Finally, the "Harry Potter" cast is given the opportunity to truly act. And it pays off in a film full of sadness, fear, darkness and raging teenage hormones. For this reason, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is one of the best of the franchise, matched maybe only by the exciting, action-filled "Goblet of Fire."

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) were all solid actors in the last two or three films, but when you see Harry Potter swell with confidence while drunk on liquid luck elixir or Ron madly in love with, well, everything after eating love potion-laced chocolates, you see these guys have serious comic chops. And in a time of heartbreak, Watson finally brings more to Hermione than being a nosey know-it-all.

The young stars aren't the only ones who deliver. Maybe the most impressive actor is Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore). After barely being a part of "The Order of the Phoenix," Dumbledore plays a much larger role in "The Half-Blood Prince," becoming more of an ally to Harry than an authority figure. By the film's end, the wise, endearing Dumbledore is the one who captures the hearts of the audience members.

That being said, this installment is not at all heartwarming. It is, by far, the darkest film of the series. It has the darkest tone. The film is shot mostly in shades of gray with a very ominous soundtrack. It has the darkest portrayals. Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) silently and intensely creeps around like Damien in "The Omen," and Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange) is bound to scare some kids with her cackles and jerky movements. It definitely has the darkest content. One student is thrust around like she's possessed by a demon and there's plenty of blood. Oh yeah, and people DIE.

While it's very dark, "The Half-Blood Prince" also cranks up the maturity level. Relationships, jealousy and make-out sessions sprout up throughout. Lavender Brown falls for Ron, but Ron falls (briefly) for Romilda Vane. Romilda Vane has eyes for Harry, but Harry has feelings for Ginny Weasley who is dating Dean Thomas. All the while, Hermione is heartbroken because of Lavender's relentless pursuit of Ron. Did I mention Cormac McLaggen has a crush on Hermione?

Maybe they should have called it "Harry Potter and the Young and the Restless."

Nevertheless, the romantic trials and tribulations are entertaining.

Acting: Check. Maturity: Check. Gloom: Check. Action: Well, that's the only place this film falls short. Unlike "The Goblet of Fire" and "The Order of the Phoenix," "The Half-Blood Prince" provides a dramatic focus rather than an action focus. This may have some viewers getting a little antsy at the two hour mark.

Other than that, "The Half-Blood Prince" is a near-perfect installment worth seeing in theaters. One thing's for sure - The little wizard kids are all grown up.