(2009) Is Harry Potter the One? Following a terrorist strike by the Death-Eaters, just prior to his sixth year at Hogwarts, the school that teaches gifted students how to use and control magic, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliff) is apparated from his date with a waitress at the command and touch of Professor Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon).

Dumbledore's mission (a most crucial one) is to convince Professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) to return to Hogwarts to teach potions, though there is a deeper motive in wanting the former instructor back on campus. Meanwhile, Professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) at the instigation of Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter)and the commandment of the Dark Lord makes an unbreakable vow with Narcissa Malfoy to assist and protect her son Draco (Tom Felton) in the assassination of Dumbledore, promising to perform the deed himself if need be.

Harry and his two best friends, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grind), must once again risk their lives in mysterious and magical adventures, directed by David Yates, from J.K. Rowling's fantasy novel (screenplay by Steve Kloves). Adolescent infatuations play a large part in the story, including Ginny Weasley's (Bonnie Wright) developing affection for Harry.

Enrolled in Prof Slughorn's course, Harry finds an advanced text for making potions with extremely helpful annotations by its previous owner, the Half-Blood Prince; the brightest student in class also earns a precious prize of liquid luck. After he provides Ron with a performance-enhancing potion for a game of quidditch, the victory's champion becomes Lavender Brown's romantic obsession, bruising his lips with snogging. Further, a love potion nearly does Ron in. All the while Hermione is wracked with jealousy.

From Dumbledore's collection of Voldemort's memories, contained in vials, Harry learns of Tom Riddle's past in connection with Prof Slughorn. Along with the dark forces attempting to penetrate the castle at Hogwarts, Draco stealthily visits a vanishing cabinet at Bogin and Burke's, though its purpose remains vague.

Dumbledore (very much looking like Tolkien's Gandalf) once again enlists Harry on a dangerous journey in which he gives his young prodigy strict instructions to obey whatever command is given.

With the possible exception of the first movie in the series, this may be the one, the best so far. I enjoyed this entertainment the most for its high visual quality, narrative thrust, and decent acting; but then, unlike other critics who expressed much displeasure at so much being left out, especially the ending without a battle scene from the novel, I (obviously a muggle) haven't read the book.

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Copyright © 2009 Patrick Ivers. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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