In fact, Warner Bros. has announced that J.K. Rowling’s mammoth seventh and final novel in the series will be made into two more movies, not merely one— due out in 2010 and 2011. It has been fun to watch the character development of both the young and older actors in this serial over these years, and I must say that I find this sixth movie the most satisfying thus far, as a movie. We could debate the merits of the novels vs. the movie, and how good the adaptation is of the novels, but I think it is fair to say that the movies stick pretty close to the fabric and spirit of the novels, and this movie does an especially good job of that. It seems almost hilarious now to think back about the near hysteria these novels and movies caused in some conservative Christian circles years back because there were fears they would lead impressionable children over to the dark side of the force (to mix movie metaphors for a moment).
What makes this movie the best of the bunch thus far? Firstly the plot line is neat and clean. Among other things we are set on a journey to try and discover who the heck the half blood prince is in this movie, and why he is called that. Well at least the movie helps us with half of the answer. Along the way we have the usual tales of Harry and Hermione and Ron and the ups and downs of raging teen hormones, mixed in with their on going education in white magic and the usual fun bits such as the game of quidditch. The special effects are truly special in this movie, and like all good movies there is often so rich a texture to some of the scenes that you feel you must see the movie again to catch all the nuances. There is plenty of humour in this movie, as a sort of comic relief from the unrelenting darkness which hovers around and breaks through in the plot from time to time. Thank goodness. Especially hilarious is the portrayal of how young infatuation makes fools of its victims.
In the imaginary world of J.K. Rowling’s very fertile mind (and you might want to catch the special on her tonight on the television) there is indeed such a thing as real evil and real good in the world, and so all these Potter tales are at the end of the day morality plays in which children are being taught the differences. The problem of course is, and Rowling does not sugar coat it, that human beings are capable of either grand good or woeful wickness, and there are many things in the world to tempt one in either direction. None of this nonsense of “we are all basically good and well intended” in Rowling’s world, and I am glad for that. It strikes such a contrast with some earlier fiction in the English-speaking world where one might have gotten the impression that evil is just accidental harm, or something good that unintentionally had a bad effect. No indeed. In the world of Harry Potter evil is evil, and it must be fought, resisted, thwarted or else the good cannot succeed or prevail. This is a world more akin to Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, than say Dicken’s Christmas Carol.
Here is the synopsis provide by Warner Bros. of this particular movie:
“Voldemort is
tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and
Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that
dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent
upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast
approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s
defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and
colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor
Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile,
the students are under attack from a very different adversary as
teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and
more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has
decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn’t counted on Romilda
Vane’s chocolates! And then there’s Hermione, simpering with jealously
but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one
student remains aloof. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark
one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never
be the same again.” –© Warner Bros
The new character in this film that the splendid Dumbledore (who increasingly resembles Gandalf in the Lord of Rings in both character and form) invites to return to teach at Hogwarts, is one Professor Slughorn. Now Slughorn is a teacher of potions, including love potions, and so indeed things can quickly go awry when those things get in the wrong teenage hands. But Slughorn also had early contact with and was the teacher of Tom Riddle (aka Voldemort). And he does indeed have vital information Harry needs to complete his tasks as the Chosen One. I will not spoil the story by revealing too much but I would especially encourage the attentive viewer to pay especial attention to the development in the character of both the young Mr. Malfoi (which of course means bad faith) and Severus Snape as well. There are some surprises along the way.
And what we learn is that in Rowling’s moral world, great evil can only be countered by great sacrifice on the part of the good. It involves both blood and death, not merely half-blood and venom. And therein lies the difference between evil and good— one takes lives and extracts blood to enact its ends, the other gives life and sheds its own blood to do so. As the Bible says, “the life is in the blood” but whose life, and what blood, and to what ends? It is not enough to be born a half-blood prince, for really princely behavior involves what you do with the life blood that you have. Stay tuned for a grand conclusion.
BW3
posted July 16, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Nice review. I already hoped to get to the theater soon to see this one. Your review has me doubly excited.
posted July 17, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I have seen it and it’s just as good as Ben has said. I wished they dealt with the “Half-Blood Prince” Story a little more but it was very well done.
One question Ben: Have you read the book and you opinions on them?
One book that’s good for Christians is “Looking for God in Harry Potter” by John Granger. It shows the Christian elements in the stories and does it very well.
posted July 17, 2009 at 8:04 pm
I think Rowling writes well, but she tends to be too voluminous and in drastic need of some more editing. I would say in terms of creative imagination she is very very gifted. Of course she is not trying to write ‘the great British novel’. It is not haut literateur and has no pretensions of being such. As children’s or young adults stories I think they are very fine, and actually more creative than the Narnia ones. She is closer to Tolkien in scope, spirit, and the narrative exploration of good vs. evil. It is an interesting thing to compare her novels to those of Charles Williams, another of the Inklings, which are even more supernatural.
BW3
posted July 20, 2009 at 7:34 am
The young people will buy the books and watch the movies. Some will
not agree or approve of the movies. It is left to anyone who has an
imagination for adventure. It is a fictional story. You don’t have to
change your beliefs to enjoy the movie.
Many years ago,books were burned to keep the people from knowing
anything. It is your choice and no one will keep you from watching
the movies or reading the books. Enjoy it.
posted July 20, 2009 at 7:55 am
I did a double-take when the trailer came out, as to whether that was Ian McKellan reprising his Gandalf, having strayed into the wrong story. But he and several other LOTR actors are supposed to be back for Peter Jackson’s 2011 “The Hobbit.”
posted July 20, 2009 at 8:13 am
My husband promised to take me to see ‘Harry Potter’ this week and I am looking forward to it. My children have already seen it and it is killing them to not be able to tell me anything. We have all read the books(except my husband but he likes the movies)and have agreed that it is one of the best book series out there(coming in second to Narnia). Though I have heard mixed reviews I intend to make my own opinion but I do appreciate your review as it has me more eager to see the film.
Though I am a Christian, I am not one of those parents that shield my boys from the real world, nor do I overly censor what they read. I think these books have really shown them the difference between real evil and real goodness and after reading one of these books they are always full of questions that I am always ready to answer. Again thank you for your review and I look forward to seeing the movie.
posted July 20, 2009 at 8:19 am
I am dismayed to read your review. The fact that these books are well written, (I have read them all, except the last, I have not been a Christian very long)
The Israelites were forbidden to practice witchcraft or even tolerate a witch in the entire nation. Anyone found practicing witchcraft was to be stoned. Act 19:19 Those in Ephesus who believed after hearing Paul preach burned their books on sorcery, to the tune of millions of dollars worth! James 4:7 COMMANDS us to oppose the devil and he will flee from you. Entertaining ourselves with books and moveies on witches, vampires and occult matters is hardly walking in obedience to this command.
The enemy is VERY smart, even talented. He will not attract Gods people with poorly written or directed “fiction” He knows it must be very well done, or it will be no temptation for us. I would encourage ALL of Gods people to ask themselves, would I feel comfortable having that book or DVD on the endtable if Jesus walked into my house? And is he not already there? I hope so! But we must be careful to avoid being deceived by the one who would devour us.
Disobedience will cause I to miss the voice of our shepherd and give the enemy opportunity to gain strongholds in our lives.
posted July 20, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Hi: The Bible is opposed to black magic, aka witchcraft. It is certainly not opposed to the use of supernatural or special powers in the service of the good. There is a huge difference, like the difference between miracles and magic. Harry Potter and the good guys in these novels are not witches, nor on the side of evil in any way.
Blessings,
Ben W,
posted July 20, 2009 at 4:18 pm
What a load of rubish. These books and movies do nothing but make a statement that good can vanquish evil if the people involved are willing to do what is needed to stand together and overcome the forces of darkness. They may say that it is magic but what it is more about is faith that good is triumphent over evil. They teach lessons in morality which is more than can be said for most families today and they teach children that it is cool to stand with your friends and infulence them to give their best to stop wrong doing regardless of weather it is the popular thing to do, it is the right thing to do.
posted July 20, 2009 at 5:12 pm
It might we worth adding that all the Inklings including Lewis and Tolkien and Williams all would disagree with the post under the header ‘Your Name’. What’s wrong with this picture?
BW3
posted July 21, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Actually, the Harry Potter books teach more than just basic morality and “good verses evil.” Just like the Narnia Chronicles (which are one of J.K. Rowling’s favorite books), there are definite Christian themes in it that are only made obvious in the seventh book. (Trying to be spoiler-free here.)
Through the first six books Harry has been sort of getting along with a childlike faith in Dumbledore. But this was just to set up book seven, where Harry only succeeds when he exercises a mature faith/ trust in Dumbledore despite what his eyes and reason tell him.
Also, someone has to die to secure salvation, and then there is resurrection on the other side. Though, unlike Aslan or Frodo who die as Christ-figures, I believe the person who “dies” at the climax of book seven does NOT symbolize Christ’s death but rather the “death to sin” (Romans 6) of the Christian, in keeping with the whole “faith” theme that dominates the book.
In book seven she quotes two Bible verses in the chapter “Godric’s Hollow” that are sort of giveaways- Matthew 6:21 and 1 Corinthians 15:26.
In an interview in 2000, Rowling hinted that she was keeping her personal religious beliefs secret so as not to blow the ending of the series. From what I have seen, she would not be labeled an Evangelical, but so what? Lewis was Anglican and Tolkien was Catholic, but that hasn’t stopped many Evangelicals from admiring their work.
I found the first three movies to be better than the books, because the books were written more on a child’s level. However, starting with book four, the movies seem to fall way short of the books, including the latest.
God bless you,
Chuck
posted July 22, 2009 at 6:46 am
‘simpering with jealousy’? Surely that’s a typo! How about ‘simmering’?
I would agree with most of the discussion on the morality of the Potter books, but the main thing I have had to discuss with my kids is the ends-justifies -the-means philosophy of Harry & his friends.
Harry continually breaks school (& other wizarding) rules, but it’s all OK in the end, because they did it for the right reasons… I know there would be no story if he was always a good boy & stayed in his dorm, but I have found that to be a more concerning issue in the books than the witchcraft stuff.
Thanks BW3 for your excellent blog – and I always appreciate your movie reviews!
posted July 22, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I liked your review, and I think Rowlings did a wonderful job when she wrote the “Harry Potter” books. The movies just brought out the special effects, and that, in my opinion, was more pleasing to the eye.