HARRY POTTER - A movie for ADULT fantasy not kids...

Rating: 9/10 (24 November 2001)

This is very good movie! My adult son and I went to see it on Thanksgiving night. There were no kiddies in the movie, only adults, a sleeping child, and some teenage girls.
This movie is really a fantasy that adults will enjoy. First, the cast is all British and Irish. It is good that American actors were not considered for this film. Because, we "Yanks" would not know how to properly act with that British-aire! It's a good thing we speak the same language because it would be difficult to follow along in English subtitles! Wonder how the rest of the world is truly understanding this film with subtitles or voice overs in the local language?
Anyway, you don't have to have read any of the Harry Potter books to enjoy this film. And, maybe that's a good thing. I wasn't interested in a fantasy story of some 11 - 12 year old children to have read any of the books. But, as a movie, it does make for a good story.
I won't bother "telling" the story or commenting on some of the tricks of the trade. My only real criticism is that I had difficulty understanding some of the dialog of the young child actors due to their soft spoken diction and my lack of familiarity with certain spoken phrases and styles of British speech. Also, as Yanks, many of us don't meet people sporting these uniquely British surnames. It was only when I saw the cast list on www.IMDB.com that I could understand these characters' last names.
12-year old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), his 11-year old friend-girl Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and his friend-boy Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint - age not listed in IMDB) are people with magical powers.

They are recruited into the freshman class (6th grade?) at an "Oxford-style" University of Wizard Training! Remember, it is the British lifestyle that this book/film depicts. Like Oxford, a school composed of a number of distinct colleges, the Wizard U has four different "houses" or colleges where the wizards in training are placed according to some inner wizardry ability. You see this school rivalry by the different colors of scarfs, banners, and neckties the children wear.
In the beginning of the movie, we have a sort of borrowed Cinderella story. Harry Potter, an orphan, is living with his wicked stepparents and wicked cousin until he grows up enough to enter the Hogwart's Wizard School! One wants to smack mean-wicked Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths) and Aunt Petunia Dursley (Fiona Shaw) as well as cousin Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling) for their meanness to young Harry Potter. Young Melling acts like Augustus Gloop the overeater and "piggy" from "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." He gets his "in the end."
Veteran performances by 71 year old Irish actor Richard Harris as the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (see what I said about "British" names?) and 67 year old Dame Maggie Smith as Professor/Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall were a pleasure to view. This proves that there are good roles for older career seasoned actors/actresses.
55 year old Alan Rickman has great facial expressions and one look from him and you feel you are "guilty" of some long lost childhood prank just discovered. Mr. Rickman should have had an expanded role and more speaking lines. 51 year old Robbie Coltrane plays a major role as the Gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid.
One will like the Hogwart's schools traditional sports rivalry in the form of a "cricket" style match with young wizards flying full speed on enchanted witches brooms! One wanted to laugh when Harry Potter receives a "gift" of a Nimbus 2000 Model super-flying broom! Why don't the other kids in this college have one like it? A bit of a sticky wicket, ay?
There are lots of computer-generated graphic interfaces in this film. And, it helps to tell the story. I enjoyed the travel back in time to maybe 18th Century England where Hagrid takes Harry to purchase his special wizard "school supplies." Humm, all the characters here are wizards and Harry begins to learn that he is famous and "expected."
Later into the film, we have what is reminiscent of the "quest" as in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. What kinds of "powers" do ruby-red stones have, anyway?
I suppose, that in subsequent films, and as Harry and his friendship group grows a little older, we will find them involved in more "enchanted adventures." If the entire cast remains and grows up in this genre, then a little romance between Harry and Hermione is needed. A little innocent hand holding and a few kisses would help the interaction between these two characters. Remember "The Wonder Years?"
So, if you want to finally see a new movie where you won't second-guess the next scenes, then, see Harry Potter. Forget about reading the books if you have not done so and just enjoy the next six films that may ensue over the next dozen or so years to come. Maybe this will become a Thanksgiving tradition.
Forget all the talk-hype about anti-religion, witches, black magic, etc. This is a NO HARM fantasy movie. The "Devil" is not going to invade one's household. Just think about Samantha Stevens from "Bewitched" for all those years we watched her on TV and in reruns. This movie is that innocent. Good triumphs over evil. Whether you are a wizard or a mortal!

OK, so I "told" a bit of the story. Anyway, it's a "9" and "Two-Thumbs Up!"