The 6th chapter of the Harry Potter saga is finally showing now in all 300 theaters in the Philippines, plus 2 IMAX theaters. I was at the press screening of Harry Potter and the Half Blood prince IMAX Theater screening at the SM Mall of Asia with the movie bloggers, the event was packed with medias, guests and members of the fan group Hogwarts Philippines. Thanks to Warner Bros. for inviting us to watch another movie hit this July 2009.
read more below for my review
The movie revolves around the mission of Harry Potter and prepares for the final battle with the Dark Lord, he is guided by Professor Dumbledore to learn more of the enemy and investigate the deadly secrets of the origin of Voldemort. That's the best part of all movie, when Harry Potter is having hard times and act like your own superhero as being the chosen ONE, I was hoping that there will be more action in this film, but it is more information overload about each character and revelations on what will happen next. The last movie, Order of the Phoenix is much more action packed than the Half Blood Prince, and because that it is a turning point and an opening act for the final chapter Deathly Hallows.
The movie has lots of kissing, hugging, comedy, romantic scenes, dark revelations, evil and more magic. After watching the movie, I found myself craving for some ice cream hehee, you'll find it out why after watching it. I'm not a fan of the book, but I'm more fan of the movie since it began, but because of this movie I might even grab the book Deathly Hallows and read it ( since we have here in the library and never been touched after buying it on its launch years ago). I'm not sure if the movie will bring people to read books again, but I have a feeling that non-fans and non-followers of the story might get some problems in dealing with the storyline, but for Harry Potter fans and followers of the story will enjoy well watching Half Blood Prince. I already received some short reviews from friends who just watched it last Monday and they say that they are not satisfied and not happy in the ending. I think they are expecting on much of last part and never expected that there will be another movie following it.
The next movie Deathly Hallows will be in two parts, one will be released on November 2010 and followed by part on June 2011. Wow! that's a long time to wait. I'm excited on the next installment, but before that...I should read the book.
the IMAX 3D experience of the movie is at the 1st 12 minutes of the film. I love the feel and effects of the introduction of the title and even the logo of Warner Bros. drives me to wow infront of the large crowd. The scenes of the IMAX 3D is breath taking, I just wished that they develop it in full 3D, because it is much more fun to see the scenes in 3D effects, I just love the flying Death Eaters and a roller coaster-like view in 3D. The IMAX 3D is for fans of 3D effects and IMAX, I enjoyed it so much and for a price of P400 here in the Philippines is okay if you are a fan of IMAX, but if not, a better and good cinema is recommended.
The visuals and cinematography of the movie is the one you should watch out for. All angles and scenes are being used and you should try to observe on some happenings on the background of a scene, because there's a story there and you'll experience turning your heads from left to right ( if you are in IMAX or in a big cinema ).
Director David Yates really did a good job on the treatment of this movie, same thing he did to Order of the Phoenix and together with David Heyman, the producer of all of the Harry Potter films, produced the film, together with David Barron. Screenwriter Steve Kloves, who scripted the first four installments of the film franchise, adapted the screenplay based on the book by J.K. Rowling. Lionel Wigram served as executive producer, with John Trehy co-producing.
Also collaborating with them is two-time Oscar®-nominated director of photography Bruno Delbonnel (“A Very Long Engagement,” “Amelie”) lensed his first Harry Potter film. The behind-the-scenes team also reunites such Harry Potter veterans as production designer Stuart Craig, editor Mark Day, composer Nicholas Hooper, visual effects supervisor Tim Burke, and costume designer Jany Temime.
The saga continues, and great to see more of Ginny Weasley and Draco Malfoy in this movie.
For my rating, I'll give it a 4 out of 5 bananas.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” is being distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”: An IMAX 3D Experience—digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® through proprietary IMAX DMR® technology—will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures nationwide on July 29th (with select theatres in Los Angeles and New York opening on July 15th). Using IMAX’s revolutionary live action 2D to 3D conversion technology, the movie’s opening sequence has been transformed into IMAX 3D. The film will also be shown completely in IMAX 2D in select locations without IMAX® 3D capability. With crystal clear images, laser-aligned digital sound and maximized field of view, IMAX provides the world’s most immersive movie experience.
www.harrypotter.co.uk
check out my photo coverage of the event in my album at Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - IMAX press screening at SM MOA
