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In an age of rewrites, fat salaries, and disappointing sequels, it's impressive that the "Harry Potter" film series has remained so consistent. A dependable cast is partly to blame. Other than Michael Gambon, who replaced the deceased Richard Harris in the role of Albus Dumbledore, the same actors have played the lead roles in every movie.

What has changed is the director in charge of bringing the magic of Hogwarts to life. From the kid-friendly Chris Columbus to Mexican auteur Alfonso Cuaron, four filmmakers have had a crack at the franchise.

However, producers were smart in hiring Englishman David Yates to carry out the last four installments. (Yates will helm the two-part screen adaptation of "Deathly Hallows," the final book of the "Harry Potter" series.) With "Order of the Phoenix," Yates propelled Harry, Hermione and Ron out of the kiddie pool and into a more sexually-charged adult world. The latest installment, "Half-Blood Prince," is the first Potter film to feel nothing like a children's movie, and it's the best since CuarÛn's "Prisoner of Azkaban."

In his sixth year at Hogwarts, Harry again lets more important things triumph over hormones. At the center of the story is jolly former professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent, "Hot Fuzz"), who possesses a powerful memory that may reveal the evil Lord Voldemort's whereabouts. In order to retrieve the memory, Prof. Dumbledore convinces the potions expert to rejoin the faculty. (In the world of Harry Potter, memories can be converted to visible liquid form.)

As Death Eaters (Voldemort's followers) create havoc in both the muggle (human) and magical worlds, our hero seeks to protect Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as nurture the beloved Dumbledore, who is fading with old age. On the side, Ron finds himself in a love triangle with Hermione and the obsessive Lavender Brown, played by the riotous big screen newcomer Jessie Cave.

In a world now familiar to even the casual Potter fan, the film treats magic as a necessary weapon, which allows for deeper back stories about the characters. Tom Felton, as the menacing Draco Malfoy, is particularly good. He shoves away cheap villainous tendencies in favor of believable emotions and doubt. At the film's climax, he beautifully showcases Malfoy's reluctance to turn completely to the dark side.

Although writing about a fantasy movie's special effects has become cliché, "Half-Blood Prince" is marvelous to see. The living photographs are still a kick, but other dazzlers almost overshadow the gripping story. The dark, rolling sky affiliated with the Death Eaters is truly menacing, and the inky drops that morph into memories ooze with trippy goodness.

With all the snogging and ghastly deeds hogging up screentime, it's easy to miss Jim Broadbent's excellent turn as Slughorn. From "Moulin Rouge" to "Bridget Jones's Diary," he has been the go-to guy when a script calls for a fatherly Brit. Broadbent plays Prof. Slughorn with humor and a lighthearted grin, but the guilt of contributing to Voldemort's reign of terror rests heavily on him.

There's not much to complain about in "Half-Blood Prince," yet it's not perfect. The series hasn't shied away from length, but at more than two-and-a-half hours, the film often drags. And it's not necessary. A scene in which Harry rushes to convince Slughorn to spill the beans should be quick and snappy, but a spider funeral and a series of reflective pauses nearly bring the entire film to a halt. This is a consistent problem that should have been solved in the editing room.

The romances weigh the movie down, too. Harry's subtle pursuit of Ron's sister Ginny is sweet and gradual, but Hermione's anguish about Ron and Lavender's relationship is too soapy to be taken seriously. This "One Tree Hill" goofiness is especially groan-inducing given the excellent character development that dominates the rest of the movie.

It's unlikely that "Half-Blood Prince" will be remembered as the film that transcends the franchise, but the high entertainment value should please more than the cult that Rowling built. It's a testament to a talented cast and excellent source material.

Harry Potter and the Half-blood prince

Rated PG. 153 minutes.

Science Fiction.

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent, Bonnie Wright, Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman.

Director: David Yates.