Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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 Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry finds himself more and more drawn to Ginny, but so is Dean Thomas. And Lavender Brown has decided that Ron is the one for her, only she hadn't counted on Romilda Vane's chocolates! And then there's Hermione, simpering with jealously but determined not to show her feelings. As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof. 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.

Dove Review

I must admit to not being a “Harry Potter” expert. At the screening I saw, there were a few scenes which included certain looks from characters, or dialog, which caused the audience to erupt into laughter and I didn’t know why. I didn’t get the “inside” jokes. But I was able to follow the story pretty easily. This film is well made with very nice special effects and the acting was fine. In one humorous scene in which I did get, a certain female character admitted to sleepwalking at night and says, “That’s why I always wear shoes to bed!”

However, there are dark themes explored in the film, as with previous installments of the “Potter” series, which includes a witch in full costume along with a black hat, characters riding on broomsticks, potions being used and wands used as weapons. Along with the magic, there is the death of a major character and there was grief in the story as the characters tried to come to grips with the fateful death. Due to the dark themes and magic, we are unable to award our Dove Seal to this film.

Dove Rating Details

Faith

Harry learns to ask for help with his problems, and how to be better help in return; loyalty to friends is stressed

Integrity

Some battles with wands; one character ends up bloody from wounds from a wand fight; a bridge collapses and people panic; dragon blood drips from ceiling; a character is struck and winds up with a bloody nose; a villain sets a house on fire; some explosions from battles; a man cuts his own hand as part of a ritual spell but little blood is seen.

Sex

Kissing by a few young couples.

Language

Bloody H-1; G/OMG-3

Violence

Drugs

Wine is consumed; a few other scenes in which alcohol is consumed including at a tavern; a reference to a stiff potion (alcohol) at the end of the day; a "luck" potion and a few other potions are used.

Nudity

Mild cleavage.

Other

Creatures fly from dizzying height and viewer is given their point of view; potions are used and characters fly on brooms; dark themes are explored and betrayal; witchcraft is used and one female character wears full regalia including a black hat; a sign says "Divine Magic"; magic is used to restore broken house items including a chandelier; a young witch is riding a broom in a picture; some guys play a kind of soccer game from the sky while riding brooms; magic is used to close a door; one character says he can make bad things happen to people who hurt him; the same character says a snake tells him to do certain things; a girl's body is moved around by an evil power; a character vomits in a non-graphic scene; a character says that killing splits the soul; creatures emerge from water; a character dies in the story and there is grief.