Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D ExperienceMovie Reviews

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Written August 1, 2009
HARRY POTTER 6 - casted a spell with plenty of magic. Rating: 83 out of 100. (Based on a actual advance press preview)

by MOVIES REVIEWER

Recently, I attended the advance VIP press preview of this 153 minute somber and darker movie of the Harry Potter franchise. IMAX-3D was only the first 15 mins(!!!).

I've read the entire Harry Potter series of novels - and there were quite a number of disturbing changes/contractions/deletions/truncations of the novel as adapted into the movie by director David Yates - sacrificing accuracy. The ending was anti-climactic and was nothing like the novel.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of special effects to hold one SPELLBOUND the entire time. But CGI does not a movie make... and be warned that the plot/story has matured and the added gravity feels heavy.

Spoiler Alert!
Fenrir and Bellatrix surrounded the Weasleys' home with a ring of fire - and destroyed the house. (this was NOT in the book!!!)
Ralph Fiennes IS NOT in this movie - there was only the younger Tom Riddle.

VERDICT:
Good movie but not the best.
Definitely not a kids movie.
GRADE!
- 173 out of 174 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written August 7, 2009
A Letdown

by mpiltz

For two and half hours... this movie bored me. Not much action, or much of a plot. Most of the movie was awkward situations and long pauses. I paid $17 to see this movie in "3D", only to find out that about 3 minutes of this movie was in actual 3D. A huge waste.
- 7 out of 9 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written August 2, 2009
3D sucks

by bjafarpur

the movie was good, but the 3D was stupid! and it was so short 15-20 min at most!!!!
i felt like i was ripped off of my money!
- 6 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Written August 13, 2009
Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

by emax3

Go see especially at I MAX 3D makes the movie a lot better experiance
- 4 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written August 2, 2009
WE PAID HOW MUCH!!!

by ccwaltz

not worth the money for the extremely few minutes the movie is in 3-D!!! Very disappointing!!!, Our whole group was looking forward to seeing Harry Potter in 3-D and we all felt let down when after only 12 minutes (felt less like 5) the screen was flashing the take off 3-D glasses symbols. Were we ever suppose to put them back on??? I'm sure it is just fine to watch in a regular theater and save your $$ for a movie that is shown ENTIRELY in 3-D.
- 5 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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No
Written August 2, 2009
My least favorite HP installment

by starletscarlett

Spent 16 bucks on the IMX/3D ticket for this film and left asking myself "why?"

Only the first 15 minutes were in 3D (hardly fair to the consumer marketing it as a 3D film). Left out all sorts of really good content from Book 6 in film 6.

Film not as action-packed as I thought it would have been.
And the IMAX feature was also a waste - did not feel "in" the movie like IMAX is supposed to give the audience.
Could've made up for it with a spectacular ending - instead no White Tomb and large funeral as in the book or Phoenix song before he leaves Hogwarts. Were you saving money?

Film 6 was such a disappointment- I hope this means they were just saving money for the last films (which I heard will be in 2 parts?).
Hope they do not disappoint and really "wow" the audience in the final curtain call of films 7a and 7b.

Actress playing Lavender Brown was a hoot.
Alan Rickman - brilliant as always!
And, can never get enough of Helena Bonham Carter - a truly unique performer.
- 5 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 31, 2009
Harry in 3D

by Craigor290

This is a great movie. My teenageres and I were very disappointed with the fact they state this is a 3D movie. The movie was 3-D for about 15 minutes and that all. After that you never put your 3D glasses on again, so the movie is VERY VERY far from being 3D. The pros of seein the movie in IMAX is well worth it. The screen is huge and the sound is like nothing you will get anywhere else. Highly recommended to see in IMAx, I would see it again in IMAX. Pay the extra and see it in IMAX.
- 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 8, 2009
IMAX, 3-D & the Potter Crew - Wow!

by Roxy123

I was really looking forward to seeing this in a LARGE screen venue, and was deliighted that it was also offered in 3D. The story was gripping, and the characters are struggling with the confusions and divided loyalties of teenagers. There are a couple of wowser surprises, even if you read the book. This and the first HP moviie are my favorites, so far.
- 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 13, 2009
Even Better In IMAX 3D

by MustBeIMAX

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the best installment yet in the Harry Potter franchise, and it's even better in glorious IMAX 3D. The entire opening sequence is in 3D, and it really puts you in the moment. Soaring through London with the Death Eaters was very intense! Seeing this film in IMAX is really fun.
- 4 out of 5 found this review helpful.
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Must Go!
Written August 2, 2009
Best of the Potter Movies Yet!

by jelyons2800

Aside from the fact that the 3D only runs for the first 15 minutes of the movie, the IMAX and 3D combo are crazy good. The rest of the film is the best yet in the series, and whether on the "big screen" (IMAX) or not, this is a must see for any Harry Potter fan.
- 7 out of 12 found this review helpful.
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Written August 16, 2009
3-D version...

by minimin

Although I enjoyed the movie, the 12 minutes of 3-D were a little weak (besides the flying scene).
- 4 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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Oh No!
Written August 11, 2009
5 minutes of 3D

by Venzie

PLEASE DON'T SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY TO SEE THIS MOVIE IN 3D!!! It was a great movie but the 3D portion only last for 2 previews and 5 minutes at the most of the actual movie. I was having a great time enjoying the incredible visual display but than the put your glasses away warning came on the screen. For the additional 2+ hours remaining of the movie the 3D glasses were not needed. WHAT A TEASE AND VERY DISAPOINTING!!! DON'T DO IT!!!
- 4 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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So-so
Written August 12, 2009
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince IMAX 3D

by nrudolph29

Only The first 12 minutes of the movie are in 3D, pretty disappointed. They didnt tell us this until we were already in our seats right before they started the movie. Not sure I wouldve paid the extra money just to see the first 12 minutes in 3D. Plus I had already went and saw the movie the week before, was really looking forward to seeing it in 3D. Other than that I did enjoy the movie.
- 3 out of 4 found this review helpful.
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Written September 6, 2009
Ever Been to a Carnival Side Show?

by T-ray57

HURRY HURRY, HURRY ! STEP RIGHT INSIDE !
After hearing much fanfare you decide to pay your dollar with the promise to see "The fastest living being on the planet", you go inside and are treated to watching a Lima bean zipping around a race track in a toy race car.

I should know by now that if they called it THREE DEE PEE TEE no one would necessarily be interested in paying more for Part Time 3D.
I may be the victim of not reading enough fine print, still, it was a tad disappointing that only the first fifteen minutes or so was 3D.

I am reconciled to, and support, the choices necessary to bring this story to the screen - in fact, It makes reading the books equally attractive because so much rich storytelling has had to be eliminated. Both forms are highly entertaining in their own right

IMAX is a terrific value; 3DPT, not so much.
- 4 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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I'll Pass
Written August 2, 2009
by hills426
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