Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

I love all things Harry Potter. I am just this side of obsessed -- I can honestly say that I never dressed up for a book and/or movie release. BUT, I have gone to midnight releases and showings... and I did go see the first Harry Potter movie for my 18th birthday party.

Yep. I am that awesome.

You should be jealous.

ANYWAY... I FINALLY got to see Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on Tuesday night. I know, for someone who loves HP so much how could I wait so long?

Well, life has been extremely busy folks.

At first I loved the movie. I was laughing out loud (who doesn't love awkward teenage romance interactions?). I thought it moved quickly. I didn't mind that they had to add a couple of scenes that were so NOT in the book; as a movie you sometimes have to adjust to make it work.

But towards the end I just couldn't love it. The most action packed part of the movie, the stuff that would have you on the edge of seat felt like it was jilted... like there wasn't enough to it. What happened to having to protect the castle? That battle scene would have been AWESOME! Not to mention -- a HUGE part of book 6 was Dumbledore mentoring Harry and walking him through the process of learning about Horcruxes. I felt like it was lacking in that. You learn so much that is important to the story (and to book 7) that you miss in this movie. I would say without all of that information, it makes the movie (and ultimately movie 7) very confusing. I would even venture to say too confusing to watch if you have never read the books.

Now, ordinarily I can separate a book form the movie and not compare. But for some reason I can't with this movie. And I think it is because you loose so much of what makes the story GOOD in this movie.

BUT, this is all just my opinion. So take it for what is worth.

And I still liked the movie. I'll probably still buy it. Because i do love all things Harry Potter.

Have you seen the movie? Did you like it? hate it? love it?