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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.

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!

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