Discuss: What Do You Think of the New Harry Potter Trailer?

by Eric D. Snider Nov 14th 2008 // 5:02PM

Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, New Releases, Warner Brothers, Fandom, Family Films, Harry Potter, Trailers and Clips

That's the new two-minute trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince below, which Warner Bros. is hoping will help stave off death threats from fans who are still resentful that the film was pushed back to next July from its original release date of next week. (Just think! If it weren't for that, you'd be seeing the film less than seven days from now!) We featured it earlier today in Trailer Park, but come on -- a Harry Potter trailer deserves special attention.

One thing that's notable is that there is no reference, not even a hint, to the Big Surprising Terrible Thing that occurs near the end of the book and that presumably also occurs in the movie. (Although it would be funny if it didn't happen in the movie. "Oh, yeah, So-and-So's death? Eh, we cut it. No room. Maybe in the next film.") It's not exactly a well-kept secret anymore -- hard to do that when the book has sold 65 million copies -- but I appreciate that the trailer keeps a lid on it for those who watch the movies but don't read the books.

For those who have read the book, though, the trailer has glimpses of things that surely relate to the Big Surprising Terrible Thing: a shot of Draco Malfoy looking panicked and sickly, a shot of Snape firing his wand, etc. The scenes of Death Eater attacks on London look great, and I hope the film makes full use of how scary that aspect of the story is. (Magical people fighting each other, meh. Magical people fighting each other and harming innocent bystanders, yikes!)

It's been a while since I've read the book, but doesn't the trailer's focus on the "love potion" seem lopsided? Was it that big a deal in the book? I remember the luck potion being far more crucial to the story.

Two last points. First, it's great to see the wonderful Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn. For me, Broadbent was on the shortlist of British actors who just had to appear in a Harry Potter film eventually, and he's terrific in everything he does. Second, it looks like Quidditch is back! How long has it been since we saw some juicy Quidditch action?

What do you think of the trailer? Will it tide you over for a while? Does it look like they're on the right track? Girls, are you glad to see Ron in a tank top? Guys, is Hermione only getting hotter? Sound off in the comments.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

Daniel Radcliffe during a unveiling of an original prop from the original "Equus" from 1974 at The Broadhurst Theatre on November 12, 2008 in New York City..Daniel Radcliff and the Cast of "Equus" Present an Original Prop From the 1974 Show.The Broadhurst Theatre.New York, NY United States.November 12, 2008.Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (56169029), contact FilmMagic.com

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Emma Roberts poses after seeing Daniel Radcliffe in "Equus" on Broadway at The Broadhurst Theater on October 19, 2008 in New York City..Celebrities Visit Broadway - October 19, 2008.Broadway.New York, NY United States.October 19, 2008.Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (55996097), contact FilmMagic.com

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Emma Watson attends the Frieze Art Fair at Regent's Park on October 15, 2008 in London, England..Frieze Art Fair - Private View.Regent's Park.London, United Kingdom.October 15, 2008.Photo by Nick Harvey/WireImage.com..To license this image (55959238), contact WireImage.com

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Actress Emma Watson attends the Diesel xXx Rock & Roll Circus at Pier 3 on October 11, 2008 in Brooklyn, New York..Diesel xXx Rock & Roll Circus - Backstage.Pier 3.Brooklyn, NY United States.October 11, 2008.Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage.com..To license this image (55929032), contact WireImage.com

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Emma Watson attends the Chanel PFW Spring Summer 2009 show at Paris Fashion Week 2008 at Grand Palais on October 3, 2008 in Paris, France..Chanel - Paris Fashion Week- Spring/Summer '09.Grand Palais.Paris, France.October 3, 2008.Photo by Tony Barson/WireImage.com..To license this image (55873365), contact WireImage.com

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69 Comments

Tags: harry potter, harry potter and the half-blood prince, HarryPotter, HarryPotterAndTheHalf-bloodPrince

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

11-14-2008 @ 8:32PM

Jim McCaffrey said...

I really enjoyed the leader but wished it was a bit longer. From what I have seen I will definitely be seeing the movie. It appears to be as wonderful as all of the previous movies. I am so glad that the cast is in essence the same because they have managed to bring the books to life in a most wonderful way.

11-14-2008 @ 5:47PM

vegimorph said...

it looks all right. i don't know about anybody else but I personally miss the expierience of the first two Harry Potter movies. they were masterpieces, along with the first three books, but then the series went downhill for me. yeah, i understand that all good things have to end eventually but i wouldn't be surprised if the seventh movies just end pretty numbly like the seventh book did

11-16-2008 @ 3:45AM

cvblue58 said...

yeah the its spent 6 and 3/4 of a series buliding up toit it jiust didnt do it for me still the greatest book series ever

11-27-2008 @ 1:56AM

Jess said...

I disagree big time I think with each movie they got better. I do think the first two movies were very good, but in no way do I think the predecessors were or are going down hill.

11-29-2008 @ 1:20AM

vegimorph said...

yeah i can totally understand and respect your opinion Jess. I guess its just for me, the story just lost its spark. for you, it obviously didn't and that's a good thing. The later movies do definetely hold up to the books, but I guess I just lost interest because the series turned too much tone wise. Sorry if I made you mad

11-14-2008 @ 5:46PM

mphmuse said...

i wish it was July.

11-15-2008 @ 6:16PM

annie said...

me too!

11-16-2008 @ 6:00PM

Pooja said...

I know!
I can't wait at all, it gets released on my birthday!!!

11-14-2008 @ 5:55PM

sandk1415 said...

It looks great--can't wait until July!

11-14-2008 @ 6:06PM

Jim said...

This trailer is poorly done considering the history of this franchise. This thing should give me goosebumps watching it, but it's pacing (for a trailer) is way too slow and feels BLAH.

11-27-2008 @ 1:56AM

Jess said...

really?! wow Im like on the opposite end of the spectrum because I completely disagree this looks sooo so soo good. they just keep getting better I think

11-14-2008 @ 6:29PM

joits said...

its not that bad since it does show different things than previous trailers. i still prefer the two minute international trailer that was released a few weeks ago as that one had a more epic feel.

i think releasing a trailer for this movie only makes us remember that we could have been watching this next week but instead still have 8 months to go. better that warner bros just not do anything in terms of marketing until april.

11-14-2008 @ 6:40PM

Tracy said...

Personally I'm on the fence. The last movie was such a bad hatchet job that I'm not sure I want to endure another one. I remember being incredibly pissed off during Order of the Phoenix to the point where I remarked at the end "maybe someone else will make this movie and actually use the book as a reference."
It doesn't encourage me that the same director is doing this one. He seemed to think that the big selling point for OP was that he had cut the length of the movie (???????) Obviously he is not at all in touch with what HP fans want to see.
I have bought all the HP movies except the last one. It was such a horrible film I refused to buy it. If this one is as bad I will tell everyone I possibly can not to see it. The first two movies were indeed masterpieces. I can't help but think that they did not allow JK Rowling to be involved after that because I can't believe she would have let them make such a disaster of the later films.

11-14-2008 @ 8:56PM

Rebecca said...

I wouldn't call the rest of the series a travesty, per se, but I do agree that OP was THE WORST, and the director cutting out so much topic was the major reason why- I didn't know they are letting him do the new on as well- terrible idea!!! That being said, it's not like I won't watch it the SECOND it comes out and buy it on DVD the second IT comes out as well, so the result of the empire getting my money is the same as if it were the best.

11-16-2008 @ 1:52AM

Melissa said...

Amen!!!! Since that new director took over on the third one the movies have been a DISSASTER!!! For example: Hagrid's hut only has ONE room; HELLO-O-O-O!!!!!

11-16-2008 @ 4:17PM

Mary said...

SERIOUSLY. My 15th birthday party was going to see the 5th movie, and BLAH, they completely destroyed my birthday! PLUS, it ttly bugs me that they moved off the premiere back 8 months. It should have come out this month and I'm ABSOLUTELY, COMPLETELY, and TOTALLY pissed off about it. However, this trailer looks fairly decent (although I can't really remember the 6th book except that it was really boring and tehre wasn't much to it). On the bright side, considering the 6th didn't have much substance, maybe they won't have to take that much out of this next movie.

11-16-2008 @ 10:06PM

Tracy said...

what really bugs me is how much REALLY important information has been dropped from the movies. Like where the Marauders map came from, the Weasley's and their joke shop and Harry giving them the money to start it, oh the list is really too long to go on. Oh and thanks Mr Yates for making the Death Eaters fly cuz yeah, now it's no big deal that Voldemort can fly.
My question is...did he ever even read any of the books? I'm guessing no.

11-27-2008 @ 1:54AM

JEss said...

woah bitterness. I, personally liked the later films. still do. Proud owner of the Order of the Phoenix! woot!

11-28-2008 @ 3:01PM

Tracy said...

have you read the books Jess?

11-14-2008 @ 8:01PM

Bella said...

oh my gosh i cant wait for the movie to come out! the book does have points that i hope show up in the movie, but the other movies were more dark and mysterious and this one adds some humor. anyway i cant wait until July!

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