Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 25 December 2016 Blu-ray

I finally did it. I watched a Harry Potter movie after years of declaring it wasn’t my thing. But really, what self respecting movie fan can hold his head up amongst other movie critics without watching this much admired and acclaimed franchise? Over the next few weeks I thoroughly intend to pass judgement over all eight movies … but for now I’ll let you know my thoughts on the very first.

Harry is a young boy who is given to his aunt and uncle when a baby, following the untimely death of his parents. His aunt & uncle however are cruel and unloving towards him as he grows up and fuss and gush over his cousin instead. Yet one day a letter arrives declaring that young Harry has been accepted into the wizarding school of Hogwarts. So Harry is soon whisked off into a fantasy world of goblins, witches and magic that will change his life forever.

Despite my years of reluctance I’ll admit I was very quickly absorbed in author J K Rowling’s world and certainly admire the wealth of imagination and sheer ‘wonder’ on display. Think a cross between Tim Burton, C S Lewis and Roald Dahl. I was also impressed to discover a who’s who of British acting talent, from Dame Maggie Smith, John Hurt, the late Alan Rickman and especially a wonderfully cast Robbie Coltrane. It also has to be said this is a gorgeous looking movie that despite being over fifteen years old now, hasn’t aged and with high production values that include superb set design and for the most part, quality CGI … I came away rather impressed. The plot is mostly an introduction to the world of Harry Potter and perfectly sets up the movies to come and I certainly enjoyed the whole school term structure and learning to be a wizard thing. Harry for the most part is a bit of a celebrity throughout and mainly carries the story by being at the centre of different situations rather than being all that heroic or skilled as a wizard (at this stage).

Some of the child acting leaves a bit to be desired however, especially a young Emma Watson who’s delivery of lines and general personality screams of trying a bit too hard. I’m sure she improves though. Yet Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry is quite the discovery – occasionally a bit uneasy with some lines and situations but really makes the character his own and is likable and generally convincing. A climactic encounter let’s the side down a tad, with a dodgy CGI sequence. Also, with a majority of the run time focusing on setting up such a world, the ending felt a bit rushed and forced-feel good. But I still had a great time with this and feel a bit silly for missing out all these years. Roll on Harry Potter 2.

Verdict: 3.5 /5

Horns

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 09 July 2016 Netflix

I know why it has taken so long for me to get around to watching this. Firstly for the most part much of the movies on Netflix are either seen it or pretty lame, bargain bin fair that I quickly regret clicking on. However starring Harry Potter himself Daniel Radcliffe in an against type role (does he really have a type though?) and with thoughts of his above average turn in Woman In Black … this has always been on my ‘to watch’ list. The bizarre concept made me hesitant also.

Radcliffe stars as Iggy who we learn early on has been suspected of his long time girlfriend’s murder and whilst the cops try to build a case against him, he tries to prove his innocence. One morning however he awakes to find a set of horns have sprouted devil-like from his head and suddenly the towns folks are confessing their deepest darkest secrets to him, whether he wants to hear them or not.

This rather unusual idea took a little bit of getting into but once I caught onto the somewhat tongue-in-cheek tone, I was thoroughly along for the ride. It plays out like an extended Twilight Zone episode and certainly proves highly entertaining as we watch some outrageous behaviour from people drawn to Iggy as he gathers clues about the murder, interspersed with flashbacks that piece things together for the viewer at the same time. It has a decidedly Stephen King vibe too, which is never a bad thing. The whodunit may be a bit easy to guess, but with strong performances, especially from Radcliffe, some decent effects work, and stylish direction by Alexandre Aja (Piranha 3D) … I found this original, freaky and darkly funny which is often a great combination. Recommended.

Verdict: 4 /5

The Woman In Black

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 28 February 2012 Cinema

Daniel Radcliffe has done very well with the highly regarded Harry Potter movies, and it’s good to see him breaking out and carving his own career outside of such a heavyweight franchise. This being his first major role, it offers the young actor a chance to be taken more seriously, and not be known just for one, admittedly admirable role. Whilst mourning the death of his wife, a young lawyer (Radcliffe) is given a job to gather together the belongings relevant to a recently deceased woman’s will, and travels to a sleepy town that is more than a little troubled, following a series of children’s deaths. He soon realises there is something very strange going on, and it all seems linked to the mysterious woman in black, a ghostly figure he see’s at the abandoned mansion he’s been asked to visit.

Based on the famed book of the same name and written for the screen by Jane (Stardust, Kick-Ass) Goldman, this is well made and very creepy, in the grand tradition of classic haunted house horror movies. No surprise when it’s made by Hammer, who cut their teeth on this stuff back in the day. How refreshing it felt to sit down to a more traditional horror that relies on genuine scares rather than blood and guts. Radcliffe is very good and carries the movie well, being both gutsy and shit-scared at times, even if overall the role doesn’t exactly stretch him. He’s also supported well by one or two recognisable English thesps. The movie reminded me a great deal of Tim Burton classic Sleepy Hollow, and also had elements of Spanish chiller The Orphanage. Although I did see many of the scares coming, as it does wallow in genre clichés … they were still executed effectively and made me jump and gasp throughout. The set design and the location as a whole were also enough to send shivers.

I’d say the family-friendly rating prevented the movie from really going for it however, and the overly-familiar setting and situations meant I wasn’t totally freaked out. I would have liked to learn more about the ghostly woman’s past, and the ending seemed to come by all of a sudden – yet this was still entertaining, and had enough good moments and tense atmosphere to make it one to watch. On this evidence, I look forward to what the former Harry Potter does next.

Verdict: 3.5 /5