HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE is the penultimate chapter in the book and movie series, if you dismiss that the last book (Deathly Hallows) is being made into two films. Half-Blood Prince is the segue into teenage romance, defining oneself into the person they believe they wish to be and personal tragedy.

Half-Blood Prince has many more lighthearted laughs and situations than the previous two films (Goblet of Fire and Order of the Phoenix) which adds to the appropriate awkwardness of being at that age. It was important to portray those qualities at this time so as not to make the main characters, especially Potter, seem more realistic. Instead he could have been a hard driven revenge demanding Voldemorte seeker. If Potter did not have those "teen" qualities, the story could have very easily become any other "revenge film". It would have taken away the love we feel for the young students we were charmed by from the very beginning. In short, it would have stolen their childhood from us.

In spite of the location Harry is forced to reside outside of the school terms, Hogwart's School of Wizardry and Magic, another character in itself, is truly Harry's Home. Nearly every adventure has been set at Hogwart's and it instills upon us, the value of having a place to hang our sorting hat.

Love finds its way to our favorite Hogwart's students, if not quite in the way we imagined. Nonetheless, it feels right, after all the peril, to allow hearts to run free for a spell. It certainly is the calm before the storm. Tragedy, betrayal, love, broken hearts and true friendship all rear their heads in the most momentous ways.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the perfectly placed piece in this epic saga. Although rated PG, there are plenty of jumps, shocks and dread to give the staunchest heart a stir.

A Grand Fit in a Grand Saga!

Joey Cruz