Spell Binding, Not!

Rating: Null/10 (19 January 2003)

Having known little of the Harry Potter novels I found myself approaching this film as a novice. After watching it I can say I dont relish seeing any more.
The film itself stands very well. It has excellent music from John Williams, the speacial effects are very good and even some of the actors bring life to their characters. Robbie Coltrane deserves a mention as he is the only person in the film who gives us any humour. T
What lets the film down though is that the passage of time is not very clear. By the end of the film I found myself wondering how they were leaving Hogwarts after only a few hours? On a second viewing I realised the passage of time is noted by the seasons. Also the story itself is not very original. Pretty standard fare plot wise. There needed to be something more to warrant a film being made as oppossed to a TV adaption.
Harry Potter may have child appeal but beyond it do not be expecting too much.