Around the world, children and adults alike have flocked to theatres to see Harry Potter’s sixth cinematic outing. Despite glowing reviews, fans of the novels may be sorely disappointed.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was the book that defined the rest of the series. Brimming with blistering detail, it put the preceding five novels into context. It also set the scene for epic battle that was the come in the final instalment.
In the film, the rich intricacies of the plot were simply lost or ignored. Major plot details have been tampered with. The result is a film without a beginning, middle or end, that could leave viewers asking: “and the Half-Blood Prince?”
What director David Yates has accomplished is more of a medley of teenage relationships, much like The OC.
Some may recall that this is the same man who directed The Order of the Phoenix, which was also considered to be a rather drab film. Worryingly, he has also been handed the reins for the two-part incarnation of The Deathly Hallows.
However, Yates can be praised. The previously cartoon-like Hogwarts teachers have now evolved into rounded characters that better resemble those of the books, more fitting for modern cinema. The special effects of the latest films have also improved, providing crisp picture quality for the HD generation.
In his defence, Yates has had to tackle thicker plotlines than his predecessors. With the ever lengthening novels also comes a greater disparity of plotline events. This makes it harder to translate into a format suitable for cinema-goers, where there is a need for a structure that is geared towards a climax. This would certainly explain why the shorter books made better films.
This suggests a quintessential flaw in the conversion of book to film. The books were not written in a film-friendly format, which means that there would have to be some compromise when it comes to plot. However, with a decade of building to a conclusion, film-makers cannot afford to take liberties. With Harry Potter, some details are set in stone.
