![]() ![]() But when it happens in the movie, my eyes started watering. It's a moment so grand and shocking that it has almost become comedic and has no emotional resonance as it has become the prime example of the an unforgettable moment rendered meaningless through mockery and infamy. The most famous moment and the biggest "spoiler" of the series is Snape killing Dumbledore. If you need any more convincing that this is "Harry Potter" perfected, I will leave you with this: Only the most thick-headed of die-hard fans would criticize this film for having to deal with the necessary reduction required of any adaptation. It's a foreknowledge that all of the actors possess (I'd be surprised at any who hadn't read the final book), but it provides an incomparable gravity to Rickman's performance. It's a performance aided, in no small part, to knowing where his character ends in "Deathly Hallows". Here, he brings the full gravity and strength of Snape and hearing every word drip from his lips is mesmerizing. ![]() He even gets to crack an occasional joke, which is a welcome reprieve from the dour Dumbledore of the past few films.Īlan Rickman has been perfectly cast as Severus Snape ever since the first film, and like Felton, he too had stumbled into a bit of a comedic relief role. His voice is no longer remote, but reassuring. And through this coldness, Gambon's Dumbledore finally finds a heart. He knows he won't live to see the final battle and that the most important thing he can do with his remaining time is to serve as a guide to Harry and prepare the young wizard for what's to come. This time, however, his emotional coldness finds a place as we see Dumbledore as a man resigned to fate. He was always missing the warmth and kindness that the late Richard Harris brought to the role in the first two films. ![]() I have to admit great trepidation going into the film as I've always found Gambon's Dumbledore lacking. While the cynics may snidely wonder who among these three will transition to other roles beyond the "Harry Potter" franchise, we should all be pulling for them to continue acting because it's clear they have a lot to offer. That is not to disparage Rowling's writing but what she accomplished in words, these astonishing young actors have accomplished through performance and dedication. They are no longer chasing Rowling's words but rather have shaped and molded these characters into people of our world. I look back on those discussions and laugh because no recasting could compare to the payoff of watching these actors mature. This film belongs to the trio of Harry, Hermoine, and Ron and I remember years ago when there were discussions about whether these actors would have to be recast if they outgrew their characters' ages. Every actor knows his or her character inside and out and they are no longer giving performances they inhabit the role completely. There's no feeling cheated or wishing the script included more of Supporting Character X. ![]() It's not really fair to call it a disappointment since the books, with the heart-wrenching wait between each one, built up unfair expectations (although I remain impressed at Rowling's stunning conclusion for "Deathly Hallows"), and as a book, it's a bit too roundabout and it's not until you remove those expectations that you realize that this is the calm before the storm.Įvery performance in this film, no matter how minor, is an absolute joy. It's more of a detour, choosing to lounge about with the characters as they go through various personal trials and tribulations while the any progression in the main plot is to provide all of Voldemort's backstory through Harry and Dumbledore collecting various memories and trying to unlock the mystery of defeating the dark wizard. I say "least favorite" of the books because plot-wise, it's a bit of a screeching halt to the momentum built up from "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". It may be my least favorite of the books but the latest film in the series is easily its best yet and one of the best movies of the year. It is the culmination of six books, four directors, scores of actors who have devoted the last decade of their lives to playing a single character, and teams of artisans bringing J.K. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is a masterpiece six films in the making. ![]()
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