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Sorry but I'm
going to be the party pooper who says Harry Potter isn't as good
as others might make out.
Nigel
Bell
Don't get me wrong. The special effects are brilliant, the acting
can't be faulted but (and many will argue this) it's not as good
as the book.
I fear I've
fallen for the Captain
Corelli factor. I loved that film but I hadn't read the
novel. Those who had said the film was a pale translation.
This time the
tables are reversed. I couldn't put down JK Rowling's work and sadly
(for me) the celluloid version doesn't stand up.
The problem
is that the characters aren't given enough time to breath. The only
ones we really get to know (other than Harry, Ron and Hermione)
are Hagrid (marvellous interpretation by Robbie Coltrane) and Professor
McGonagall (Smith).
Alan Rickman's
Professor Snape is excellent but he only gets to shine for a few
minutes. You want more.
Hereby hangs
the problem with Chris Columbus's film. JK Rowling demanded it be
as faithful to the book as possible. The drawback with this is the
introduction of characters who aren't given the chance to expand.
John Cleese
appears (in typical John Cleese "hello" style) as Nearly
Headless Nick. He stars in two scenes for a total duration of about
a minute. His role has no bearing on the plot. It's a total waste,
even more so when you consider Peeves the Poltergeist (a far more
important character) doesn't appear at all.
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| Those beastly
Dursleys |
Similarly, too
many aspects of the film are rushed. We're supposed to get the impression
Hermione is initially disliked. At one point Ron says "that's
why she's got no friends" and Hermione rushes off crying.
Watching the
film it's hard to understand why. If you're not aware of the book
it would seem Miss Granger had been getting along swimmingly with
Harry and his ginger haired mate.
Even the end
of the film is a let down. Lord Voldemort is allegedly the most
evil thing on earth. Well, there's not enough build up to suggest
this. Indeed, I never felt Harry was in any great danger even when
on the receiving end of a good throttling. There's no tension.
Too harsh? Probably.
After all, this is a kids film. Trouble is, it has also developed
into a favourite of adults so maybe I was expecting too much.
There are several
highlights - the Quidditch match, Harry's invisible cloak, the sorting
hat and David Bradley who's great as Filtch the caretaker.
If you're one
of the few who hasn't read the book, go see the film first, then
enjoy the real thing!
Read
what the children think
Don't
be left out. Have your say on Harry
Potter
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