The Harry Potter

CAST: Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Rupert Grint

THE sixth installment of the Harry Potter series The Half-Blood Prince is adapted from British novelist J.K. Rowling's penultimate novel. The eponymous schoolboy still in owlish spectacles as he hits 17 is back in another epic adventure. He and his cute juvenile leads are all grown up but still manage to mesmerise. 

As Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort) tightens his grip on both the Muggle and the wizarding worlds, Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) suspects Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to be a new Death Eater recruit on a special mission for the Dark Lord. He also feels that perils may lie in Hogwarts. In the meantime, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) seems to have finally removed the shroud of secrecy from Harry (Voldemort's darkest weapon - the Horcrux) and about the dark path that lies ahead, and instead provides private lessons to get him prepared. Dumbledore also recruits his old friend and colleague Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) for this. In between there is romance brewing for Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), Hermione (Emma Watson) and their classmates. But above all this the danger is imperative, to them and Hogwarts. The dark past of Tom Riddle (a.k.a. Voldemort) is finally revealed in an adventure-filled epic.  Harry and Hermione still try to focus on being teenagers, and audiences will enjoy the budding romances. All the actors have developed nicely, giving their most convincing performances to date. A lot of special effects, sound effects and eerie scenes play around the film. Look out for the scene in which Potter approaches his final confrontation with Voldemort, the wizardly battles resembling Lord of the Rings. For those who haven't read the book, nail-biting entertainment is guaranteed. The film is full of tricks and conceits that will delight Potter aficionados. Like the Narnia series, the Harry Potter movies are a cinematic wonder, target the right group and have been loved right from their beginning in 2001.

Bonus features include additional scenes, J.K. Rowling: A Year In The Life (a well structured documentary on Rowling), a sneak peek at the to-be-launched Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort and cast members in one minute talk drills.

— Verus Ferreira