Rating: 
Summary: Sorcerer's Stone is Rock Bottom
Review: I know that this is an enormously popular series, and I've tried quite hard to like it (I read all the books too), but I can't get past the copious shortcomings of Harry Potter. For one thing, it's terribly overwraught; the supreme clumsiness and obviousness with which the writer tries to manipulate our emotions is totally laughable. In fact, I can't believe that even children fall for it. Not to mention the fact that there is no room for humanity is any of the "villains". None of them are shown to have any redeeming features at all; they are so one dimensional that they might as well be cardboard cutouts with "bad guy" stencilled across their foreheads. Nor is there ever any opportunity for them to be forgiven or to be allowed to make amends. The show very much promotes an "us and them" attitude among the heroes. Even when one of the bad guys offers to make up he is rejected by Harry. This brings me to the actor who plays Harry, Daniel Radcliffe, the worst child actor I've ever seen in my life. I could forgive him his lousy acting if only his expressions were a bit more human. The kid has all the facial complexity of an old Japanese cartoon character. He has two expressions: utter delight and joy when awful things happen to people he doesn't like, and a vengeful scowl until these things do happen. Also, the show promotes kids lying and stealing to get what they want (the end oh-so justifies the means); it encourages cliquiness and a ruthlessness towards opponents (win at all costs!). This is certainly nothing new, and neither is the advocation of disrespect and disobedience towards authority, but it grates just the same. As for the film production, it's pretty good, though not spectacular. The sets are contextually predictable and the special effects are average. Everyone but the star does a fairly good job of acting; there are a bunch of cameos by more established actors, though most of the scenes feature Harry and his two friends. All in all, I'd not recommend this movie to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Some Things Wrong, But Not Bad
Review: This movie is pretty good, but makes some people lean more by the "Harry Potter is Kiddy and Stupid" quote. The actors are okay, but the people who play Fred, George, and Dumbldore are just not right for the part. The boys who play Fred and George just make the two seem like goggling dorks. And Dumbledore, who is supposed to be jolly, energetic, and a bit on the mad side, is tired, not even half a happy face's jolly, and too serious. Also, Harry can be a bit flawed as an actor in SOME parts, but he is okay in most parts. Ron, Hermione, Snape, Quirell, Flitwick, McGonagoll, Wood, Neville, Dudley, Malfoy, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, Hagrid, Nearly Headless Nick, and Percy are great for the roles they play, however. The special effects are good too. They may leave out some parts that are in the book, but I still think it is a great movie that most fans of the book will enjoy, unlike the games...
Rating: 
Summary: Eh, not the best, but still cute..
Review: This movie is good, but not exsactly the best. I'm not to thrilled with the "witches" and the spells, and so I don't let my young boys watch this movie. It just leaves too much to have to explain! But, for older children (like 12 or older, or so), thoes who don't require explinations of pretend things, then its a cute movie. They did do a good job with animation and graphics. Sad that the actor who played Dumbledoor (sp?) died! I hope they get a good replacement!
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Book Turned Wonderful Movie
Review: Any Potter fans need to see this movie. It is a wonderful rendition of the beloved book. Strangely, the movie actually follows the book in sequence, action, etc. while leaving few things out. The actors are all perfect for their parts. Daniel Radcliffe makes the perfect Harry. Had any of these things not been the way they are, the movie probably wouldn't work.
As for the DVD, it is packed with many extras that are fun to look at; Diagon Alley, the common rooms, and other places are layed out so you can experience what 'being there' is like.
All in all, this is a great movie put on a great DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Dumb down your kids with Harry Potter.
Review: Remember when villains needed a reason to be bad. When I was young, childrens films carried values with them. Not only does the film "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" not let viewers know why the villains are evil (see Boo Radley), but it also finds a way to make the heroes take their place. Now I know your saying to yourself, "Hey Alex, it made sense in the book." I know, but this is the movie. Look at "Lord Of The Rings"! For gosh sakes, look at Ramona the TV series! The last scene in HP1 is the most terrible thing I've ever seen in childrens cinema. For no reason at all, the school takes an award away from the "bad guys" and gives it to the "good guys". Of course, everyone rejoices in the film, but are we really trying to teach our children these values? What happened to being humble? What happened to likable heroes? How come video games have better special effects than this big budget movie? These are all questions you should ponder after the viewing of this truly dreadful film.
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter : A New Hope pt.2
Review: OK, so the story goes like this: There is this boy, who is an orphan, his parents were both killed by the dark one. He lives with his uncle and aunt. He hides a power within him, that he is unaware, of but he feels that he is made for greater things. His uncle and aunt know about it, and if not acting against it, they keep quiet about it.
Then one day, a strange messenger appears starting a series of events that eventually lead the boy away from his foster home, have him join a bearded wizard/mentor that teaches him all about his power, he begins a friendship with another boy and a girl, and all three of them, with the wizard's advice, take off for a series of mind-blowing adventures that ultimately lead to the destruction of the dark one, the killer of the boy's parents. The Question. What is the boy's name? If you answered Harry Potter, you're soooo wrong!
The boy's name is LUKE SKYWALKER. The wizard is Obi-Wan Kenobi. The friends are Han (Not Ron) and Leia. It as apparently the most outrageous theft of an original idea that has ever happened in the movie business. Outrageous because it had such a wide acceptance by the audience and no one to see right through it.
Technology had already advanced tremendously since star wars so the effects job gave "Harry Potter" a more exotic look. But!! not being able to come up with an original idea, they borrowed from a newer Star Wars some elements. the silly broomstick/basketball game is clearly an altered Pod Racing, and is used in "Harry Potter" almost at the same point in the duration of the movie as pod racing in "Episode I"
My problem is mrs. Rowling, who obviously, when had this "amazing idea that eventually changed her life", was watching Star Wars: A New Hope, on video... Do yourselves a favor. When in the dillema "Magic or Force?", choose the Force.
Go see STAR WARS instead. Such a better movie. To be continued... ( I'm pretty sure not all of Star Wars qualities were used in this one.)
Rating:
Summary: Fun and faithful to the book
Review: This film is a fun and charming action film that is magical and touching. It is equally enjoyable for children and adults and those who have and have not read the books. A great beginning to what is sure to be an extremely popular and entertaining film series.
Rating:
Summary: There are better ways to waste three hours...
Review: My friend urged me over and over again to watch this DVD, until I finally gave in out of sheer exasperation. I was not overly impressed by the special effects, and the plot is severely lacking. The characters have no depth. There is no complexity to this movie whatsoever. Now, with it being a kids' movie, I would not view it in such a negative light. The real problem I have with it is that my friends are 16 and obsessive fans of both the books and movies. I've also heard that this is popular among adults. I think somewhere between the unicorns and the talking hat I dropped several IQ points. Please do yourself a favor and watch a real movie. This is kid-stuff, with bad acting and worse special effects.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie, true to the book.
Review: If your read the books, you will not be let down by this movie. So often the books and movies have little more than the title and main character names in common. This is NOT one of them. The story of an orphaned boy who discovers that he is a wizard is well told in this movie. A word of caution: this is about an 11 year old boy. Some of the situations frighten him and rightfully so. As such, I do not recommend little ones to watch this one alone.
The only aspect of the DVD that I didn't care for was how difficult it was to get to the deleted scenes. Normally, you choose to watch the scenes from a menu. On this DVD you must complete a series of challenges to get to the scenes. One challenge in particular is unreasonably difficult. To solve the puzzle you must either guess well or have read the book MANY times. I liked the idea of a challenge, but the answers should have been somewhere in the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Just magic...
Review: Well, I'm not talking about a simple movie, its just the most succesfull movie in the planet, after TITANIC of course, but that is say something of a movie for kids, I personally think that the second part is better, but this is really good, full of magic and with excellent performances, it's awesome, the only thing that I don't like is the format of the DVD, kind of boring, but the rest is great.
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