Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince is the best film in a series that has been constantly getting better as the series progresses. It's gorgeous to look at, emotionally satisfying, and stands alone as a triumph. It's definitely one of the best movies of the year.
The biggest difference from this one and the last film is that there is a lot of comedy (just like in the book). I do believe the comic relief (which consists of plenty teenage romance) in the film will split some people's opinion on the movie. Some will love it and laugh hysterically while others will wonder why such goofiness was put into an otherwise dark and haunting story. I happen to be in the former category and I'll tell you why. Too much darkness isn't always a good thing and it reminds us that these characters are just like us. They experience first loves and crushes, wonder about the opposite sex, and long to be with the ones they love. The film captures the hormones raging through teenagers wonderfully, and even manages some truly emotional moments from it. And the people who complain that Ginny and Harry's first kiss is different and in a different location from the book are just nitpicking. Who cares WHERE it happens as long as it does? The worst films in the franchise (which are still pretty decent) were the ones that put every detail possible into the movie and suffered pacing issues because of it. I've never been one to complain about what isn't there, because it's what's there that matters most.
I've heard people complain about some of the things added into the film as well, including an attack on the Weasley's house. It serves a couple purposes and I'm glad they added it in. At that point in the film there has been a significant amount of time without any real threat (except those hormones) and it reasserts that threat. It also makes it clear that nowhere is safe, including places they live. It helps the pacing of the film, simple as that. Not everyone will agree of course, but this is what I believe.
The performances and technical aspects of the film are also of extremely high quality and easily the best in the series so far. The visual effects are absolutely breathtaking, and along with the cinematography, make everything old new again. Even Hogwarts isn't safe anymore, and they show it brilliantly. The young actors have taken to these parts and have an easy chemistry between them. Daniel Radcliffe is the best of the bunch, but I don't think any of them hits a bad note the whole time. Rupert Grint is hilarious and serves as the comic relief throughout much of the film while Emma Watson's Hermione finally starts falling in love with Ron and shows it well. Jim Broadbent is the newest member of the cast and practically walks away with it. He looks so at home as Slughorn. He's simply brilliant. I give props to Michael Gambon as Dumbledore too, who has made the character his own and managed to pull at my heartstrings with his final few scenes. Alan Rickman is also wonderful as always playing Severus Snape. His casting for that role has done wonders for the series. You can do a roll call with the rest of the cast. They are the who's who of British acting.
When it comes down to it, I find Half-Blood Prince to be the crowning achievement of the series so far. The final few scenes absolutely do the book justice and are the most emotionally fulfilling moments they have captured. The series is in good hand with David Yates and I look forward to the rest of the series with bated breath.
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