So I've seen the film...

Well, last week I finally saw it. Stormbreaker the movie...

It's still not quite finished. There's original music to be added and some of the computer effects need work. They're also still cutting little bits and pieces - but what I saw was pretty much the finished cut.

But I really, really liked it. It's like no British film I've ever seen... The director - Geoff Sax - has done a fantastic job, making $40 million dollars look like $100 million on the screen. The action never seems to stop. Alex Pettyfer is fantastic as Alex. My other favourites are Stephen Fry (as Smithers), Bill Nighy (who is the perfect Blunt) and Sophie Okenedo (a great Mrs Jones).

Of course, I could burble on for ever. But I saw the film with my wife who is about as soft-hearted as a tank of pirhanas and she loved it. My agent was also there. He's as tough as steel-hardened nails. But he loved it. Walker Books sent my editor and the head of publicity. They were drooling when they left. That's the only way I'm going to know if this film works or not. By what other people say.

And on top of that, we had two top secret screenings last week. One in London, the other in New York. Two audiences - English and American - gave us their notes and overall they could hardly have been more positive. The main thing is that everyone feels the film is true to the book and that was my first concern. Yes, we've made quite a few changes. But it's not as if Alex is now a 26-year-old girl or something.

More and more stuff is arriving every day. Last week I saw the Alex Rider board game! There's a great new cover going onto the book. The game based on the film looks terrific. I'm not sure yet about the Kentucky Fried Chicken Alex meals - but they're working on it.

Finally, just so you know, I've already started work on the next script. It's going to be Point Blanc. Nothing is ever certain in the movie business and despite all the good signs so far, I'm not taking anything for granted. But we could be in production on the second film any time...

2006 is going to be Alex's year!

Anthony H