A movie that captivated all, if not, most of its viewers. The Half-Blood Prince (2009) was based on the book by JK. Rowling. Rowling was the bright mind behind the entire franchise. As someone who read the book, I prefer the movie to the book. While the book is absolutely my favorite, the movie just brings it to real life. However, the book does hold some huge strong points. Like, the early discovery of Draco’s inhabitance with the dark mark, or even the book in Harry’s potions class marked the “Half-Blood Prince”. All of which ended up being Snape’s book, from when he was in Hogwarts. Which we don’t determine until the end of the movie, where Harry and Severus Snape duel. As indicated, in the trailer.  I remember the entire theater gasping. 

(March 24, 2009)

I remember most of this movie, as I was only 7 when they came out. My mom and I went to see the movie literally, right when it came out. I remember when the trailer came out, and everyone lost their minds. Literally, everyone lost their minds, because this was such a pinnacle piece of history. It’s one of those franchises that everyone will remember. My mom is a huge fan of fantasy so Harry Potter was right up her ally. It was such a monumental moment because we both still joke about how she was able to assume the entire movie just from 15 minutes. Might I add that she also didn’t read the book either. She was like a spoiler machine, spoilers left and right. It’s moments like these that developed such an inseparable bond between my mom and I. 

Theme wise, this movie was so different from the past ones. Director, David Yates, took the dark approach when adapting this notable movie. A website, known as Comic Book Debate, is a well-identified website that discusses pop culture themes, like the Half-Blood Prince. One of their journalists, writes that the Half-Blood Prince has themes such of similar movies. Sharez Farooqi brings a good point that, ‘”Half-Blood Prince” holds similar themes of Prisoner of Azkaban.’ On the argument of the book, some would say that the book is probably the best book in the entire saga. Keara Lou over at “Books Are Our Superpower” says that the book is not filler, but instead sets up foundations for the last movie/book. The same can be said for the movie, because the movie does just that. It sets up a foundation for the last movie. As such with movies as popular as these, it’s fair to assume that big budget movies with Hollywood prevalence are a piece of mainstream media.  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a mainstream blockbuster film. The budget definitely gave room for the franchise to grow and develop from the books. 

The trailer gives me so much nostalgia. While I have watched this movie a lot since it came out, it’s one that still gives me great nostalgia. From the filler comedy, to the serious tones at the end. It’s a grand masterpiece of a movie, and deserves all the cult following that it’s gotten. People today, still account for Harry Potter as one of their all-time favorite movie franchises.  Sometimes I feel old because I remember how young I was then, compared to how much I’ve grown.

2009 was a time of recovery from the recession. The election was also a huge remembrance because it was a time where Barack Obama became the 44th of the United States. Which meant new things for America, and new policies introduced to the nation. However, I remember this time so well. I remember asking my mom the difference between Democrats and Republicans. According to, Maci, over at Facts.Net, the Swine Flu was first detected in America with the first case being in California.  I remember the radio was discussing the origins of the H1NI virus, and how it’s actually super terrifying to the general public.

This movie helped to shape who I am as a person, because of the adaption of the beliefs into my own personal life. Some of my core memories came out of this time. So, it’s so monumental to give this movie the attention that it deserves in being one of the most iconic pieces of cinema. This series serves as my comfort series. By that I mean, when it’s been a weird/bad day, then I just put this movie on, and hang out with my friends/family. It’s also pretty important to remember the impact this movie had on – not only history – but also on pop culture as a whole. People these days, still talk about the Harry Potter films. There are still debates on which one is the best. Everyone’s experiences are different and oftentimes vary in departure. However, some people would argue that the Deathly Hallows is the best of the franchise. I question them, by saying that the Half-Blood Prince opens up doors and conspiracies for those who didn’t read the books. At the time of the arrival of the 6th movie, people – who did not read the book – were coming up with conspiracies on what the next movie would be about.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417741/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

https://comicbookdebate.com/2017/06/24/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-review/

https://baos.pub/harry-potter-and-the-half-blood-prince-is-not-filler-e5563e5959a5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgMIlFDIPNc

https://facts.net/history/historical-events/2009-facts/