Below is the Mini Review from Cineman Syndicate for a film opening on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. The chosen wizard finally looks comfortable in his own skin, having left adolescence behind if not his sneakers. And although the sixth installment still seems to be biding time until a final showdown between Harry and Lord Voldemort, the emphasis on character development offsets any narrative sluggishness. With Death Eaters on the ascendant, Draco prepares to commit a dastardly deed while his Hogwarts' peers endure the throes of first love. Jim Broadbent constitutes another excellent cast addition playing a professor with a secret Dumbledore needs Harry to discover. The effects are sufficiently dazzling and the script's balance between humor and peril nicely calibrated. (PG) GOOD ACTION-FANTASY

Director - David Yates

Lead - Daniel Radcliffe

Running Time - 153 mins.

Capsule review by John P. McCarthy

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