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Scott Lumley: I haven't read the books. I've tried, and her writing style is anathema to me. I'm sure some people love her style, but I'm not one of them.

This puts me in an odd position. There are parts of the movie I really liked. There are characters I really appreciate. But the last half hour or so of the movie really left me with no idea what the hell was going on. A friend that had read the books explained to me later that (CENSORED) with (DELETED) by (SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!) with the (NOPE, WE'RE NOT SPILLING THE BEANS.). But if he hadn't done that, it would have left me very, very confused.

Max Braden: I texted both my brothers (aged around 30) this weekend, "Let me know if you're seeing Potter, I'll join you," kind of expecting their wives would have planned to go. They both independently responded, "Yeah right, I won't be going any time soon." So I didn't bother going. I haven't read the books and have really only watched the previous movies with analytical interest, so I've never really been invested in the series. I find them more appealing when they're dealing with deadly magic and sleuthing rather than Quidditch and gee-wiz classroom scenes. I may still see Half-Blood Prince in theaters because it's a big screen type of movie.

Jim Van Nest: I don't want to spoil anything, but I was VERY disappointed with the ending of the movie. I liked it all the way up to the end, but I wasn't very happy with how they chose to end it. They took a major piece of the climax out of the film...and I can't understand why. I understand why they took the epilogue out, as it really wasn't needed...but I sure would have liked to see it end the right way.

Sean Collier: I'm the patent opposite of the target audience - I've never read a Potter book, I've never seen a Potter film, and I was only at this one because I had to review it. That being said, I thought the film was visually strong, well acted, well paced, and thoroughly entertaining, to the point where I might see the next two even if not required to do so - can't imagine I'm going to start from the top, but the movie did a decent job of getting me turned around on the franchise.

Scott Lumley: Way off topic, but I will mention that I do own a copy of the first film and it does a great job of introducing the world of Potter. I'm not really a fan of the series, but even I can recommend that one heartily.

Kim Hollis: And I would counter that the first film is easily the weakest of the series, but it does in fact hold up better than I remembered. They all have a nice flow from one to the next, which is especially impressive given the fact that the directors changed from time to time.

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