Harry Potter:Champion of the Oppressed

Rating: Null/10 (19 November 2001)

Naysayers and those without magic or childish wonder in their souls aren't going to like my thoughts on the "Harry Potter" phenomenon. The movie is a brilliant melange of eye-popping wondrous visual effects and the finest British theatrical talent that money can buy. Those who demean and continually whinge on about the film are, IMHO, just jealous over the unparalleled success that Ms. Rowling's creations have enjoyed, the likes of which we haven't seen since a small American film named "Star Wars" opened in 1977, and quickly became the stuff of cultural legend. Ms. Rowling's characters and settings spring from the same mixture of folklore, mythology, and clear-cut good vs. evil story-telling as her fellow British writers of generations past, namely J.R.R.Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Roald Dahl. They have all managed to slip important lessons about morality, the nature of existence, and why concepts of honor, loyalty, and friendship are vital to the well-being of humanity, all without being heavy-handed or overly treacly in their fervor and desire to instill these values in our children. A finer assemblage of British talent could not be assembled on a single motion picture sound stage: Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, John Hurt, John Cleese, Julie Walters, Zoe Wanamaker. The three young people essaying the lead roles acquitted themselves marvelously and have bright shining futures ahead of them , in whatever industry they choose. If they're smart, they won't take any notice of the mean and spiteful comments made about them by grown-ups who have clearly forgotten the simple joys of childhood. They should contact Jake Lloyd about how mean and cruel grown-ups can be, in terms of performances in a franchise that hard-core fantasy/science-fiction enthusiasts have adopted as a religion. Read the books, enjoy the fabulous and enchanting movie, recapture the excitement and thrill of being transported to a magical and carefree place where the villains can all be identified by their black hats and are easily vanquished by conjuring tricks and the power of witchcraft. If your heart is already black with the diseases of cynicism, jaded indifference, and the mistaken belief that flash cars and cell phones make you special, leave the rest of us to enjoy the dream and curl up in your own.