Opinion

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone

Dir: Chris Columbus
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

"Let the magic begin."

Harry Potter...boy who doesn't know he's a wizard...lives with terrible Muggle (non-magical) relatives...is taken to Hogwarts School...magic...new friends...evil lord who killed his parents...Dumbledore...McGonegal...Snape...Philosopher's Stone...Quidditch...The Boy Who Lived.

You know the drill: JK Rowling's first Harry Potter novel comes to the big screen; it's got the biggest advance sales pretty much in cinema history; filming on the second film starts in about a week; the word 'phenomenon' is about to be used a lot. This is as huge as films get, and far more huge than a kid's film would ever usually think about being. The question, of course, is whether it's any good.

Simply put, it is. Columbus has delivered a cinematic version of the novel that is as true to its source as any film adaptation I've seen. Beautifully realising the look and style of the book, and ably assisted by an outstanding cast (including most of the children - and you won't get that kind of admission out of me too often), the effort, expense and attention to detail that went into the development of the film shines out of the screen. This is, and the pun is entirely intentional, a magical film.

The weight of expectation it carries with it could easily have made the reality a disappointment, and given the number of excerpts, various versions of the trailer, interviews, behind the sceens features, and production materials that have found their way into the world ahead of the film's release, it was quite significantly threatened by its own hyperbole. Fortunately, it rises to the challenge.

Much has been made about the search for the right kids to play Harry, Hermione and Ron, but the results seem to have been worth the effort. Radcliffe, as Harry, brings exactly the right degree of wonder to his role, especially during the first half, where he is progressively drawn into a world that is as different from his experience as he could possibly imagine. Rupert Grint as Ron also fills out the role on paper, but Emma Watson is the real stand-out as Herminone. The adult cast, astounding in the range and quality of the actors it includes is nevertheless lacking in places. Richard Harris never quite gives Dumbledore the sense of power that will certainly be required of him as the series progresses, and Ian Hart's turn as Professor Quirell is the weakest in the film. The good news is that several roles which will become more significant over time are filled by very capable performers, especially Julie Walters as Mrs Weasley and Alan Rickman as Snape.

Technically, Columbus has achieved marvellous results. The marriage of effects and live action is highly effective and almost flawless (glossing over one truly dreadful effects shot of Harry attacking a troll), and the realisation of the wizarding game Quidditch is fantastic. Rowling herself said that one of the most amazing aspects of the film for her was to see Quidditch, and she speaks for the rest of us there.

Given the film's two and a half hour running time, it was fascinating to watch the children in the audience sit enraptured (except for those who insisted on commenting on the action throughout). For me, the time flew by, and though like its source, the film feels unmistakably like set-up for what is to come, it's a highly enjoyable set-up, that makes me wish the next film was due next week, rather than next year.