Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Stone

Chris Columbus, 2001 (152 mins, Cert. PG)

All aboard the Hogwarts Express for the most eagerly awaited film of the year. Daniel Radcliffe, a name soon to be on everyone's lips, stars as Harry Potter, the young orphan who goes to study at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, discovers magic and fantasy, and leaves the dull world of the Muggles behind. Also starring Sean Biggerstaff, John Cleese, David Bradley and Robbie Coltrane.
(Barbican Publicity)

Bright and breezy fun for all the family. Nicely paced, it doesn't seem three hours long and the three young stars carry the film well (especially Emma Watson as Hermione) in spite of the host of big names that constitute the adult cast. The overall wash of wish-fulfilment and fasntasy escapism is tempered by the realistic portayals of the school-children and the breathless excitement of the world seen through their eyes. Of course this film will mean far more to the young afficiandos of the J.K. Rowling book but, even without that background, this is an engaging and pleasant film.
(Steve Fagg)

Seen: Tuesday, 19th February, 2002 (Harlow Playhouse)