This is the sixth film in the Harry Potter series - for those who don't know, this is the film in which a lot of the questions about Harry's past, and about the boy who would become Voldemort. As things in the world outside Hogwarts get more and more dismal and dangerous, Harry's time at school becomes a focused race to work out how to fulfil his destiny as 'the chosen one'. And, as if that were not enough, he has his growing feelings for Ginny to cope with as well.

I am really impressed with just how much they managed to pack into this film - I was unimpressed with Goblet of Fire, which was also a very long book - and I was slightly worried that there would be a similar problem with Half-Blood Prince; however the director actually did a fantastic job, slimming down the many subplots without losing the texture that made this a more challenging story than the earlier films/books. One aspect of the books which i was sorry to see lost, however, was the concentration on the effects of the magical world's war on the muggle world. Apart from an excellent opening scene showing the destruction of the bridge, the muggle world does not have much of a presence in the film. On the other hand, the growing feeling of tension as the children become more aware of the adult world beyond Hogwart's walls was very well portrayed, and for the first time, I began to get a sense in the film of the relationships and networks holidng the magical community together.

The special effects were also excellent, perfecting the dark atmosphere which began in 'Prizoner of Azkaban' and was further developed in 'Order of the Pheonix'. The film makes the most of the more dismal apects of the british weather, and of an essential Victorian Britishness to portray rolling clouds, stormy seas, dark corners, and smoky shadows. I am especially fond of the protrayal of the Death Eaters as plumes of dirty black smoke - the sence of threatening movement is very convincing. I was slightly disappointed that certain items - the pensieve, for example - were portrayed differently than in earlier films, but on the whole the effect was of a world in a state of flux, rather than of a change of directorship.

As for the characterisation, Alan Rickman's performances just get better and better, as do Rupert Grint's. Grint's has developed the character of Ron Weasley amazingly, and they have done a very good job of not over-doing the growing romance between himself and Hermione. I was less impressed with some of the casting choices for the film - Jim Broadbent was very good, but he was not at all what I had pictured Slughorn being like in my head, nor did he match the delicious description from the books. Likewise, I preferred the young Tom Riddle from the second film to the one portrayed in this one. I was furthermore disappointed by the decision not to include Rufus Scrimgeour, who was one of the my favorite characters from the later books. Despite this, however, the cast is solid, and none of the old favorites disappoint.

Overall, the film is well worth seeing, especially if you have been a fan of the films thus far, and especially especially if you are not too attached to the book versions.