Young fans go wild about Harry on film

"The best bit was when the three-headed dog woke up" - the view of one 7-year-old critic from Templeogue in Dublin.

Young Niall Quinn, attending the gala weekend preview of Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone with his sister Sorcha and mum, Sandra, was measured in his summing-up.

"It was very good," he nodded thoughtfully. Sister Sorcha, a little more effusive, added that another memorable scene was "when the man went through Harry Potter's body.

"It was kind of scary," she said, "but kind of funny so it wasn't really scary."

Coming in at almost three hours from opening trick to closing credits, she said it didn't seem too long at all.

Their mother, Sandra, agreed that the film was "absolutely fantastic. From the very start it never lost your attention."

James King (6) from Lucan in Dublin, "didn't get to read the books" but loved the film.

"It has really good special effects. It's not scary. The best bit is the ending and it has good special effects."

Asked whether he was looking forward to seeing the next film he said he was.

Harry Potter mark two is reportedly due for release in time for Christmas 2002.

Natasha Field (12), also from Lucan, said she had just been to "the best film I've ever seen" and had wanted to sneak back in to sit through another two hours and forty-five minutes of wizadry.

Asked which parts she thought highlights, she gushed, somewhat perplexed at the question: "All of it was good".

Rebecca Murray (13), from Blackrock, in Dublin, also felt the special effects "were brilliant".

"I read the books. In the film, well they've left bits out and added bits, but the special effects were great."

Her younger brother, Luke, said the best bit for him was at the start, "when one of them fell into the pool with snakes.

"It was the best film ever."

Asked whether he'd like to see it again, he said he had already arranged to attend a further screening this weekend.

"I'm looking forward to the other films too, especially the Goblet of Fire, because it's the biggest book".

He said "young children might be a bit frightened. It was a bit scary and if you were younger than 5 it would probably be a bit too scary."

Young Adam McCormack (5) was a little too scared by the film, and while his older sister Emily was staying inside to watch the end with her dad, mum was taking him off for an ice-cream.

"He was scared of his life," she said, explaining his disinclination to talk to the press.

Most at the weekend preview has read at least one of the Harry Potter books. Neale Whelehan (13) from Dublin spoke for many when he said: "The film was "excellent but the book is way better. You take it in more when you read it."