***SYNOPSIS*** - Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information. Even as the decisive showdown looms, romance blossoms for Harry, Ron, Hermione and their classmates. Love is in the air, but danger lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same.
***VIDEO QUALITY***The film arrives in a faithful 1080p transfer using the VC-1 video codec.Presented in the original aspect ratio of 2.39:1 I found this transfer to replicate the feeling and look of the film that I saw at my local theater this past summer.I've seen several forums and reviews stating that this transfer is not good and marred by edge enhancement.I personally felt that is not the case due to the desaturated colors and close to black and white imagery a choice of how the filmmakers wanted to present the film.It is dark to be sure but delineation remained consistent always revealing just the right amount of detail in shadows.Blacks were deep.I was stunned by the amount of fine detail that was exhibited as well as crisp, refined textures.I noticed grain during the film which in my opinion is always welcome.There were no signs of DNR applied as any instance of softness should be attributed to the filmmakers' original intentions.Warner did right by the film, presenting it the way it is intended to look. 9/10
***AUDIO QUALITY***If anyone has reservations about the transfer will be won over with this excellent Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track.Things get off to a booming start with tight bass signaling the sonic majesty that is the opening sequence of a bridge collapsing after being attacked by Death Eaters.The results are thunderous but always striking the perfect balance of an immersive soundscape that envelops you in its' grasp.Rear channel activity is present even during quieter moments of the film, with the enviroment of Hogwarts' coming to life.Dialogue is clean and easy to understand, which is perfect for those who have a hard time distinguishing the British accents.This is a truly magnificent track that is going to be used for demonstration purposes of my personal system for months to come. 10/10
***SPECIAL FEATURES***
**DISC 1**
* Maximum Movie Mode - Picture-in-Picture feature that pops up during the film with the cast and crew offering information on the film.
* Focus Points (HD,38 min) - Behind-the-scenes featurette that can be either viewed during Maximum Movie Mode, or viewed individually.
**DISC 2**
* Close Up with the Cast of Harry Potter (HD)- There are eight different segments here with a member of the cast exploring behind the scenes aspects of the film.
- Editing with Daniel Radcliffe (HD,4 min)- Daniel Radcliffe visits editor Mark Day during the editing process of the film.Fun and short.
- Special Effects with Matthew Lewis, Oliver Phelps and Tom Felton (HD,4 min)- Special effects expert Matthew Harlow shows a few of the actors how pyrotechnics work on the film with a rigged up cauldron. We also get a glimpse at some of the toys that can be found in the Weasley Twins' toy shop.
- Stunt Training with Rupert Grint (HD,2 min) - Rupert Grint visits stunt performer Nick Daines to learn how the stunts are performed in the movie. Rupert practices his scenes for Quidditch in a safety harness
- Owl Training with Jessie Cave - (HD,2 min) Jessie Cave (Lavender) visits Guillaume Grange, owl expert, to find out how the beautiful owls of the film were trained.
- Costume Designs with Evanna Lynch (HD,4 min)- Costume designer Jany Temime explains how she designed the costumes used in the film.
- Art with Bonnie Wright (HD,2 min)- Bonnie Wright takes us along on a tour of the art department and shows us different props used for the Weasley Twins' store. Graphic designer, Eduardo Lima shows us how they came up with some of the names for the fictional products.A shame it is so short because there is so much detail in the work that was done on these props.
- Behind the Camera with James Phelps (HD,4 min)- We are shown what it's like to be an Assistant Director.
- Makeup with Emma Watson (HD,5 min)- Emma visits Amanda Knight who has been head of make up for each of the films. Emma gets a Dark Mark tattoo.
- One Minute Drills (HD,7 min)- Each one of the main actors gets 60 seconds to describe very prompt their character's story arc throughout the last 6 films.
* First Footage from Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (HD,2 min)- Nothing significant is shown but we do get some clips of footage from the new film's mixed with behind the scenes work.
* A Year in the Life of JK Rowling (HD,50 min)- A fascinating look at JK Rowling during her time finishing the last book.A must watch for even casual fans.
* What's on Your Mind (HD,7 min)- Tom Felton asks the cast different questions and they have to answer speedily.
* Additional Footage (HD,7 min)- A total of eight additional or extended scenes are included here:
- "Harry and Hermione Walk Through the Halls of Hogwarts"
- "Harry and Hermione Discuss Marauder's Map"
- "Harry, Ron & Hermione Discuss the Vanishing Cabinet"
- "Harry and Dumbledore Arrive at Cave Entrance"
- "Harry and Dumbledore Leave Cave"
- "Clouds Gather over Hogwarts as Flitwick Conducts Choir"
- "Harry Joins Ron, Hermione and Ginny in the Common Room"
- "Harry and Hermione Discuss Ron at Astronomy Tower"
**Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features**
The following features are available via Warner BD-Live
* Harry Potter Spells - Trailer for a new Harry Potter game.
* The Making of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The Video Game - Here we see the how the video game based on the film was made.
* The Death Eaters Destroy the Great Hall: A Visual Effects Guide - Visual effects supervisor Tim Burke guides through the development of a special effects intense scene.
* The Bridge Attack: A Visual Effects Guide - Tim Burke shows us how CG effects were used when the Death Eaters destroy a famous bridge in London.
* Daniel Radcliffe Introduces The Harry Potter Ultimate Editions - Daniel Radcliffe gives an overview of the newly released 'Ultimate Editions' of the first two films.
* Harry Potter Live Community Screeing - When you first get to the BD Live interface you’ll be greeted by Daniel Radcliffe informing you about the Live Community Screening that will take place on December, 12. He lets you know that fans will be able to ask him questions while the film is playing and he’ll answer them.
**DISC 3**
* DVD - A Widescreen DVD disc of the film is also included.
* Digital Copy- A digital copy code of the film is included to download the film to your PC,Mac, or iPod.
