Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

After the disappointing last film, I am eager and pleased to say that Half-Blood Prince more than makes up for that last one. And it advances the story (actually, several storylines) in magnificent fashion.

However, don't go out for popcorn. The transitions are minimal. The movie jumps, although not in a displeasing way, from point to point. A lot of ground has to be covered in its nearly two-and-a-half hour playing time.

We are not only anxious to see how Harry, Ron and Hermione fare, but how Dan, Rupert and Emma are doing. How they've grown up, and indeed, they are and have. It's simply a delight to be with them again. This movie has all the darkness and humor, both together, that other of their movies lacked, and it's a joy to watch. It's not only like being in on the old joke, the inside joke, but being with family again, the odd and disjointed pieces of that family as well as the charming and familiar ones.

One thing that adds to the magic of this film is that Harry has grown out of his teenage angst. Sure, there are people, even students, who despise him, but he doesn't care anymore, as he recognizes there are people who support him as well, and who love him. This new confidence is inspiring and a lot of fun to watch as he wends his way through life on campus, through the impending threat, and through new-found adoration.

Thumb's up. And we eagerly await the next two movies, both of which make up the last of Rowling's Harry Potter books.