Harry Potter takes magic to the screen

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- In the grim aftermath of the Sept. 11 tragedies, Harry Potter's magic potions, flying broomsticks, witches and spells, was precisely the kind of enchantment needed to get "muggles" (non-magical people) out enjoying themselves once again.

Harry Potter, the amiable fictional boy wizard and hero of J.K. Rowling's best-selling books, charmed moviegoers across the United States Friday, setting new records in box office sales, much the same way the novels broke all publishing history in the summer of 2000.

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the much anticipated, first of seven planned films, was released to a record number of screens, about 6,000, bringing in an estimated 31.1 million dollars on Friday alone. (In the U.K. the film was released as "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.")

Tens of thousands of tickets were sold many weeks in advance, as fans -- grown-ups and young alike --waited in anticipation for the show to begin. Several children even skipped school to be able to catch earlier shows.

At one Cineplex movie theatre in suburban Virginia, about half the audience in attendance were unaccompanied adults, who showed as much excitement as the younger fans who queued up for more than two hours ahead of show times, to guarantee themselves a good seat.

Some, like Lynn Lawrence of Springfield, Va., an avid Harry Potter fan who read all four books, and listened to the Potter books on tape while driving her car, took no chances.

"I checked for tickets on-line starting Oct. 16, one month before the film was due to open," confided Lawrence, an office service coordinator.

"I bought the tickets a week ago, and picked them up the night before. I wanted to make sure I had them in hand. Tonight, just before the show, we ate at a nearby restaurant to make sure we would get here in time, and that there would be no unforeseeable last-minute hitches," said Lawrence while standing in line with her sister, brother-in-law and boyfriend, along with several hundred other moviegoers.

"I read every Harry Potter book," she told a couple of 11-year-old girls waiting in line next to her, as they compared notes on which of the four books written to date was the best.

"Every book left me wanting more," she confided, then added, "I am stressed from waiting."

Instants later, like magic, the theater instantly filled up, and loud cheers from the audience erupted as the lights dimmed.

The movie remained true to the book, unfolding the story, almost page by page, much as the author, who cooperated with the movie's production, would have wanted.

Director Christopher Columbus, (Bicentennial Man, Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone 1 and 2) managed to transform and transport all the magic, the illusions and wonders from the books unto the silver screen, much to the approval of the audience.

A wonderful job was done on casting the characters. Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry, offers a wonderful performance in his first major role, as does Emma Watson (Hermione Granger). Veteran actor Richard Harris is perfectly cast as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and no one could have portrayed Gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid better than Robbie Coltrane.

The first Harry Potter movie was without doubt a success. This should only help Rowlings carry on with her magical novels that have brought the joy of reading to millions of children around the world.