We're onto the sixth movie and even though I was let down on the last movie which was Order of the Phoenix, I wanted to give director David Yates another chance because I felt like his first effort did not translate well from the book into the material and the balance of the film. However, while reading some parts of the book again, the book had more mystery and intrigue surrounding Tom Riddle's past as a youth and really gets you to speculate what his plan was to become the most all-powerful wizard ever. The challenging task was to keep you intrigued by the plot starting to foil and also be enchanted by some of the humor thrown at you as raging hormones are noticeable in the book and the movie. I liked this movie more than most people because it has sumptuous magical wonder along with some light humor and interesting storytelling.
The movie opens with Death Eaters threatening London by destroying one of their bridges and also threatening Diagon Alley as they burn Ollivander's and kidnap Ollivander (John Hurt) from his store. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has been reckless and gets a date from a nice barista but Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) apparates into the train station to get Harry to visit former Potions professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) to come back to Hogwarts and he reluctantly agrees. Dumbledore tells Harry to get along with Slughorn to find the truth surrounding Tom Riddle because he retains a memory that is critical to Voldemort's defeat. Dumbledore then takes Harry to the Burrow, where Harry reunites with Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson).
Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes does not appear in this movie) has chosen Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) for a secret mission. His mother, Narcissa (Helen McCrory) and Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) meet with Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) as they make an Unbreakable Vow, a vow that gets you to be fully sworn by your promise or you die, to protect Draco and fulfill his assignment if he fails. Even though Harry, Ron and Hermione spies on Malfoy and a few others at Borgin and Burkes, Harry believes that Malfoy is now a Death Eater after taking part in a ceremony.
At Hogwarts, on their first class day, Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) implores Harry and Ron to take Potions because Slughorn accepts anybody with an "Exceeds Expectations" or higher. (It is merely a minimum grade as a prerequisite.) They are both forced to borrow Sloghorn's textbooks but Harry gets a worn-out but useful textbook as it is full of useful notes and useful spells as he begins to impress Slughorn with a perfect potion.
On a lighter storyline, Ron has a girl on his heels as Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave) is drawing his attention. Ron tries out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team and becomes a Keeper for the team. He does form a romantic relationship with Lavender after winning the match. Hermione is upset by the relationship which gets Harry to console her after she "attacks" Ron. It is revealed that Hermione does know that Harry has a crush on Ron's younger sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright).
This is one of the few movies that I was particularly involved and engaged in the mystery whereas half of the movies in the franchise I purely enjoy the movie because of the magic and the camaraderie between the characters. However, there is more engagement with the mystery than the characters because we, the audience, know that there will be darker times lying ahead and we will probably not like the outcome. The scenes in the pensieve do takes its time as Tom Riddle as a young child is particularly interesting as he is talking with both Dumbledore and Slughorn regarding his talent as a wizard and Horcruxes. And, the green, bright cinematography embodies the foreshadowed evil that will bring upon Harry and all the other people in the wizarding world real well.
I want to praise cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel for capturing both the illuminating light magic surrounding the characters and Hogwarts and the hidden evil that will probably doom Hogwarts. Most of each frame of the movie is captivating although at times I felt that they become too dark like I cannot see much of the shot during a sequence. (Oh, we will get to that in later reviews.)
The performances are more centered and well-noticed as Radcliffe, Grint and Watson display their vulnerable state during a dark time but also somewhat displaying their chemistry with each other more as they grow up. But, Tom Felton is the MVP of this movie as we focus more on his character as we know in the beginning that he is chosen for the task and is willing to live up to it. But, later, his character evolves into a more wounded and worrisome state as he had almost killed a student and has to kill Dumbledore for Voldemort. His character evolves and devolves within that movie and it is fascinating. Jim Broadbent brings a lighter character into the movie with wit and humor.
Also, I liked that this latest installment does not become darker but retreats into a more humorous tone in little moments like McGonagall confronting the three students asking, "Why is it when something happens, it is always you three?", or the moment when Cormac vomits on Snape's feet or the first Potions scene or when Ron and Harry discusses Hermione's and Ginny's skin.
But, the subtle humor somewhat is differentiated with the material regarding the romantic chemistry, especially between Harry and Ginny. The chemistry just suddenly is brought up and does not grow with us in this movie because it is too brief. However, it is a nice scene when Harry has to console Hermione as she is devastated by Lavender's and Ron's kiss. The pacing does drag in a few scenes especially the climatic scene where they get in the cave. I felt there was not much suspense as I have realized watching it again. Nevertheless, I think that is a particularly well-made and well-acted film that disguises the darker tone with the humor regarding their hormones and other repetitive factors that was well established in the previous films. Plus, the mystery and even the music by Nicholas Hooper amps up the film's presentation up a notch with a nearly magical movie.
***1/2
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