My reaction was totally different - I liked the book and I thought the movie stank, especially the ending. They did a great job with the Slughorn plotline, a so-so job with all the romance, and a complete disaster with Snape, the Death Eaters, and any general sense of growing danger.

However, I read the book right after the Big Spoiler hit the internet, and thought the book held up well at a reading *knowing* what was coming at the end... allowing the reader to pore over each scene, wincing, trying to work out "Is he or isn't he? Is it an act? Is it true? Did he know what he was swearing to?" That, plus the extra information about the Horcruxes, made post-HBP a very exciting time for the fandom, with theories flying wildly.

The movie really lacked suspense - Harry seemed a lot more worried about his love life than anything else. My husband, who hasn't read the books, was thoroughly lost as to what the point of the "Half Blood Prince" thing was at ALL - why the movie was called that, why the HBP himself was called that, and why the book was being suddenly hidden away.

And the ending was totally neutered.

*sulky fangirl noises* :)
 

I dunno - I had that reaction in the book, personally. Though the movie didn't delve into Harry's obsession with the potions textbook nearly as much, but it still seemed week to me in the novel.

I really liked how they handled Draco, Snape, and Dumbledore at the climax of the movie. Especially Draco and Snape.

But I thought the problem with the book AND the movie was that there was a lot going on without a lot actually happening, if that makes any sense. Maybe I should go back and re-read the book again to see if my opinion has changed... assuming I ever find time. :)

For the record, my favorites of the books AND movies so far have been Prisoner and Phoenix.
 

I never read the books and what little Harry Potter I have been exposed to has been in supporting my children's entertainment budget. And it was with that I found my self taking them to the movie.

And to me, the movie was a long dragging emergency. Felt like yes, the end of the world as we know it is near, but we are just not in that much of a hurry to deal with it. We have time for heartache, first kisses with new loves, jealousies, and obsessions...but not for a concerted, informed effort at dealing with the issues at hand.

And the sad thing is that without even reading the book I could have told you it was not a strong one and that it was most of a large volume of we-need-to-tell-this-pre-stuff-so-that-you-will-be-ready-for-the-real-book. It felt like a 3 hour preamble to the real adventure.

From a table top perspective it was more like a "we haven't played in a while, so lets catch up and have a session to get ready for the new campaign".

Didn't like it. But hey, the kids did...so...guess it was okay in the end.

Just my $.02.
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