Harry Potter: "a pampered jock, a patsy and a fraud"

That's according to this enjoyable little essay from Slate.com. Pretty good read.

I actually saw the second film the day it opened, and it was pretty good, as was the first one. In fact, it prompted me to borrow the third and fourth books; I've finished the third, and enjoyed it, and am beginning the fourth.

I don't buy into the negatives about the Potter books and films which some Christians have; I don't see anything that would poison my kids' minds (although they are a bit scary for anyone under ten, IMHO). I'd recommend reading this essay by English prof Alan Jacobs in First Things for a good take on the Potter universe.