Why I Did Not Like "Half-Blood" Prince

I guess I should make this plain: It's not that I think Half-Blood prince was an awful film. It's just that David Yates clearly didn't read the book on which it was based and his screenwriter didn't fully understand which elements of the tome were most important to the story. So we get a movie that is untrue to the book series, that breaks the rules established by the author, and ignores elements that are crucial.

Case in point -- The Dursleys. Harry's aunt, uncle and cousin get no play in this movie. The last time we saw them they were taking Dudley to the hospital because he was attacked by a Dementor. Ok, pause. A hospital? And Petunia says nothing about knowing anything about Azkaban. And this time around, they don't even show up, even though it's important to know Harry is living with them specifically because he remains protected while in the home of his aunt, his mother's only living blood relative. The power of her love protects him until he comes of age. This is key.

Absence of the Order. Um, are we forgetting that Sirius Black died last go 'round. I don't think he was mentioned at all in this movie. What the F? Then, when the Death Eaters arrive at Hogwarts, the Order fails to show up. There's no battle, and Greyback doesn't maim anyone. Oh, and Tonks and Lupin are together when the movie starts? Again, what the F? The battle at Hogwarts, Bill Weasley's injury and Fleur's willingness to have him still are what brings these two together. Again, love, a central theme, emerges at the end of the book because love binds and protects, and will ultimately defeat Voldemort.

These are the major flaws... little things bother, like apperating and disapperating -- NO ONE can do this. And the attack at the Burrough -- DID NOT happen and would not happen because the Weasly's are protected with the same kind of magic that protects Hogwarts. They lose that protection in the final chapter when the Minister of Magic is murdered and the ministry falls. That's when they get the warning that the Death Eaters are coming and Harry, Hermione and Ron go on the run. Speaking of Minister of Magic -- where was he?!

I can't imagine what kind of ridiculous yarn they'll pull together to fill the gaps. I imagine Mr. Yates will give us a story only loosely resembling the novels on which his movies are supposed to be based. It will make tons of money. People who haven't read the books (i.e., all of the film critics) will say they're pleased, and I'll probably be dissatisfied as I've been the last two times.