In July, Screen Rant posted the first trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. That trailer was more of a teaser and I really dug it personally. Today, we have for you the brand new trailer, released internationally for your viewing pleasure.
I should probably let it be known that I am not a Harry Potter fan. The running joke amongst my movie-going friends is that I refuse to see them in theater even when we organize group events to do so. To this day, my record holds and I’ve not seen any Harry Potter film on the big screen. It’s not that I dislike the films (I enjoyed them on DVD), it’s just that I haven’t felt motivated ever to see these. There are many reasons why and you could probably find some of them by reading the comments in previous Screen Rant threads on the topic.
|
|
However, there’s a good chance I’ll see at least one of the next three in theater though (remember, Harry Potter 7 is two movies) since I want to start reviewing movies and these are probably important ones to see.
With each installment in the franchise, the films seem to be turning more and more into a visual spectacle loaded with intense special effects. From the trailer, this film is clearly no exception.
Take a look for yourselves and see what you think:
The film appears action-packed and more mature-themed then ever as we see Harry, Hermione and Ron along with the rest of our familiar residents of Hogwarts growing up into young adults. The trailer shows Ron and some girl (Lavender Brown) making out(!), Harry trying to be a playboy and lots and lots of fire. I guess these are the three key marketing points this time around.
Harry Potter 6 was originally scheduled for release on November 21st but Warner Bros. pushed the date all the way back to next summer for it to act as a summer tentpole event. This caused a big stir amongst the fans because it was very last-minute and even though the film appears to have been completed (or very near completion), we won’t see it in theaters until July 17th, 2009. To me, this makes no sense because this film will make an insane amount of money and everyone who wants to see it, will see it whether it be November or July, but I suppose studios want to vie for the title of “biggest summer box office.”
Interestingly, the trailer ends by stating “this year.” So does that mean it still is coming soon in the U.K.? That’s extremely doubtful since it was announced to come out there on July 17th, 2009 like everywhere else. Unless of course they want this to be the most pirated movie of all time. Maybe this trailer is older and just wasn’t released till now. But even that is strange because the text at the end is the easiest and quickest part to fix.
What do you think of the trailer?
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is due out July 17th, 2009.




80 Comments
Wow looks to be the best movie in the series yet. The movies leave a LOT of details, character development, etc. out that the books provide. I totally agree with the more mature comment made. The thing with the series (and I personally thought it very unique and kudos to Rowling for this approach even if accidental)was that as the characters grew up the content and writing stylings grew up also. When the first book hit the market the main characters were pre teen kids excited to be going to school. The series is told from their POV and as they mature and grow up so does the story
Uh…that’s not Hermione kissing Ron, that’s Lavender Brown. Friendly hint: if you don’t want to earn the ire of the very obsessed fandom, you may want to also read the books before you begin writing reviews…they help with little details like that one, which is a big deal to the fans.
)
I know I was laughing to when I read that it was Ron and Hermione kissing. This does look like it will be the best in the series and thankfully darker more mature film. If anyone doesn’t listen to mugglecast Eric got to see a early screening and he talks about the film without giving to much away and anyone who listens to mugglecast have read the books so spoilers are scarce.
That looks like it might be the best in the series.
So dose this mean WB is not going to trow a hissy fit over the leaked trailer. I listened to the live mugglecast yesterday, it was awesome.
Yeah make sure you know who doing (kissing) what before you post an article. And you should go see the movies in the theaters its a completely different experience.
lol, my apologies.
The error has been fixed. I’ve not read the books (obviously) and I clearly didn’t notice who it actually was from the split-second scene, heh. Then again, that was my angle of the article, hehe.
it looks like its gonna be the best one yet. i cant wait for it to come out. such ashame we all have to wait until july
Yeah it does make the story sound better if it was them making out. but thanks for changing it!
Looks fantastic! I’ve never been too into these movies, but still look foreward to all of them. The last one started getting more serious and “dark” and it was easily the best so far. But the “dark” theme in the two trailers I’ve seen for this is awesome. Can’t wait.
im excited for the new movie. Ive read all the books and I have to say this was my least favorite but mabey the movie will be better.
So what do you think Rob, are they gonna surprise us with a late December release? or were they just too lazy to remove the date?
i love you harry potter so mutch thank you
Hey Rob, if you are going to see an HP movie in the the theaters for the first time, might I make a suggestion?
IMAX. Definitely.
I’ve only seen the last two movies in the theaters, since I didn’t become a fan until 2005. When the last movie came out I saw it on a regular screen first, and then went to an IMAX screen. I tell you, nothing compares to seeing it on IMAX, even if they don’t have the 3-D effects (which HBP will have for the last 20 or 30 minutes, I believe).
IMAX! geeze, it would be a miracle for people to get me see it in regular theatres, let alone make the trek down to the nearest IMAX screen, lol.
That being said, some of my buds saw the last one in IMAX and it had two sequences where they put on their 3D glasses. That sounds pretty cool.
@Oscar!,
I doubt it. I can’t think of any reasonable explanation for it saying ‘this year’ in the trailer.
They’ve already committed to it being released next summer, and they made a point of making it a world-wide release on that day.
I don’t think they want to stir up the fans anymore, now that the fires are settling, hehe.
” cuz ur the chosen one”
well alright NEO.
give it a rest !
Lol
Omg this is defenitly very teasing, omg July is ages away, wish they made it like febuary or something not JULY
i can’t believe how greedy and selfish the people at WB are! but i suppose they have to be that way… I know this is just going to end up biting them in the as*es though, because, with the whole world of andgry harry fans and geeks out there, odds are the movie will somehow be leaked. And WB will lose so much more than they stood to lose if they released it when they promised! However, a die hard fan like me will still pay her $9.50 and see it at the movies…
Oooo, I can’t wait til this comes out. The darker content seems to be pulled off very smoothly. I can’t wait to see what they do with Draco and Snape! That’s going to be action packed for sure.
And I just love it…”She’s only into you cause your suppose to be the chosen one you know…. But I am the chosen one” ^_- Harry’s getting all smirky on us.
Only can anyone tell who the girl is supposed to be?
As for the fact that they moved the movie date. I think the opening weekend should be boycotted…that will at least hit them where it hurts and get the point across. Then I can happily go see it in the theater a week alter ^_^
Hey, Cali, Rowling is an excellent author, and there was nothing accidental about the growing maturity of characters, plot, or writing style. She knew exactly what she was doing!
Rob, your review of the movie according to the trailer was worded well but sadly lacking in accurate details or understanding of the story. My reccommendation: if you plan to review something intelligently, you definitely need to do the research prior to writing. In the case of Harry Potter, reading the books is a necessity if you intend to comment on the movies since the screenplays leave whole chunks of important stuff out…understandable considering the length and intricacies of the books.
And hmr, I saw The Prisoner of Azkaban in IMAX and was sadly disappointed. It didn’t seem any better to me than viewing it at my neighborhood Harkins. The seats weren’t even as comfortable! The only good thing about it was that I have an Educator’s Pass so was able to see it for free! Now if they show it in 3D, I’ll be there for sure!!!
Great trailer. I believe the girl eye’ing Harry is Romilda Vane (if the movie stays close to the book).
I think it’s naive to believe it wasn’t released this year for any reason other than it STUNK!!! They spend $100+ million on a movie, and then they sit on it for 9 months to make $350 million in July 2009 rather than $330 million in October 2008. “Ridiculous”. The fact that the trailer still says “This Year” is mind boggling, because they’ve known the 2008 release date for months & months & then bumped it to 2009. It’s just another example of WB / Rowling film-making sloppiness and cheapness. Greed at the expense of the dedicated fans.
Hiring directors that are cheaper, composers, marketing firms, and getting Rowling overly involved in the screenplay will create 3 movies with fantastic special effects, and thinned out plots that are meaningless to non-fans (OotP), and frustrating to longtime fans.
(P.S. – I’ve seen the midnight opening for the last three films in IMAX & it is worth it for the ultra-big screen experience & more importantly for the CRAZY fan excitement and participation in the movie watching – The fans in costume are great too!)
This movie looks absolutely AWESOME!!!
But, we (as a family) were truly looking fwd. to it opening next mo. NOT next yr.–VERY DISAPPOINTED!!! 
I don’t understand; if the film’s finished already, then why push the opening back all the way to next summer?! It’s stupid, selfish, & greedy–also not fair to the fans are so incredibly devoted & loyal. We’ve been waiting long enough–come on–move it back to Nov. already!
I understand the frustration – I feel that way myself about J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” being pushed back a similar amount of time from this December to next May.
But as to accusations of “greedy studios,” folks need to remember that a movie studio is a *business* above all else (believe it or not). They spend millions to make movies and the goal is to make as much money as possible from that investment.
For a studio it’s death to not have at least a couple of big summer movies, and with the writers’ strike delaying so many productions, things are being shuffled to fill the Summer ‘09 vacuum.
Vic
Anyhow.. What someone said about this movie stinking, ummm….Doubtful…..
They try to say Writer’s Strike, etc… The truth of the matter is, after Warner Brothers….said this, and this about The Dark Knight and not wanting to have all the success because of Heath Ledger’s death and such, they did exactly that….. Dark Knight made 540million in the United States alone, and they were going to milk it for all it is worth…. Yes there was a writer’s strike, but this movie was done months ago….Writer’s Strike only affects new production…..The script was already done on this….They started filming it in September of 2007
@Michael
The writers’ strike causes a delayed reaction. No writing happening earlier this year affects movies that wouldn’t have been released until next summer. So there is a dearth of “big” movies coming out and Warners decided to use this one to fill in that gap.
Vic
Hey Michael, you need to check your facts. The Dark Knight producers, after gaining permission from Ledger’s parents, continued the advertising plan for Dark Knight that was already in place before Ledger’s death. By the way, it hasn’t quite grossed $530 million in the US, yet.
As someone already pointed out, WB is out to make as much as possible on HBP…it’s their responsibility to their company to do so. If they deem a summer opening to be more advantageous, that’s what they will do. If we consumers don’t want to contribute to their box office take, just don’t go to the movie.
Quite honestly, I’m happy that the movies are getting darker and starting to reflect the “book” HP more. Before, it was all too fairy tale. In the books, Harry was absolutely NOT that naive or kind. In fact, the indecision in saving Cedric Diggory was the BEST movie display of the “true” HP.
I have to say, I think this one will finally draw in the people who have been abstaining simply because the movies are “juvenile” and lack the intricate book plots.
And as for WB pushing the premier back to July 09, I’m not all that devastated. At first, I was livid. But with Twilight filling HP’s spot and HP being released to theatres in July, I think that was smooth planning on WB’s part. Why compete with Twilight (which, by the way, is generating a HUGE spark) when they can fill in the gap of Summer 09?
Just one Question…..
if it is still coming out NEXT YEAR….Why is there a banner on this page to ORDER TICKETS NOW!! with a countdown for the original release date saying ‘Forever begins in 20 days” ????????? are they pushing it back to the original release date!?!?!?
@Anthony
Um, TWILIGHT opens this year, Harry Potter opens next year. The ads are for Twilight.
Vic
What's your opinion? Leave a Reply!
Go to Gravatar.com and upload your own (we'll wait)!