A large percentage of the country went into a bit of a meltdown when this latest installment of the scar faced wonder wizard was pushed back from a Christmas 08 release to summer 09. But you need not rock yourself to sleep anymore, its here, and this time so are the hormones, more than ever before.

If the previous Potter, Order Of The Phoenix, was full of teenage angst, this time round theres awkward romance on the cards: Potters (Radcliffe) got the hots for Rons (Grint) little sis, Ginny; Rons got a girlfriend on the go, Lavender Brown; and Hermione (Watson). Shes just got the hump, mostly due to her unrequited feelings for young Mr Weasley. These complex love shenanigans form the lighter side of Half Blood Prince, lifting the darkness that shrouds the film. Its been a theme of the Potters that the tone has got bleaker with every new installment, and this is no exception. Away from the love in, things have got very dark indeed.

Voldemort (Fiennes) is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds, with Hogwarts no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects danger may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemorts defenses, with Dumbledore recruiting his old friend and colleague, the well connected Professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent). Then theres Potter?s old classroom rival, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). Hes been skulking on the sidelines since the beginning, but now he moves into the limelight, stepping up to have it out with Harry once and for all.

If you?re a fan of the series, it doesnt matter what anyone says, youll be seeing this. For those who dont have clue, but want to know, definitely start from the beginning. David Yates, at the helm for his second Potter (hes also signed on for the grand finale double header too), is really beginning to stamp his mark on the wizard universe. The book was mostly a precursor to the final showdown, the film version, however, manages to stand alone, whilst whetting appetites for the dramatic ending.