Fun, even from an outsider's point of view

Rating: 6/10 (24 November 2005)

The only experience I have had with Harry Potter is the first film. My spouse reads the books fanatically and sporadically sees the films. A number of my friends also do both. I've not read the books and not really kept up with all the movies, but I can say that I really enjoyed this film. Like the first, it was well made, intelligent, and visually interesting. Nevertheless, don't expect to get it all if you haven't kept up with the books, and if you have, don't expect to be given it all. Movies can not be as rich as books - especially lengthy and well written ones.
This film finds Harry experiencing frightening dreams and mysteriously enrolled in a deadly wizard's tournament which he is too young to be part of, mentored by a new professor with unusual teaching methods, and experiencing serious growing pains. His friends Hermione and Ron are also back, and so are his usual teachers, and they are all just as likable as ever. Despite the inexplicable rating, this is a family film, well worth seeing for its entertainment value.