The most significant moment in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince occurs just before the end of the first act. Here, befitting a film franchise that is neurotically addicted to formula, the Hogwarts students, as they do in every Potter film at this point, are taking their places in the Grand Hall for the annual opening address by the school principal, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), however, arrives late, face mildly bloodied from a brutal encounter with Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). Harry dismisses the minor wound, but his loyal friend Hermione (Emma Watson) nonetheless turns halfway towards her prospective boyfriend, Ron (Rupert Grint), and halfway towards the camera, and wryly declaims: "He's covered in blood again! Why is he always covered in blood?"
It is a sweet and unexpected slice of wink-wink irony from a series that, so far, has never dreamt of such things. More importantly, it suggests a new departure and a new maturity for a brand that has made more than $3 billion (Dh11bn) at the international box office but proven repeatedly that slipshod, uninspired plotting, broad adult performances and stiff children's turns can be, given the right context (in this case a global literary phenomenon), the bland face of modern screen success.
It is, in other words, all changing with the Half-Blood Prince. Here, in a film written by the 49-year-old Texan Steve Kloves (The Fabulous Baker Boys) and directed by the UK TV veteran David Yates (State of Play, the series), JK Rowling's overloaded and stodgy source novel is treated respectfully yet loosely. Thus we are denied a series of crucial flashbacks later on in the tale, but we gain a bravura opening sequence in which a team of ghastly Death Eaters (cohorts of Ralph Fiennes's dark Lord Voldemort) fly over central London and destroy the Millennium Bridge.
From there onwards, the film calls a seemingly penitent cessation to the kind of inane CGI spectacle that has dogged previous outings (Giant spiders? Dragons? House elves?) and instead concentrates on, gasp, character work. In short, though the chattering teen protagonists learn that Voldemort is planning an attack on Hogwarts and that his minions are attempting to infiltrate the castle from within, they would all much rather, well, party. Thus, filling almost the entire second act of the film, the young heroes drift from a dinner party with the new potion teacher Professor Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), to a riotous post-Quidditch party in the student quarters, to a lavish Christmas party that comes complete with partners, music and flirtations. Along the way, Hermione falls even deeper in love with Ron, Harry loses his heart to Ron's sister, Ginny (Bonnie Wright), and Ron is romantically sucker-punched by the headstrong Lavender Brown (a gusty comic turn from Jessie Cave).
Best of all, the three leads, whose performances have previously tended to be of the nails-along-the-blackboard variety, are remarkably proficient. There's even a late-night scene between Harry and Ron, where they awkwardly discuss the merits of Ginny's skin, that demonstrates some knockout timing and deft delivery from both actors (in this, Grint is the more skilful performer, while Radcliffe is still burdened with a defensive gurning smile as his default setting).
Of course, this deft and unfussy character work may prove a hard sell for younger Potter fans who are more used to the schoolboy thrills of expecto patronum, Hagrid's hut and Dumbledore's Pensieve.
As if appealing directly to them, the film suddenly and awkwardly shifts tone in the final act - except for The Goblet of Fire, which had a clear three-goal narrative, structure has never been big in the Harry Potter world. Instead, lurching episodically, which is instinctive on the page, is ultimately what these films do. Consequently, the dark side, as commanded by Alan Rickman's turncoat Professor Snape, takes control of Hogwarts and wreaks some furious vengeance; a major character, for those who haven't read the books, is killed. Indeed, it is hugely appealing to witness the emerging endgame of Voldemort (only two more movies left!), and yet simultaneously frustrating to realise just how much the series has been lazily treading water with the master narrative until now.
The hope remaining for this fantasy brand, like The Lord of the Rings before it, is that the end will bring the best work yet. On the evidence of the Half-Blood Prince, we could be in for a handsome finale indeed.
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Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
GP3 race, 12:30pm
Formula 1 final practice, 2pm
Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm
Formula 2 race, 6:40pm
Performance: Sam Smith
Company%20Profile
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
The results of the first round are as follows:
Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent
Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent
Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent
Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent
Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
Squad: Majed Naser, Abdulaziz Sanqour, Walid Abbas, Khamis Esmail, Habib Fardan, Mohammed Marzouq (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai), Khalid Essa, Muhanad Salem, Mohammed Ahmed, Ismail Ahmed, Ahmed Barman, Amer Abdulrahman, Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain), Ali Khaseif, Fares Juma, Mohammed Fawzi, Khalfan Mubarak, Mohammed Jamal, Ahmed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Ahmed Rashid, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Wahda), Tariq Ahmed, Mahmoud Khamis, Khalifa Mubarak, Jassim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Yousef Saeed (Sharjah), Suhail Al Nubi (Baniyas)
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
