BEIJING, July 18 -- Hundreds of Harry Potter fans braved the hot, humid weather late Tuesday night to catch the opening of J.K. Rowling's latest sequel, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, at the Shanghai Film Art Center. The sixth installment of the big-screen adaptation of the Potter series opens with a moody orchestral tone, which transports viewers back to the land of the Hogwarts and the Muggles. The cast, now in their teenage years, are forced to face up to the dark forces waiting beyond the enchanted gate of Hogwarts School, including the evil Lord Voldemort. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (sidekick Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) are back with the addition of Jim Broadbent as Potions Professor Horace Slughorn, whose memoirs are key in the battle against the Dark Lord. Writer Steve Kloves cleverly interprets Rowling's novel in dramatic form while creating new scenes, including the opening attack on London's Millennium Bridge. With each movie, the stories have become darker and more thematically complex, while the young actors playing Harry, Ron and Hermione have matured along with their characters. Harry's skin thickens with each new chapter as he confronts difficult emotions and challenges. Meanwhile, Hermione has blossomed into a smart, sophisticated young woman, while Ron is more static. Though the relationships between the three friends are not always problem-free, they remain more or less inseparable. Splendid sound and visual effects add fire to this fantasy-action film, which uses 28 songs to match the story's development, as created by Nicholas Hooper, who also worked on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix anthems. Even as it heads toward its climax, the Potter series continues to be one of the most satisfying and entertaining movie franchises today. Part 1 of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is set for release in 2010. Sources: China Daily
