Film Reviews

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

• Rating:
• Director: Chris Columbus.
• Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Wawick Davis, Rachel Griffiths
• Details: US / 152 mins / (G).

For the first ten years of his life, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has lived under the stairs in the house of his despicable aunt and his uncle. One day, however, Harry is given the opportunity to study at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He soon discovers that he, not only has a natural ability for magic, but there's a parallel universe where the supernatural, and sometimes sinister forces, dwell. Cue lots of adventures for our boy and his fellow trainee wizards.. So, after months of hype, Harry Potter is finally here. Although many of the book's fan base won't find fault with the finished product, to those of us who have managed to remain blissfully ignorant of the novel(s), the film is actually rather enjoyable. On the downside, clocking in at over two-and-a-half hours, Harry Potter is far too long, and certainly loses momentum towards the finale. And while he's not bad, Daniel Radcliffe is no Haley Joel Osment.

Review by Garreth Murphy