- I’m disappointed in myself that I was oblivious to this film’s (readily apparent) beauty until this most recent rewatch. It’s been the biggest revelation for me rewatching the series of films— I think I’ve seen enough of David Yates as director (good—but nothing special) to attribute the artistic triumph of the film here to director of photography Bruno Delbonnel. Yates directed the Harry Potter before and after this (both without Delbonnel) and they don’t look like this. There are a dozen breathtaking frames. There’s Draco Malfoy at the sink with Harry behind him, the landscape establishing shots, the room of requirement (which looks like a James Whale film- the father of English horror)
- It is the only Harry Potter film to be nominated for best cinematography and it absolutely is warranted
- Delbonnel worked with Jean-Pierre Jeunet on Amelie and A Very Long Engagement– impressive DP- also after this with the Coen brothers on Inside Llewyn Davis
- A dark film—the Empire Strikes Back of the series if you will with the ending (and that final shot is a jaw-dropper)—less CGI-fanciful dependent and it may be the most singularly gorgeous film in the series to put it there with Deathly Hallows Part 2 and Azkaban as the best
- Highly Recommend – top 10 of the year quality
This film is not that well liked by Harry Potter fans because of some frustrating decisions made in the adaptation of the text, but I’m right with you on the look of the film. The scene where the Burrow goes up in flames is also a visual stunner.
I’m curious to see if your return engagement to Deathly Hallows Part I yields an analogous reassessment. It’s been awhile but I recall a real stark beauty to many parts of it.
@Matt Harris– thanks for the insight on the potential reason it doesn’t have a better reputation.
I saw Part I last night. I think there’s a pretty clear drop off from Half Blood Prince.
so did you only think the three you’ve reviewed are archivable? i’ve been watching them and i think they’re all archivable, even though i think prisoner is the best one. cuaron is the best director of the series but i think yates drects them the best overall though. order of the phoenix is really good too. chris columbus isn’t spielberg but hhis films are creative and good escapism.
@m- Thanks for sharing. I’ve seen them all multiple times. They’re all better than I thought the first time when they came out.
wow this was the dp that did llewyn davis. that is awesome, he is very talented. anyways i just watched this one on my Potter marathon and i think it is the best maybe. Not just because the visuals but i thougbht they did really interesting stuff with the narrative (though i am a huge potter fan and love all the narratives). i thought the actors were really good, especially alan rickman.
@m — Thanks for the comment. Yeah I was blown away by this most recent viewing this January. Really impressive.
[…] Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – D. Yates […]