251. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; movie review

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE
Cert PG
146 mins
BBFC advice: Contains mild scary scenes, violence and language

Fantastic film, shame about the acting.
Our now-adult children were brought up on Harry Potter - both books and films - and so, when we are all together last night we discussed the franchise's early movies.
The conclusion was that it took quite a while for Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint to grow into the roles of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
Thankfully, their rather wooden performances as 11-year-olds didn't distract from the splendour of The Philosopher's Stone, its superb story-telling and a brilliant back-up cast.
From the outset, the first Harry Potter movie engenders a wow factor.
If you are not reeled in by Harry's verbal jousting with the Dursleys, then you will surely be hooked by the time he hits Diagon Alley with Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane).
And if that leaves you cold, the first meeting with the Weasleys and the transition to platform nine and three-quarters will surely warm you up.
No? Well, the Hogwart's Express or Hogwart's itself will definitely mop up any outstanding doubters.
There we are met by some of the greatest British actors of our time, led by Richard Harris as headmaster Dumbledore and Maggie Smith as Professor McGonigle.
However, the most memorable teacher, in my opinion, is Snape, portrayed in menacing monotone by the much-missed Alan Rickman.
And then there are the bells and whistles - fast and furious games of quidditch,  the moving staircases and ghosts of Hogwart's and a troll which nearly does for Harry, Hermione and Ron.
It is easy to forget how highly anticipated Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone was, following the huge success of J.K.Rowling's books and how well it lived up to the hype.
Much of the credit for this has to go to director Chris Columbus. I find it hard to believe that the man who brought us Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire an the first two Harry Potters isn't more revered.
Certainly, Warner Brothers should be doffing their hats in his direction - The Philosopher's Stone made more than a billion dollars - ten times its budget.

Reasons to watch: The movie which sparked a phenomenon
Reasons to avoid: The novice young actors are a tad hammy at times

Laughs: Three
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 9/10

Did you know? J.K. Rowling was offered the role to play Lily Potter during the Mirror of Erised scene. However, Rowling turned down the role because she didn't consider herself to be a good enough actress to pull it off.

The final word. J.K.Rowling: "I think I would have been clinically insane to have expected what's happened. Who could have predicted this? No one knew. And I certainly didn't."

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