The Hogwarts kids have certainly grown up fast in this latest film in the Harry Potter franchise. The series has always threatened to get better by getting darker (or so the fans have insisted when previous outings have failed to excite the casual cinemagoer) but this time they might be onto something… and it’s all backed up by the most assured performances to date.
Returning for his sixth year at Hogwarts School, Harry Potter (Radcliffe) is reunited with his friends Hermione and Ron (Emma Watson and Rupert Grint). On his way though Harry is required to enlist former teacher Horace Slughorne back to the school and obtain vital information for Dumbledore (Gambon). Harry remains oblivious to the growing danger around him as he continues with the normal teenage pursuits (and some education) as he is attracted to Ginny Weasley whilst watching his two best friends get closer as well. Things seem to be pretty normal (for an establishment specialising in training witches and wizards) until Lord Voldermort’s influence is felt.

Draco Malfoy continues to play up to his role as Potter’s nemesis and this year he has an even more dastardly mission to complete, seemingly aided by one of the other teachers. Professor Snape has promised to protect Malfoy at any cost, but exactly how far will he go? Will Dumbledore be able to solve the riddle of Voldermort’s past before it is too late. Will Ron, Hermione and Harry be able to tell their true feeling for one another? Will anybody care after 150mins and six films to come back for two more?

Well actually yes you will care (you need to find out the other answers for yourself). The story progress’s differently to previous installments and it works well as a cinematic experience. As likable as Robbie Coltrane is, his character has always felt unimportant and irrelevant to the film series and he is given a backseat here. Instead the introduction of Jim Broadbent’s more interesting Horace Slughorne adds some mystery and intrigue to proceedings. Gambon is also on cracking form, especially in the dramatic final act… you probably ALL know what happens, but we won’t spoil it here: suffice to say the finale has some genuine impact which has been lacking from some of the earlier films.

The younger actors also do a great job. Grint has cut down on the gurning and manages to give us some great comedic moments which work well with Watson’s more serious approach. She really is the stand-out from all the regulars, but unlike previous installments no one lets the side down. Draco Malfoy might not have the same amount of screen time to fully judge his performance, but it wasn’t noticeably bad which is an improvement.

The film opens with a fantastic sequence combining the ‘real’ world with the fantasy environment J.K Rowling has elaborately created. This is a short segment, and hopefully has the potential to be expanded in future installments, pity it wasn’t used more extensively before. The idea of having these teenage characters actually acting as we know they would is also a great touch… it might go on for far too long in the opening half of the story, but it allows for some genuine drama and laughs as well as a chance to see some proper acting.

As always with this series you’ll wish they used Alan Rickman more. He is suitably sinister throughout and makes for a perfect foil to the buttoned down Dumbledore and delirious Helena Bonham Carter. The film is certainly darker in tone yet still feels far too long, the ever-present Quidditch match feels even more unnecessary here seemingly only included to show off some expensive special effects. That said, for this year at least, Harry Potter proves to be more than a match for the other big Blockbusters we’ve seen so far.

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By: Mike Edwards