Enjoyable in parts but lacks the drive of the first Harry Potter film

Rating: Null/10 (16 May 2003)

Strong points: marvellous rendition of Dobby, the computer-generated house elf; delightful portrayal of the Weasley household with Julie Walters as Molly (enjoy it while it lasts, because it's one of the few funny scenes in this long film); wonderful cameo appearance by Miriam Margoyles as Professor Sprout the Herbologist, using humanoid mandrake plants as a prop. Weak points: too long and sometimes slow-moving; poor direction of Rupert Grint, who spends too much time squeaking and looking terrified; hopelessly wooden acting of Christian Coulson as Tom Marvolo Riddle; disappointing and unconvincing climax. The noise level is generally high (sometimes excruciatingly so), yet some of the diction of the actors is not altogether clear. Not as good as the first Harry Potter film in my view, but worth seeing nevertheless. Marks: five out of ten.