Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

A Review

Along with Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter was the most awaited film of the new century, and if Tolkiens grand tale converts to the silver screen as well as this modern classic, then 2001 won't have been a year of disapointment after all.

The philosopher's stone is probably the weakest of the four books, not that that is too say that it is not a very good read. This bodes well for the next film as this one is a delight, the three leads are good enough, although I can only hope that Daniel Radcliffe, as Harry, comes slightly more to life as he grows used to the character. Rupert Grint as Harry's best chum Ron Weasley takes the juvenile acting honours, On the downside, the two "actors" who play his twin brothers, act like they have come from the Sesame Street school of acting.

That small tribble aside Robbie Coltrane as the gaint Hagrid and Alan Rickman as sinister professor Snape are terrific and seem like they were born to play their parts. The set design and general production values are breathtakingly brilliant and most of the major set pieces have been kept in place.

The story shoots along at a steady pace and at 152 mins the film does not overstay it's welcome and I can give no more praise than that.

In summary, Harry Potter is colourful, exciting, and amusing. the prefect film for all the family, now if only they could do something about the slightly dodgy effects for the next one...