My experience with book six of the Harry Potter series was different than most. I read it a bit late and by that time all the surprises had been ruined for me. Therefore, the book didn't have the same emotional impact on me as it did others. I really read it because I felt obligated to do so in order to complete the series and to prepare for the final book (which I read before anyone could ruin anything for me). This detachment from what many considered one of the best books left me a bit indifferent to said book, and I felt the same about the new movie. I was excited for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but I wasn't expecting anything better than the previous films. Imagine my surprise, then, when I discovered that not only is Harry Potter 6 my favorite film in the franchise, but one of my favorite films of the summer.

Maturity. That's the word that I think best describes this movie. With this sixth cinematic outing, Harry Potter has come of age. From the performances of all the principal actors to the cinematography to the music to the script... every element of the Harry Potter world feels more mature in this film. This is no longer just some whimsical child fantasy, this is a serious, somber adventure full of touching moments, high-adventure, deep grief, and a dark sense of foreboding. It is both the darkest film of the series and the one filled with the most light. I know that seems contradictory, but as darkness gathers around these characters, their virtues shine all the brighter.

There were many things that surprised me about The Half-Blood Prince. I was surprised at how much I cared for these characters. More than any previous film, there are many special character moments here that fans will delight in. Those who aren't as familiar with Harry and his friends may find these scenes drag on too long or don't really accomplish anything, but for those of us who have followed these characters for all these years we are rewarded for our faithfulness as we share in some of their most special, tender moments, all of which are handled beautifully by director David Yates. These moments give this movie a unhurried richness often lacking in the previous films. In fact, I think Yates has really hit his stride with this film, and that confidence and assurance is on full display in this movie. It leaves me with high hopes for what he will accomplish with the final films.

I was also surprised by the somber dignity of this movie. Although there are plenty of light-hearted moments filled with laughter, the kind of laughter you share with dear friends and close family, underlying it all is foreboding sense of dread. Things are getting serious for our heroes, and in this adventure they finally realize just how serious things are and just how much is at stake. They finally come to terms with just how dark the darkness that's enveloping everything truly is, and how much it will cost them to stand and shine the light in the face of that darkness.

One of the most beautiful moments of the film deals with that very issue: light standing against darkness. At perhaps the darkest moment of the film, both literally and figuratively, the staff and students of Hogwarts raise their wands. Each wand glows with a tiny point of light: insignificant on its own, but when joined with the others it produces powerful light that chases away the shadow hanging over them all. It's a poignant and beautiful moment in the movie that illustrates a great truth: light always triumphs over darkness. In fact, darkness and shadow can only grow in the absence of light. As soon as a light is switched on, the shadows flee and the darkness evaporates. You never see light struggling to overcome darkness, you never see light being overwhelmed by shadow. Even a small light can push back the darkness. Jesus said people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl, they put it on a stand so it can give light to the whole house. In the same way, we must shine our light in the world (Matthew 5:14-16). This world is in desperate need of some light; are you bold enough to shine it?

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