Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Dir: David Yates)

The plot of "Half Blood Prince" could fit on a cocktail napkin. Harry returns to Hogwarts, does some more coming of age, and tries to avert an evil plot by the forces of darkness. Like the Potter films before it, the production is competent, but leaves me with no desire to ever see it again. Having read the books, the films feel like visual Cliffs Notes with the only surprise being how the cast and crew interpret the material.

Director Yates, who helmed the previous Potter installment, gives us the gloomiest film yet. The thin material gives him a chance to show off including a wonderful CGI-enabled tracking shot that moves across the windows of Hogwarts from a scene of young Ron in love to a pensive Draco staring out hoplelessly to a shot of dawn breaking over Hogwarts. Jim Broadbent as the name-dropping Professor Slughorn delivers his usual strong work and gives the film a humane center in the midst of the exposition heavy script and CGI-wizardry.