‘Half-Blood’ Heartache

Hogwarts is irrevocably changed in the latest installment, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” as the young mage faces new perils and discovers terrible truths. The sixth Harry Potter film manages to capture the previous movies’ foreboding atmosphere, and is replete with beautifully shot visuals. The story is distinctly grim in parts and firmly establishes the rivalry between Harry and Draco Malfoy, as well as new romantic bonds between several schoolmates. Yes, young, awkward love can be funny, especially with stalker-ish and reckless behavior.

But the lovestruck characters’ romance scenarios eventually become tiresome and quite uninteresting. Still, the film ends on a serious note; the last scene is reminiscent of “The Empire Strikes Back’s” cliffhanger parting shot, where the main characters appear vulnerable and unsure of the future.

Turning points, escalating enmities, and betrayal most foul--the saga has gone dour, but heroism, growth, and evolving bonds are ever-present in the slowly paced but effective “Half-Blood Prince.”