Hogwarts or hogwash?

Rating: 9/10 (27 September 2017)

While not a reader of the books, I take this series as pure escapism, total fantasy and not a promotion extolling the virtues of witchcraft. In fact, I think it does just the opposite, showing how dangerous it is to flirt with the dark arts, that life is better left to chance, and that while spells and incantations might seem an easy way to get what one desires, those methods aren't generally realistic. The first episode of the long movie series gets every detail letter perfect and
Making an astonishing debut as this character, Daniel Radcliffe shines like a young Jackie Coogan in "The Kid", Jackie Cooper in "Skippy" and Mickey Rooney in anything before 1940. He had already appeared with Maggie Smith in a BBC version of "David Copperfield", so their reuniting for this was blessed with magic for the second time. Along with head wizard Richard Harris and Hogwarts groundsman Robbie Coltrane, Smith must hide the baby Harry, dropping him off with mentally abusive aunt and uncle Fiona Shaw and Richard Griffiths who baby their obnoxious son while mistreating Harry and keeping vital letters from him concerning his destiny.
Once Harry gets to Hogwarts, it's worse for him when he finds his name already known and instant enemies because of that. But there's instant friendship with the brilliant but cocky Hermione (Emma Watson) and the awkward Ron (Rupert Grint) who become involved in Harry's adventures, fighting against ugly trolls, jealous students and the very mysterious Alan Rickman who seems to be as evil as he looks. But greater evil exists in the form of the mysterious Voldemort, rumored to be responsible for the brutal murder of Harry's parents. This was the start of many adventures and capers that Harry and his gang would become involved with, some more outlandish than the others.
While the young leads were obviously the focus of attention for the target audience of teenagers, more mature audiences can sit back and enjoy the adults. If Agnes Moorehead was once accused of playing a witch like a nun and a nun like a witch, Maggie Smith played both those characters as if she was a great lady of British noble birth. Richard Harris makes Dumbledore a brother like character to "Camelot's" Merlin. The snake like Ruckman is delightfully slow speaking to add mystery.
Technically, this is fascinating, whether it be the students entry into Victoria Station's track at 9 3/4, the soccer like game Harry becomes a key player in, and of course, the chess match finale. As far as modern day fantasies go, this is tops, although some of the series can't compare with the first. Other modern series on film of similar nature owe their start to this entry in the "Harry Potter" series.