Film: "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"; Director: David Yates; Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Tom Felton, and Bonnie Wright; Rating: ***

There's less of magic and tricks in the sixth instalment of the Harry Potter series, but fans need not be disappointed -- it offers a heavy dose of drama, romance and humour.

Strangely the teenagers of Hogwarts are shown spending more time sorting out their adolescent problems, flirting and pouting. While Harry finds himself attracted to Ginnie Weasley (Bonnie Wright), Ron, much to the dismay of Hermione (Emma Watson), is besotted with Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave).

But these scenes are not only well-etched, they also offer a few light moments in the otherwise dark film.

The mood of the film is mostly dark and director David Yates creates an atmosphere of depression and melancholy by showing dense clouds and rain throughout the narrative, making it gloomy compared to the previous versions.

In terms of content, nothing much is revealed, though suspense is built up when Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is often shown sneaking around forbidden corridors and secret chambers of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Also, the development of the plot in the film version does not justify the title "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince". The story shows that Harry stumbles upon a book on potions in the laboratory of Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), a new bumbling professor of potions. The book belongs to the Half-Blood Prince and it helps him in experimenting and successfully making a potion. But Ginnie thinks he has had enough of the book and hides it.

This time the story also bids adieu to one of the most important and adorable characters of the series, leaving Harry all alone to fight off the evil Voldemort. Also, professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) turns villain.

The film has its scary moments...like when Harry and his friends are attacked in a field by Death Eaters and when Professor Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) takes Harry to a seaside cave.

Although nothing much is revealed or explained compared to earlier films, the plot has successfully set up a perfect stage for the last and final instalment of the wizard franchise.

But it is nevertheless a must watch for die-hard Harry Potter fans as it will provide crucial links for the last edition of the series.

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