POSING on the red carpet and being greeted by a woman in a witches' hat isn't a typical start to a working week.
But there's nothing like a new
Harry Potter film to make you feel like a child again and forget those Monday morning blues.
So it was that a group of jaded journalists trooped into the Glasgow science centre Imax cinema to enjoy its premi
er of the latest adventures of the boy wizard.
And with a screen 60x80 feet plus stunning 3D scenes for the first quarter of an hour, it was very easy to get caught up in the magic of it all.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth in the series – and having grown up on screen, its young cast are stronger than they've ever been.
It's just as well too – because as well as Voldemort, death eaters and all manner of dark magic being thrown at them, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are also dealing with their feelings.
They've now reached the ages of 16 and 17, so dating becomes something of an issue and Emma Watson's portrayal of the pain of rejection should ring heartbreakingly true to anyone who's ever experienced love as a teenager.
The series has also been a showcase of some of the best old hands in British acting over the years – and Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith and Robbie Coltrane are all back in good form.
A new addition was Jim Broadbent as professor Horace Slughorn, who holds the key to finishing Voldemort once and for all.
For the fans, there are a few irritating deviations from the book - including a somewhat bizarre extra scene at the Weasley household; but the main plot points remain and are dramatically drawn in on screen.
Without wishing to spoil the ending, the emotional climax of the story is a shocking and heartwrenching moment of loss for Harry; although again it's not quite the way JK wrote it out and avid readers might be left feeling that it could have been better if it stuck more closely to the book.
In the end, the three friends Harry, Ron and Hermione are brought together once more to reflect on loss and betrayal and think of the challenges they now face in the future.
The last two instalments – due next year – will be where the big battles and no doubt at little more excitement lie.
But for now the
Half Blood Prince is pure fantastic escapism for muggles and wizards alike.
