But not this time. With Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, we did not get a never-ending series of thrills, no transportation to another world. More importantly, Harry himself was a little lackluster. I’ve come to know Harry as a talented lad who has grown increasingly angry and somewhat disturbed. He was prone to outbursts and borderline self-destructive behavior. My understanding is that the book continues along that vein. However, in this latest movie, we don’t see any further development of his character, whether it be the continuation or progression of his anger, nor do we see a resolution of his anger or growth in character. I was surprised at his low frustration level when he tried to warn Dumbeldore and friends of Snape’s and Malfoy’s treachery. Instead Potter was a fairly mellow magician who still saves the day and occasionally follows young Malfoy around.

And I have to agree with Staingirl Kaye. The title of the movie is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. SPOILER ALERT FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NEITHER READ THE BOOK NOR SEEN THE MOVIE: There was some buildup of the Half-Blood Prince as Harry begins experimenting with the potions he found in a book which belonged to a mysterious Half-Blood Prince. These potions were incredibly potent, and eventually Potter found out they were dangerous. They also contained a hand written spell “for enemies”. So who is this Half-Blood Prince? What makes him a Half-Blood Prince? Whatever happened to him? If he is a prince, what is he a prince of? How and why did he come up with these potions? The audience grows excited to learn more about this prince who shares billing with Harry Potter. And all we got was a muttered “Oh, so you think you can use my own spells against me?” from Snape. And that was the end of that story line. We received no explanation of how Snape came to be known as a Half-Blood Prince or what it means.

Please don’t get me wrong. There were still some enjoyable spots. I always love watching Hermione and Ron doing their little love dance. Harry was cute as he started to develop interest in a girl. And let’s not forget he whose name cannot be spoken. The audience got to know young Tom Riddle, who would one day become Lord Voldemort. We learned how he came to Hogwarts, and that he was indeed already a twisted child. And it was great to see that Malfoy had a little depth to him – he was not all evil.

Overall, I disagree with my buddy, Staingirl Kaye. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince still managed to entertain. It just didn’t have the same edge that prior Harry Potter movies had. Let’s hope that the final two installments deliver more.