Saw it tonight -- as with the other
Potter films, I enjoyed it for the most part, but it was far from perfect.
There were definitely some pacing and plotting issues -- it felt a little more schizo than some of the other movies, with the first two-thirds of the movie focusing on the characters and their personal lives (romantic entanglements, extracurricular activities, etc.), with all the Voldemort/Death Eater stuff taking a back seat. Then towards the end, it seemed like all the aforementioned personal life aspects were completely dropped by the wayside to focus on the Horcruxes, Draco and the Death Eaters, Dumbledore and Harry's quest, etc.
I haven't read the book, but it seemed obvious that a lot of stuff had been cut out (like, as has been said, the whole "Half-Blood Prince" aspect of the title -- okay, so it's Snape. And...?) If ever another film series could've benefitted from a LOTR-style extended edition on the DVDs, it's this one. I'm glad they're splitting
Deathly Hallows into two films, as it definitely felt like a number of things weren't given the proper amount of attention this time.
So, Harry and Ginny... since when does he have any interest in her romantically? Yeah, it's obvious she's always had a crush on him, but he barely ever seemed to notice her before. Now apparently Hermione can "see the way he looks at her" -- where's this coming from? As I understand it, this becomes more than a simple crush, so I think their relationship could've used more development (plus I would've loved to have seen Ron's reaction upon finding out about his best friend and his sister -- instead, we just get told at the end, again by Hermione, that Ron is "okay with it"). To me, it's just coming across as: Harry's horny, notices that his pal's sister is kinda cute, and figures, "Hey, why not?" Luna might have made more sense as a love interest (plus, Luna's a hoot... I adore her
). I'm not saying Harry and Ginny don't work at all --they're somewhat cute together-- but I think we needed to see more of a natural progression in their relationship, and some indication of a mutual interest in the previous films would've probably helped.
Ron and Hermione's complicated relationship was okay, actually kind of amusing and endearing at times, although Hermione was playing her feelings for him much less close-to-the-vest than usual. Of course, the typically clueless Ron has no idea.
But he does have a thing for her too, right? I guess he just assumes it'll never happen, hence his involvement with Lavender. Oh yeah, and on the subject of Miss Brown... did Ron tap that?
As I said, though, these relationships seemed to be almost completely ignored by the end -- granted, a lot of serious shit had happened, but if Ginny is as important to Harry as we're supposed to believe, couldn't we have had at least one last scene between them near the end (more than just her hugging him over Dumbledore's body, that is)? And what is the status of Ron and Hermione's relationship? Are they still just friends? Or have they inched their way closer to romance?
I did enjoy the film, though. I thought it looked great, and the acting was pretty solid. As always, I enjoy seeing these characters and watching them interact with each other on the screen. Things I enjoyed: Ron becoming a quidditch star, Hermione's frustrations with him being oblivious (and her tearful moment when he hooks up with Lavender -- I thought Watson was great there), Draco's conflict over being assigned to kill Dumbledore, Slughorn's eccentricities... and other stuff. There was definitely a few things that needed more focus (i.e. Snape -- what does it mean that he's "the Half-Blood Prince"? What more is there to his loyalties and his killing Dumbledore? And the Death Eaters -- what exactly was their plan? Just to kill Dumbledore, and I guess stir up some trouble and further the atmosphere of dread?). I know some of the questions in this film will be answered in TDH, I just hope the pay-off is decent.
I expect it will be though. As I've stated, I've more-or-less enjoyed all the
Harry Potter films --I think they're entertaining, finely-crafted movies with appealing characters and creations-- and this one was no exception. I'd say
Prisoner of Azkaban is still my favourite, but this one certainly isn't bad. I look forward to
The Deathly Hallows.
he certainly had slughorn's experience when it comes to memories doesn't he. Give harry the number of years slughorn had... 
