Preview: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

Synopsis:

The sixth film in the boy wizard series follows the origins of the boy who would become Voldemort.

• Poster: B; B-

Review:

Wizard-in-action poses seem to be part and parcel for the Potter series these days and while I like the dark, foreboding colors, there isn't much exciting to the poster, but at least it teases perfectly well.

While I like the effect, the reflection in the glasses is a little bit too cheesy or my tastes. Conceptually poor, visually well executed.

• Trailer: A; A; A; A-

Review:

I always have to preface my reviews of anything Harry Potter with the fact that I'm a fan of the book series. Now, that hasn't stopped me from being disappointed in the films. I thought the last film was the worst of the series and that's even after I found the trailer so exciting. This new trailer, however, is entirely different than anything the series has so far seen. It's dark, foreboding and tense, which is a far cry from Potter in the past. That's what makes me so excited based on this preview. It gives me an idea that the history of Tom Riddle will be at the center of the film instead of a secondary plot like many of the greatest aspects of Order of the Phoenix were. So, from this preview, this could be the best film of the series to date. We'll certainly see.

This second trailer has given the film a little more lightness, but the darkness is still there and the everpresence of magic is far more evident in this second trailer than the series is accustomed to. It looks rather fascinating simply from a visual effects standpoint. Add to the tenseness and sense of discovery in this second trailer and David Yates may prove to be one of the series' finer helmsmen.

Warner Bros. really knows how to put a trailer together for this franchise, they keep putting out great ones and this third is no exception. Establishing some terrific effects and highlighting small aspects of the story for dramatic effect works wonders as this is sure to be one of the most highly anticipated films of the Summer.

My biggest problem with this trailer (other than the fact that Apple has dropped the TV spot, making it hard to show there were 4 trailers when they only list three, but that's beside the point) is that it starts off without giving the audience a significant jolt. Although it does speed along towards the end and deliver some rather smashin effects, the early part seems more akin to a bad visual effects film, which is not typical of this series in the least.

Oscar Prospects:

The series hasn't managed to crack the top tier categories and I don't expect it to do so with this film, though by the looks of the trailer, it could at least be a conteder for Adapted Screenplay. However, the film's most likely chances lie in the categories in which the series has seen multiple nominations: Art Direction. Costume Design seems unlikely, but is possible as are Sound Mixing and Sound Editing.

Release Date:

• July 15, 2009

Full Review Synopsis:

For all its focus on teen romantic entanglements, it sure has very little to do with the Half-Blood Prince.

• Full Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

-Wesley Lovell (August 3, 2008) Original

-Wesley Lovell (August 17, 2008) New Release Date (changed from 11/21/08)

-Wesley Lovell (November 23, 2008) New Trailer

-Wesley Lovell (March 8, 2009) New Trailer

-Wesley Lovell (April 19, 2009) New Trailer; New Poster; New Release Date (changed from 7/17/09)

-Wesley Lovell (April 4, 2010) Added Review Link