HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE

RYAN: Last Thursday night will go down as one of the best evenings of my life. We covered the red carpet and attended the screening of the North American premiere of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” I still have not fully recovered.

CAROLINE: I know, honey. I was with you. It was definitely an exciting night, and it’s always cool to get to go to a premiere; and this one was at the famed Ziegfeld Theater in New York City no less. The entire cast was there, and we got to chat with a good number of them.

RYAN: It was so exciting. The red carpet was glammed to the max and sassy… but let’s talk about the movie. It’s clearly gonna do gangbusters around the world. It’s a fabulous new installment to the franchise, and it’s doubly exciting since we had to wait so long for it after it got pushed back from last November.

CAROLINE: It’s a really good, well-made movie, but it’s much heavier and darker than the previous ones. I kind of like it better when they’re all at Hogwarts doing fun things like the Tri-Wizard Tournament. This movie has much less Hogwarts antics in it.

RYAN: It’s really funny though. I laughed out loud several times. And I loved all the romance going on; all the kids snogging each other… which is British for kissing.

CAROLINE: It did have several funny moments, but it really felt different to me from the previous films. It’s a lot more serious, and more about good vs. evil.

RYAN: Well, the previous ones have all been a build up to the return of Voldemort, who we don’t see in this movie other than in flashbacks as a young’un. So now they’re getting ready for the ultimate showdown… the end of the series. I’m so glad there are two more movies left, not just one.

CAROLINE: I love seeing how the kids have grown up. Remember how tiny Dan Radcliffe was in the first one? But they all look great now and have pubertized nicely… especially Emma Watson.

RYAN: Please. She’s gorge. This is the first movie where Tom Felton aka Draco Malfoy has a substantial part, and he was great. And Dan Radcliffe has truly become a fine actor. The nuances of his performance have risen to new heights. Also, this film was shot after we got the news that Dumbledore is gay, and I felt like I could tell in Michael Gambon’s performance that he was a little bit softer.

CAROLINE: This movie is just so well done; it’s almost beyond a movie. It really transports you into another world. The story is so incredible. This world that J.K. Rowling has created is really amazing.

RYAN: Brilliant. They totally have the sets and the costumes down to a science now. The cinematography is fantastic. Almost every shot is iconic unto itself.

CAROLINE: Obviously, Alan Rickman is phenomenal. I love the way he draws out his S’s as Snape.

RYAN: Jessie Cave, the girl who played Lavender Brown, was a complete scene stealer; as was Evanna Lynch portraying Luna Lovegood. Poor Neville Longbottom has nary a line in this movie.

CAROLINE: I noticed that! I was like, “Who’s that guy again in the background? He looks so familiar.” Then I had to ask you his name. He had a lot more to do in previous HP films.

RYAN: I also felt like Hermione had much bigger parts in the last two or three films. This time, she’s barely part of the adventure at all. But I love the guy who plays Cormac McLaggen, who has a crush on her. He’s so hot. Robert Pattinson who?

CAROLINE: Oh please. He wasn’t that cute. Robert P. is so much sexier and less blond.

RYAN: I also still loved Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix and Jim Broadbent as Slughorn. This is my favorite performance of his since “Moulin Rouge!”

CAROLINE: I’m a little surprised this movie is PG and not PG-13. There were a couple of very frightening images that totally creeped me out. This is a heavy movie. Younger kids might be a little lost.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: I love these movies more than anything. I’ve already seen this one twice, and will definitely see it many more times in the theater. I wish they could have had a few more Tom Riddle flashbacks. There were some scenes I remember reading and thinking, “I can’t wait to see how they realize this in the film” that never materialize here. And yet it is a very long movie… even feeling slow in parts. But clearly, it’s a must see on the big screen with the effects and everything.

CAROLINE: It’s very well made and fantastic to look at. It’s a great addition to the franchise. But it’s quite long and intense. I liked it, but I’ve enjoyed some of the previous HP films more.

RYAN: Everyone’s gonna go see this movie. You’re crazy if you don’t!

— RATING —