Let The Magic Begin

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emily Watson, Rubert Grint, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Richard Griffiths, Ian Hart

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"I think it's clear that we can expect great things from you." – Mr. Ollivander, to Harry

Why watch this? ... it's the world-building intro to the world-wide phenomenon.

Plot Summary: Harry Potter, an orphan living with his neglectful aunt and uncle, discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he makes new friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and learns about his parents' death at the hands of the evil wizard Voldemort. Together, the trio embarks on a quest to protect the powerful Sorcerer's Stone from falling into the wrong hands, leading to a series of magical challenges and dangerous discoveries.

Dad's Preview: Harry Potter generated a lot of negative buzz by the conservatives about witchcraft (as usual). I did not read the books. So, when this long-anticipated film hit theaters, I was pleasantly surprised, enthralled, and amazed. It is a superbly crafted tale, introducing us to young characters (whom we will basically watch grow up). The three leads, and most of the roles, were perfectly cast - by the final film we'll see just how perfectly. This series would become the new fantasy film high-bar for years to come.

Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures