December 8: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE Special Edition DVD and 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack -- DVD Review by John J. Puccio

—> See Link to our DVD Review (further below)

Dark Secrets Revealed
Once again I must ask too much of you, Harry...

"The filmmakers have found a way to refresh our eyes and enhance our appreciation for this rich, amazing creation."
—Lisa Schwarzbaum (Entertainment Weekly)

"Harry is better than ever, a triumph of wonder and emotional storytelling... All the actors excel at pulling us into the film's mysteries."
—Peter Travers (Rolling Stone)

"Composer Nicholas Hooper, cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel and designer Stuart Craig deliver a singularly muscular and vigorous chapter while all the visual and digital effects have now blended seamlessly into the package."
—Kirk Honeycutt (Hollywood Reporter)

"Dazzlingly well made... this one is played in a mode closer to palpable life-or-death drama than any of the others and is quite effective as such."
—Todd McCarthy (Variety)

"Bumbling, funny and gentle, the rom-com tween heartache feels nicely played by a cast more at home with cheeky humour than dramatic heavy-lifting."
—Jonathan Crocker (Total Film)

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE — on DVD, Special Edition DVD, and 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (+DVD & Digital Copy) »

Over $900 million Box Office Worldwide!

Blu-ray Combo Pack offers almost two hours of spellbinding special features along with Maximum Movie Mode and exclusive BD-Live content

Burbank, CA — Wizards and muggles beware! No one is safe as Harry Potter returns for his sixth year at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, which arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD this December 8th from Warner Home Video. The entire ensemble cast is back for the sixth installment of the record-breaking franchise based on the best-selling book series by J.K. Rowling.

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Voldemort tightens his grip on Hogwarts as Harry and Dumbledore work to find the key to unlock the Dark Lord's defenses. But the students are under attack from a very different adversary—teenage hormones. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

From celebrated director David Yates (BBC's "State of Play", Harry Potter series Years 5-7), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince brings back the highly-acclaimed cast including Daniel Radcliffe (BBC's "My Boy Jack," December Boys), Rupert Grint (Driving Lessons) and Emma Watson (The Tale of Despereaux) as well as two-time Academy Award® Winner Maggie Smith (Gosford Park, A Room With a View), Academy Award® Nominee Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton's Corpse Bride), Alan Rickman (Love Actually, Die Hard) and Michael Gambon (The Good Shepherd, Gosford Park). Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince also introduces Academy Award® winner Jim Broadbent (Iris, Moulin Rouge!) as Professor Horace Slughorn.

The Blu-ray disc of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will feature Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode, an interactive viewing experience that examines the entire film with such features as Focus Points, Picture-in-Picture, photo galleries and more. Maximum Movie Mode includes commentary from director David Yates, producers David Heyman and David Barron, and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Tom Felton.

The disc also includes Warner Brothers BD-Live, which allows users with web-enabled Blu-ray players to access exciting additional content and connect and share with other BD-Live users via the My Commentary and Live Community Screening features. Another feature of the BD-Live interactivity is Facebook Connect, which allows users to interact with their friends from Facebook, update their Facebook status while in BD-Live and invite their Facebook friends to a Live Community Screening.

More exciting BD-Live initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be available as a Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray discs featuring the theatrical film and special features, standard DVD disc featuring the theatrical film, and Digital Copy of the film) for $35.99, 2-disc Special Edition DVD for $34.99 and on single disc DVD for $28.98.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will also be available to buy on December 8th as a Digital Download from digital movie retailers and select game consoles.

On December 15th Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will be available to rent ON DEMAND through Digital Cable, Satellite TV, internet movie retailers and select game consoles.

—> NEW Ultimate Editions coming December 8:

> The first two of eight Harry Potter ULTIMATE EDITIONS (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). Each of the Ultimate Editions will include a new one-hour featurette that highlights a unique aspect of the filmmaking process. Editions include 5 hours of special features, theatrical and extended versions of the film, 48-page collectible photo book and other magical collectibles. ($49.99 SRP on Blu-ray; $39.92 SRP on DVD)

> Harry Potter fans can enter into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry like never before as Warner Home Video releases Harry Potter: Wizarding World, the second DVD game from the popular franchise. The Harry Potter DVD game enables fans to further the movie experience by testing their potion-making, spell-casting, and apparition skills in the magical world of Harry Potter. ($24.98 SRP)

> The Harry Potter Spells app transforms your iPhoneTM and iPod touch® into a wand. Begin your training at Hogwarts and learn to cast over thirteen spells. Practice spells on your own and then challenge friends to a real-time duel. Available to buy this November exclusively on the iTunes App Store.

Also available is the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince free app for the iPhone and iPod touch. For details, visit the iTunes App Store and search for "Harry Potter" or check out the Warner Bros. mobile website at m.warnerbros.com.

BONUS FEATURES include:
$28.98 Standard DVD:
• Includes both Widescreen & Full-screen versions
(no additional features)

$34.99 Special Edition DVD (2 discs):
(Widescreen version only)
• Additional Scenes (6:31)
• Close-Up with the Cast and Crew of Harry Potter: Hosts Matthew Lewis ("Neville Longbottom") and Alfred Enoch ("Dean Thomas") lead us on an entertaining look at the cast of Harry Potter as they explore their interests away from acting and spend a day on set with the production team (28:30)
• J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life: A fascinating and intimate look into the life of J.K. Rowling over the last year of writing "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." (49:32)
• One Minute Drills: The cast has 60 seconds to describe their character's personality, history, relationships and other traits before time runs out (6:43)
• What's On Your Mind: Hosted by Tom Felton, the cast is put on the spot when asked a series of rapid-fire questions on their likes and dislikes. (6:41)
• Universal's "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter" Sneak Peek: Get an "inside look" at the amazing world of magic and excitement being created at Universal Orlando® Resort in Florida (11:38)
• Digital Copy of the theatrical film (2nd disc)

$35.99 Blu-ray Combo Pack (3 discs):
- same features as the Special Edition DVD - plus:
• Digital Copy of the theatrical film (2nd disc)
• DVD version of the theatrical film (3rd disc)
Blu-ray exclusive features:
• WB Maximum Movie Mode with Director David Yates, Producers David Heyman and David Barron, and cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Tom Felton (1:38:00)
• BD-Live Media Center including My Commentary, Live Community Screening and other interactive features. Also included is an exclusive introduction to the upcoming "Harry Potter Ultimate Editions" by Daniel Radcliffe.
• BD-Live interactivity - Facebook Connect
(Additional BD-Live features forthcoming)

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE — Explore further:
—> DVD Review by John J. Puccio »
EXCERPT: Count this installment as yet another transition in the series, a stepping stone or segue from one episode to the next in the continuing saga of the young wizard. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the 2009 movie adaptation of J.K. Rowlings's novel, is the next-to-last chapter in the seven-book series but is the sixth movie in a succession of eight, with the final book taking up two full films.

Although "The Half-Blood Prince" is hardly a stand-alone movie as some in the series have been, it is, nevertheless, among the more enjoyable, placing its emphasis not purely on action or adventure but on characterizations and interrelationships. As such, it is a more mature film than many of the others and a more satisfying one, at least for viewers who respect and appreciate thought and emotion over dynamite thrills.

Director David Yates, who directed "The Order of the Phoenix" and both installments of "The Deathly Hallows," seems far more interested in creating mood, atmosphere, and in building character relationships than in continually hitting the viewer over the head with exciting exploits and whizbang special effects. For the die-hard action fan, this may be a shortcoming of the Yates installments; for fans of the novels, it may be a major strength. "The Half-Blood Prince" might move along more casually, more leisurely, than some episodes in the series, but in the long run it rewards the viewer with more information and more-satisfying interconnections among the principal players.

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is at least as dark and foreboding as "The Prisoner of Azkaban" and "The Order of the Phoenix," yet, thankfully, it also contains a good deal more humor, more sweet friendships, and more character illuminations than the others. Parts of "The Half-Blood Prince" are more elaborately embroidered, too, more dramatically illustrated, than in the novel--like the segment's ending, to be sure--but for the most part we get a deliberately paced, measured view of the characters, their motivations, and their relationships as they march toward the saga's conclusion.

Along the way, we get one of the longest yet most-delightfully entertaining installments in the "Harry Potter" series. The standard-definition copy of the movie WB sent for review was the bare-bones release, with only the widescreen movie and little else. For viewers wanting more extras, the studio also make available a two-disc Special Edition DVD set and a Blu-ray edition, both featuring a ton of bonus materials.

The movie's only failing is its extreme length, yet that may also be a strength to those viewers who value getting their money's worth. And there is no question the two-and-a-half hours go by quickly enough, making "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" one of the most affecting episodes in the "Potter" series. With its powerfully impassioned ending, "The Half-Blood Prince" leads Harry and his friends into the greatest adventure of them all in the final episode. So, until next time....

(Click thru the Link above for the full review)

—> Visit the film's Official Site »
(from Warner Brothers)

—> Visit the Official HARRY POTTER Site »
(from Warner Brothers)

—> View the Theatrical Trailer (w/HD) »
(from Apple.com Trailers website)

—> Visit J.K. ROWLING's Site »
(the British author's website)

"The three leads, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, give their most charming performance to date... HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, with its romantic triangle, its Quidditch high jinks, its gorgeous production design and its bang-up final action sequence, might be the most enjoyable Harry Potter movie yet."
—(Washington Post)

"This sixth chapter is a darker, more ominous Harry Potter film... It opens and closes well, and has wondrous art design and cinematography as always."
—Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times)

"Spellbinding... The cinematography is stunning, and the story unfolds in a stately and unhurried fashion."
—Claudia Puig (USA Today)

"Those involved will find that the series has matured much as the books did. This is the darkest, saddest, most sophisticated HARRY POTTER film yet."
—Tasha Robinson (A.V. Club)

Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality

Film Synopsis:
Dark Secrets Revealed
Once again I must ask too much of you, Harry...
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemorts defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, Harry discovers an old book marked mysteriously "This book is the property of the Half-Blood Prince" and begins to learn more about Lord Voldemort's dark past.

Emboldened by the return of Lord Voldemort, the Death Eaters are wreaking havoc in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that new dangers may lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. He needs Harry to help him uncover a vital key to unlocking Voldemort's defenses—critical information known only to Hogwarts' former Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn. With that in mind, Dumbledore manipulates his old colleague into returning to his previous post with promises of more money, a bigger office... and the chance to teach the famous Harry Potter.

Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry's long friendship with Ginny Weasley is growing into something deeper, but standing in the way is Ginny's boyfriend, Dean Thomas, not to mention her big brother Ron. But Ron's got romantic entanglements of his own to worry about, with Lavender Brown lavishing her affections on him, leaving Hermione simmering with jealousy yet determined not to show her feelings. And then a box of love potion-laced chocolates ends up in the wrong hands and changes everything.

As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof with far more important matters on his mind. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

Though Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuaron still holds the crown for best film in the series, David Yates is making an attempt at a coup with HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. Dark, gleefully funny, and beautifully shot, this adaptation of J.K. Rowling's novel should please fans despite numerous changes to the 650-page source material.

In this sixth film in the series, Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) inevitable confrontation with the dark wizard Voldemort grows closer, and Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) wants the young student to be prepared. He guides Harry through a memory of a young Voldemort, but an important moment is missing. Harry must extract this memory from the new Hogwarts teacher, Horace Slughorn (a perfectly slimy Jim Broadbent), who is as eager for fame as he is reluctant to revisit this painful moment.

Meanwhile, romance rules the school of witches and wizards, with Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) refusing to admit their feelings for each other. Harry also harbors a secret love of his own: Ron's younger sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright). But despite his crush, Harry keeps an eye on Snape (Alan Rickman) and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), who may be responsible for attacks on the school.

HALF-BLOOD PRINCE deftly balances the humor of Hogwarts heartbreak and the thrills of dark villains attacking the school. The cast is as talented as ever, and the youngest members—Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson—have developed their talent well. However, this film is most remarkable for its fine cinematography from Amelie director of photography Bruno Delbonnel. Using a muted palette, Delbonnel makes Hogwarts look hauntingly beautiful in a way that fans have never seen. There's always plenty of fun and adventure in the series, but this entry boasts impressive visuals as well.