Harry potter and the half blood prince, is a mere mockery of the book. The actors fail to show any emotion, and their terrible acting reminds me of wild monkey’s running around mindlessly. The movie leaves out key parts of the story. The director tries and fails to give the movie the true Harry Potter feeling. I can give you some advice, if you are going to watch this movie. Make sure you have a pillow and blanket handy, you will be falling asleep.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Terrific but intense mix of love, friendship, fear, sorrow.
Themes in this movie include: dating/crushes, friendship, growing up, loss, revenge
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 12 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that this is no PG movie -- in all ways, it's very similar to the previous two movies, which were rated PG-13. This film continues the series' trend toward darker, more intense material. For young children, the death of a major beloved character could be extremely upsetting. Other characters are bloodied, kicked, and cursed in frightening ways, and a very scary scene involving scary, skeletal characters is sure to scare the pants off of little kids. There are also some big emotional upheavals and scary attacks. And there's notably more sexuality -- albeit playfully depicted -- than in the past movies. Because the characters are now teens, much of the interaction between them and their friends centers on getting a boy or girlfriend, and there's plenty of snogging (making out). While Harry and his friends continue as strong positive role models, other characters' motives and plans become more ambiguous. And there are also a few scenes that include alcohol consumption -- including one in which a professor serves his students.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the best age for kids (and eager parents) to start getting into the Harry Potter series. Is it OK to read all the books (and see all the movies) at the same age?
- What do you think of the way the movie depicts the teens' romantic relationships? Are they believable? Is the story too hormone-filled for younger viewers?
- What do we learn about Voldemort's past in this movie? Does that change the way you feel about him?
- If you've read the book, what parts of the novel were left out? Which were faithfully adapted? How does this movie compare to the earlier ones as an adaptation?
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More on Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
What’s the Story?
In the face of Lord Voldemort's growing power, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) asks Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) to help convince retired potions professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) to return to his old teaching post. Once back at Hogwarts, Dumbledore tasks Harry with befriending Slughorn -- who plays favorites -- in order to recover a crucial memory of former student Tom Riddle (who grew up to become You Know Who). Meanwhile, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) deal with their growing attraction to each other, and the Death Eaters enlist Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) to assist Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) in carrying out the Dark Lord's evil bidding.
Is It Any Good?
Director David Yates, who took over the franchise with Order of the Phoenix, has created a mature, relationship-focused installment that masterfully sets the stage for the high-stakes final installments (Deathly Hallows was so epic that it will be split into two movies). Hardcore Potterphiles should know by now that not all of their favorite characters or scenes will make it into the film adaptations, and even movie-only fans will have to deal with no scenes set in Defense Against the Dark Arts class (Snape is finally the teacher), hardly any Neville or Weasley twins, and a bit too much foreshadowing.
What Yates does offer is an incredibly human look at how adolescent wizards deal with their burgeoning hormones: "Won Won" lands his first girlfriend, Hermione acknowledges the extent of her undeclared feelings for Ron, and Harry realizes that his best friend's kid sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright, who really comes into her own this time), just might be his match. It's adorable -- and spot-on -- that even during the darkest times, teenagers still want to snog. Meanwhile, Broadbent is great as snobby, tipsy Slughorn, who still harbors kind thoughts for his once-favorite pupil. It's that empathy for the promising young wizard that Tom Riddle once was that makes it possible to connect the dots between Harry, Tom, and even the enigmatic Snape. As emotional as the film's climactic scene is, there's a small sense of relief in knowing that Harry still isn't alone. He has loyal, unconditional friends ready to risk their lives so that light can prevail over darkness.
Movie Details
Studio: Warner Bros., Director: David Yates
Run time: 153 minutes
Theatrical release: 7/15/2009, DVD release: 12/8/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality
Run time: 153 minutes
Theatrical release: 7/15/2009, DVD release: 12/8/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality
Our Members Say
See all 260 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
this movie is terrible.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I loved the movie so much but i'm a little concerned about the action in this movie.And moms dont worry about us watching this movie its OK!!!!
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
awesomenesssssssss
I'm 11 i love this freekin movies moms dont be afraid it ain't bad at all cupcake it's age approatite for me at least it's awesome!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Great, intriguing movie with some bad stuff splattered across
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I love Harry Potter, but....
I have read all of the Harry Potter books and I am amazed by their power. J.K. Rowling has created something amazing with this series. She really has encouraged people to read again. My feelings on this movie are mixed. I feel that the story line progresses as Harry ages to something more adult. I think that it is important to look at your child's age and emotional state before watching any of the Harry Potter movies. Rowling is a smart writer so she brings in important issues for the specific age Harry is at, which are not appropriate for younger children. I think that if you watch/read Harry Potter and allow your child to age with Harry it might become more applicable to their life. Keep in mind also that adding CGI you are going to have a more realistic account of what happens. If you are ready to deal with issues like death and evil don't watch it with a younger child.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Worse than the others.
I found the movie to be boring. It didn't have that effect that you get when you watch the others. One dissapointing part is that I don't see Harry's scar. I just think this movie is drifting off. I hope the next one is better.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
This movie is very adverturous and a little scary.I think this is a very good movie. Some of the other Harry Potter movie are better, but this one was good 2. This movie may be scary to a lot of yonger kids, I think this movie is great 4 the ages 11+.
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I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
The most emotional Potter movie, ok 10+, mature 7-9
Satisfaction guaranteed. Lots of creepy, PG-13 fantasy violence, however, including scary images and corpses. Packed with thematic elements including a stirring death and kissing scenes a plenty. Also, a suggestion that Hagrid and Professor Slughorn are drunk. 10 and up.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Perfect for Eleven+
harry potter and the half blood prince, the sixth movie out of seven, contains mature content. There is a lot of kissing throughout the whole movie and one particularly scary scene for younger kids near the end (inferi). however, i love this movie! it's great for kids eleven and up. however, there isn't much action, so kids who love adventure may get bored.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
i loved it i mean it says the word hell a few times but not bad! great movie!!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good movie, not as good as the others
First of all, the inferi scene (corpses coming out from the water) really is NOT as scary as people say it is. It may be intense for little kids, but other than that, I think anyone around 10 can watch this. There's no language, and things having to do with the "love potions" has nothing really inappropriate associated with it. I think it deserves the PG rating. However, it's still not as good as the first three, since they left out a lot of parts and added a new scene. The characters are older now, so the movies aren't as entertaining anymore. I would recommend reading the books instead.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
It's NOT the truth!
When I checked the rating for this movie I thought "PG? well that's good." But when I saw the movie I was not impressed. This movies in not PG it's is really PG-13. They rated it PG because they want to make money. So if Moms are debating I would watch something else a little more appropriate.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
good movie with just a dash of romance
This one was certaintly great thats for sure! but i wish they didn't have so much romance in it. I was actually very surprised when i saw this movie was only rated PG. I actually wanted it to be rated PG-13. But still good movie.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Dark Movie for Teens.
This movie is really good! They really pushed this PG rating...It should have been PG-13! The sensuality in here was beyond mild, the violence may scare kids under 9 or 10. The language was not mild or strong; Dimbo is as bad as it gets but still pushes it...! The end was really sad and dark. This movie is NOT for kids under 12.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
A Genuine Masterpiece! Great For Tweens and teens!
I have read all the books and seen all the movies out so far, This film is the best and should be considered a masterpiece! The other movies like the ones 1-4 were good but were just popcorn flicks. The FILMS 5-6 were serious and brooding. This movie is very dark and should have been rated PG-13. This FILM is an amazing masterpiece and should get nomanated for a oscar. This film is also a feast for the eyes and has amazing camera work, David Yates did a tremendous job of making this film the best and most serious film of the series!
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
it was amazing! I absolutly LOVED it! One of the best movies!
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My highlights are:
Not as good as the book..
Harry Potter 6 is overall an ok movie. The reason was they focused too much on romance, not on the mission for Malfoy like the book. If they just kept all the parts in the book and not worried about making it PG,I would've rated it 5 stars. Hopefully the deathly hallows will be better!
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
book was better
its a good movie. i would have rated it 4 stars if the movie didnt skip so much in the book.
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
not critics choice.
not good.
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
GREATEST ONE YET!!!!!
I think this is the best Harry Potter movie yet because it has some great laughs in it. But I do have one concern. Actually two. One of them is the dying. I mean, come on? Dumbledore dying is a real shocker. My other concern is the kissing. With Lavender kissing Ron, it doesn't set a good role model for younger kids ages 8 and under. The rating also confuses me. PG is so not the right rating for this. I would give a rating of PG-13. That is allI have to say.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 54% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 47% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 38% | of parents say it's too violent |
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