Variety Review of Half-Blood Prince: Indispensable Rickman Delivers
HBP Film
Posted by: sue
July 05, 2009, 04:33 PM
Variety has now posted their review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and it contains much praise for the sixth installment in the Harry Potter film series. Noting that director David Yates "displays noticeably increased confidence here, injecting more
real-world grit into what began eight years ago as purest child's fantas," and has made a film that is "film is clear-headed and clean-lined."
The long review notes the physical changes of the cast, but does hand praise to the efforts of the adult cast members in particular making mention of the actor who plays Professor Slughorn, saying "Jim Broadbent, who makes a terrific disguised entrance and is then simply grand as the eccentric old prof." Of note however are remarks about the performance of a critical character in the film.
"It's this chapter in the Potter saga that obliges the always nasty but
ambiguously motivated Severus Snape to show his true colors, and the
indispensable Rickman delivers, as always, with line readings that are
delicacies of the infinitely mordant kind. He is periodically egged on
by the insidious Bellatrix Lestrange, a role Helena Bonham Carter plays
with such mesmerizing abandon that one hopes the role fully pays off in
the final chapter.
Among the always outstanding production values and top-drawer visual
effects, special note should be made of series newcomer Bruno
Delbonnel's exceptionally atmospheric cinematography and Nicholas
Hooper's emotionally churning score, which contains only the slightest
trace of John Williams' original themes.
Thanks Taylor!
81 Comments
510 Points
I’m having a hard time understanding how Dan being shorter than the rest of the cast has anything to do with his performance or the quality of this film what so ever. This is at least the third review/article for HBP that the writer has made a comment regarding Dan’s height. Still I’m happy about the praise for Alan and Helena. They certainly more than deserve it. I’m so excited for HBP especially after watching the HBO First Look at it yesterday which looked amazing.
406 Points
Alan Rickman is good (well, great) in everything he does. So it’s not surprising that he’s excellent as Snape in this one. My only fear was that they hadn’t shown enough of him to bring out how important his character is in this movie.
Ten more days! I have my tickets and I’m SOOOOOOO ready.
1578 Points
I am so pleased that Alan Rickman received rave reviews, they are very much deserved. He is the only actor who could ever play Snape imo. I have a been a huge fan of his since Die Hard, but even if I wasn’t, his portrayal of Snape would have made me a fan. Someone mentioned Spinner’s End and I just saw photos of Snape in his home and it looks perfect and Rickman looks wonderful. I am so excited…..
2404 Points
Pretty glowing review.
its amazing that we have been able to get all these amzing actors to be in one film series it really shows people how good our birtish actors are!
75561 Points
Rickman has made Snape into a truly believable bad guy – a detestable Snape.
523 Points
One of the true strengths of the HP saga in the movies is the skill of these seasoned actors and actresses. The ever lovely Alan Rickman is the embodiment of Snape. I am glad that Variety thinks Jim Broadbent has done a fine job as well. I have seen him in several different roles and if he can bring to Slughorn what he did at Bridget Jone’s dad, he should be excellent.
I still have my doubts about Michael Gambon, but the kick a— DD we see in the cave previews might just prove me wrong.
And sorry that Dan isn’t tall enough for the reviewer. His strength is not in his stature, but his ability to get inside Harry’s head. : P
7239 Points
Wonderful review! And so on the money!
this is gonna be one spectacular movie…and I’m already ticketed for
two showings!
WOO HOO!
433 Points
Though I’m happy Variety enjoyed the movie, I expected more from the review on the younger actors besides “Tom Felton is tall,” “Emma Watson is Hot!” and “Dang, Dan Radcliffe is short!” I really would have liked to hear more about their performances.
What is nice is that McCarthy also wrote the review for OotP in 2007, so it’s interesting to compare and contrast what he had to say about that film. He really seemed to enjoy HBP more than OotP, which has me excited, because it took me several viewings before I really appreciated that film. So Yay!
Rickman always seems to give a very good performance, remember him from Die Hard. He plays a villian so good. He would have made a great he who must not be named also.
I just hope that HBP is a much better movie than OOTP which I thought was terrible. T for Trool.
Rickman always seems to give a very good performance, remember him from Die Hard. He plays a villian so good. He would have made a great he who must not be named also.
I just hope that HBP is a much better movie than OOTP which I thought was terrible. T for Trool.
256 Points
I’m so happy to hear a good review, it makes me even more excited for the movie!!
7475 Points
Alan Rickman will always get good reviews, coz he’s amazing.
I think Maggie smith will do well in this if they keep her in the right scenes.
Helena Bonham Carter seems like the perfect Bellatrix
98 Points
Alan Rickman is the reason i bought advanced tickets, hahaha:]
Rickman always seems to give a very good performance, remember him from Die Hard. He plays a villian so well. He would have made a great he who must not be named also.
I just hope that HBP is a much better movie than OOTP which I thought was terrible. T for Trool.
I’m having a hard time understanding how Dan being shorter than the rest of the cast has anything to do with his performance or the quality of this film what so ever. This is at least the third review/article for HBP that the writer has made a comment regarding Dan’s height. Still I’m happy about the praise for Alan and Helena. They certainly more than deserve it. I’m so excited for HBP especially after watching the HBO First Look at it yesterday which looked amazing.