I am glad I waited so long to set my thoughts about this movie down in writing, because at first I was quite upset. For instance, how did Dumbledore get to the water when he was so weak? How did he become so powerful as to create so much fire? Why, after all of Draco Malfoy’s work, did the Death Eaters only think to break some windows, and set Hagrid’s hut on fire? Wasn’t there more fighting in the book?
Since seeing the movie in theaters, I have seen it once in totality at home. I have come to terms with the first question–maybe we just don’t see Harry getting the water to Dumbledore, or, maybe Dumbledore could reach it–who knows. As to the fire–whatever, and while at first I was upset about the lack of fighting, I have, in retrospect, come to see the “frightening” window-breaking Death Eater scene as rather silly, and cannot help but wonder WHY David Yates did not, too, see the silliness. Death Eaters (including the horrendous and terrifying Greyback Fenrir) are in the castle, Dumbledore is dead, and they choose to…ruin the Great Hall?
Really?
…
Really??
…
Yep, still flabbergasted.
These things aside (though I really cannot get over the Death Eaters’ lack of destruction), I have come to decide that this might be my favorite Harry Potter movie. Tom Felton does a wonderful job as he portrays a tormented and frightened Draco. I think his overall performance is my favorite, though Daniel’s Liquid Luck scene is quite hilarious. I actually cried at Dumbledore’s death, which was a nice shift from Sirius’, and Ron was, of course, incredibly entertaining.
My two favorite aspects of the movie are as follows:
1. Harry and Hermione’s Friendship: More scenes than usual display a wonderful intimacy between Harry and Hermione devoid of sexual or romantic attraction. These friends, especially the night on the stairs, open up to each other quite seriously and sadly, finding comfort in each other from similar pain. The library scene is, on the other hand, lighthearted, but it is so in the way that two good friends are lighthearted with one another. I thought Hermione’s love for Harry, and his for her, were beautiful and moving.
2. A Non-Sexist Balance of Love and Romance: Ron and his piggish snogging aside, I enjoyed how romance and love were as important to the male characters as to the females. Even in movies or stories where men aren’t out just to “get some,” they often are not portrayed as interested in “girly love stuff” (though I really don’t know why). This movie, then, is refreshing in that sense, as Hermione’s anxiety over Ron, Ginny’s relationship with Dean Thomas, and Harry’s almost constant preoccupation with his feelings for Ginny seem to balance themselves out. To top it all off (and to discuss my favorite part), the more “normal” roles seem to be reversed in the Room of Requirement: Usually the girl is instructed to close her eyes and wait for her handsome male to bestow on her some wonderful kiss that makes her heart flutter, but in this scene, it is Harry who is surprised and clearly contented afterward, and it is Ginny who moves in and bestows the long-awaited kiss upon Harry. Harry seemed just as nervous and twitterpated as any girl, and I suddenly felt the warm comfort and hope that both boys and girls look forward with nervous, but excited, anticipation to the prospect of reciprocated love. Perhaps the males in this story are this way because their creator is a woman, but nevertheless, this aspect of the movie made me feel better about life.
Interestingly (to me, at least), one thing struck me tonight as I watched the special features with my sister: the usual mystery-solving theme of the Harry Potter movies is lacking. Yes, Harry suspects Malfoy, but not even his friends are willing to go with him on his hunch. Yes, Hermione researches the “Half-Blood Prince,” but the significance of such a person is never made clear. As Severus says, “I am the Half-Blood Prince,” I wonder, so what? Why this struck my tonight during the special features is because it is exactly the familiar mystery theme that WAS written into the movie, but was cut out. Two scenes, one where Harry sees that Draco is disappearing from the Marauder’s Map, and the other, where he, Ron, and Hermione discuss and wonder about the Vanishing Cabinets and if there are two, exude “Harry Potter.” Seeing such scenes was comforting, and I am sad they were not included. I mean, who can forget all the time spent in the library, researching Nicholas Flemel, the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, Peter Pettigrew, and so on?
Now that I mention it, I assume that mystery theme was “covered” by Harry’s adventures into memories past with Dumbledore. I guess what I miss, then, is the mystery that Harry, Ron, and Hermione solve together.
All this to say, and though I did not intend to end on a low note, I do find the movie quite enjoyable. It is funny, serious, sad, new, well-acted, and cinematically beautiful. The timing is nice, nuances in relationships refreshing, and the music lovely. I wish to watch this movie often, which is a first, as usually I just want to “watch a Harry Potter movie,” as opposed to wanting to watch a particular one for the movie itself as I do now. Well done, Cast, Production, and Crew, and thank you, very much.
