An excellent, serious family film: see it

Rating: Null/10 (10 November 2001)

a film is not a book and shouldn't be judged on the basis of its source material. having said that, most people seeing the film will judge it against the book and there will be few complaints. The only major omission is Peeves, which shows the route the makers have taken. The film takes a strong narrative and deals soberly with the issues, never going for cheap or sentimental laughs, and is all the better for it.
The child actors are excellent: Daniel Radcliffe shows Harry's strength and intelligence very well: its not an easy part and he does really well. The real star is Robbie Coltrane, a superb Hagrid.
For once the special effects do not overwhelm a family film but special mention must go to the Quidditch match, which is superbly well done and brilliantly imagined.
Go, 9/10