This is where it all began. I guess you shouldn’t hold it against the kiddie actors, but none of them are overly impressive here – they do seem to get better as the series develops. But what irritates most about this early film are the special effects, some of which are terrible, particularly the backdrops of Hogwarts and of the background during the Quiddich match. Correction, what irritates most about this film is that American audience’s cannot cope with it’s true title, ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ – is it really such a hard concept to comprehend?! Robbie Coltrane does a great job of here – but amazingly is not the fattest man on set, that award goes to Richard Griffiths – boy oh boy he is BIG. Anyway, this is a relatively enjoyable romp and a decent enough introduction to the world of Potter – even if it is probably the weakest of the films.
**½
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