Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter Open My Eyes To Books Once More.
Review: I am 22 years old. I just saw Harry Potter yesterday in New York City at Loews Movie Theater. Since I never read any of the books my opinion of this movie is great. I usually see a lot of pictures but this one caught my eye. Not because everybody around the world is screaming for Harry Potter but it took me back to my imagination of magic, wizards and wonders of a possible another world besides my own. Yes I do have the 4 Harry Potter books and audio cassettes. But first I prefer to sit down and see where will my imagination go beyond here. I enjoy the picture very much. To be honest I never enjoy reading books in school. I still don't. Maybe this is a step towards possible getting back what I lost, a interest in reading once more. Thank You J.K. Rowling and who ever reads this. I can't wait for the next big adventure on screen.
Rating:
Summary: The Movie Was Great!
Review: I really liked the movie, I have read all four books and some parts were left out, but if you watch the movie and forget about the book then you'll really enjoy it! The actors were great, and the special effects are amazing! Everything even the little things pop out at you. I really think the movie stayed true to the book except for some parts, people who liked the book will most likely love the movie!
Rating:
Summary: It's great - by a 14 year old
Review: I waited in line for only 1 1/2 hours before I got into it. It was so worth it! I went with my dad, 11 year old sister, 7 year old brother, and best friend. It was awesome!!!!!Just in case you don't know, Harry Potter is an orphaned wizard who has grown up with muggles (normal people). They are especially nasty guardians, and he doesn't realize his power or fame until his 11th birthday, when Hagrid, a giant, carries him off to Hogwarts, a school of wizardry. There he finds he is the most famous 11 year old wizard ever - everyone seems to know more about him than he does! His name is spoken everywhere, and so is his mysterious scar. At Hogwarts, Harry makes some friends and has many adventures. They have captured the book well. Hogwarts is fantastic, and I love how there are ghosts floating nonchalantly around (iincluding Nearly Headless Nick, who you might recognize as John Cleese). The characters are fabulous. Harry Potter is aptly understated, and he comes off as an ordinary kid with extraordinary powers. As for Harry's friends, Ron is hilarious! He has great lines and facial expressions, obviously having a knack for comedy. Hermione is wonderful, too. She is very enchanting as a know-it-all. Ron and Hermione together make quite a few laughing scenes. Hagrid is perfect, not too bright but with a heart of gold (especially for very dangerous and ugly creatures). I, personally, was not dissapointed. However, when I watch a movie, it doesn't change my view of the characters. If it's well done, as this is, it actually helps me visualize certain scenes that are hard to pick up from a book. It was cool seeing the Quiddich game come to life. The kids are all so cute, and I can't wait to see the next movies to come!
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter stays pretty faithful
Review: As an adult, I find the current Harry Potter books to be quite charming and entertaining. Therefore, I was excited at the prospect of a film version. The good news is that HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE is pretty faithful to its source novel. (Of course, there areextreme fans who scream about missing elements and characters or abridgement, but the tone of the books is captured. Director Chris Columbus (HOME ALONE) creates a visual world exactly as described in print. That is quite a feat, especially when its time to break out the broomsticks for a fast game of Quittich. The story structure is rather episodic, as is the book, and so the pacing is different from most 'Hollywood' movies. But, to capture every element would have the film run into the 5-6 hour range. The cast is superb, from the 3 wonderful child actors, Robbie Coltrane as the giant Hagrid on to Alan Rickman as the suspicious Professor Snape. And the musical score by uber-composer John Williams adds the final textures to the film. But, with all these positive elements, the film remains pretty void of emotional attachment. None of the relationships are given enough time to establish. The film remains a visual and visceral feast, but shy when it comes to the heart. It seems apparent that the franchise will continue both in more books and a continued film series. So, Harry Potter might eventually be the most popular young boy ever. Younger Children might be challenged, not so much by the few moments of 'meanies', but by the 2 and a half hour running time. In closing, Director Columbus must be commended for doing the unthinkable, entertainingly and faithfully bringing the novel to the screen. But, we could've used a bit of the soft stuff...
Rating:
Summary: What else could Harry Potter get??
Review: I have just come home from watching the movie, and I have to say it is amazing!!! The movie is extreamly fathful to the book, but I was disapointed that the sorting hat did not sing. The lines of each character were also hacked up a lot, but my friends who have each read the books over five times didn't seem to notice, where as I, who listen to the audio tapes constantly, could notice every little change. Do not reread the books before going!!! Do not pay attention to the little details! The movie is wonderously fathful, for a movie! Look at Jurassic Park compared to the book! Try to enjoy the movie and not worry about the little changes, it really is wonderful. You have to see it, especially if you have never read the books. It didn't ruin a single thing for me! So go buy a ticket now!
(and then come home and download the movie ...until it comes out on DVD!)
Rating: 
Summary: Considering the Hype, Not too Bad but Could be Better
Review: I know that the director had a monumental task of living up to the hype. I loved the books and watched the movie on opening day. I tried to keep my expectations low as not to be disappointed and to some degree I was not. The movie gets as close to the book as possible without becoming a six hour movie. The director does use some discretion to "modify" scenes to shorten the length of the movie -- no problem there. The Professors' acting are for the most part very good -- Snapes is excellent. The Dursleys are repulsively accurate and young Harmoine does the most spectacular job of the kids in the film. Ron Weasely is not too bad himself. On the other hand there is Harry... the kid who does the acting does so without feeling and its almost as if he is thinking to himself "I read the book... I know what happens next" There is little excitement. That boredom mixed with flow-of-though jumping from scene to scene create a skitterish movie ala Goonies, though Goonies seeemed to have more cohesiveness. Potter does a so-so job at best. OVERALL: The kids will love it but I dont know if I could watch this movie twice. Should it be the lead box-office hit of all-time? Personally I don't think so. If you are wondering whether or not to brave lines and watch it opening weekend, my suggestion is to wait till the crowds die down. I personally will be watching Monsters, Inc. for the second and maybe third time, but I won't be there for Harry Potter. if you are fan watch it once... but thats about it. Other than that, watch Monster's inc over and over and wait for Lord of the Rings.
Rating:
Summary: Talented, Magical, Original, Inspired Escapist Entertainment
Review: Thank God for Harry Potter. Yes this is a phenomenon, yes this needed the book to be where it is, and YES it's been hyped, and good for it! Is that a sin? Not when I checked. I'll be honest, I've never laid a finger on the books, so regarding the accuracy and faithfulness of the book I can't comment on. But A) I understood it, thoroughly enjoyed it, and found it captivating and sweat inducing... it obviously stood on it's own. B) The production team, all of it, has created "muggle" magic. This has it's flaws, but what film doesn't? This is NOT a slapstick stupid children's movie. This has a plot, creativity, acting, and emotional weight. Remember what those are? This is a film that allows us to escape, forget our problems for a hunky fast moving 2 and a half hours, and dive into a startlingly realistic, not to mention bright and happy, world of children, magic, wizardry, and evil. I found myself applauding during the Quidditch (sp?) scenes, as if it was perfectly normal for kids to ride 70 feet in the air on broomsticks and get bruised up, that jellybeans come in every flavor (including certain excretory material, you'll see), and that kids can jump through brick walls onto a fractional train platform. What fun! Oh! For shame you critics who refuse to enjoy! This film is for enjoyment. This has lots of eye candy, beautiful stuff, dazzling stuff. But it's not at all empty. If you need serious content, I was surprised to find deep running currents, thematic elements, that are unusually mature. The pyschological effects of a child who has lived in an emotionally abusive environment for years on end were well portrayed in several scenes. Borderline personalities in several characters. The age old theme of giving one's life for another; the Faustian plot of giving your soul up for personal gain; the danger of dwelling in an inate state instead of movement to some form of action; and of destiny. Pretty heavy for so called (and here paraphrased) "hollow kid stuff". Are you gonna listen to complaining religious fundamentalists, snobs, and critics? God Bless Harry Potter for the balm of a movie that finally isn't afraid to be what it is.
Rating:
Summary: A Trillion Stars!
Review: This movie was absolutely EXCELLENT!!! Just as I imagined it in my vision of the book! It was so true to the story line! Of course, it had a small few variations, but what can one expect! I loved all of it, from the very beginning, to the very end. It is a great visual for the people who have read the book, and a great story for those who haven't!
All together, great Entertainment. J.K. Rowling's story is truly wonderful! It's the new Wizard of Oz! GO! See this movie! ************************************************************
Rating:
Summary: The Greatest Film Adaptation of a Childrens Story Since "OZ"
Review: I am a great fan of the Potter books, so my whole family flocked to see it on opening day. Although only me and my brother had read the books, the whole family loved it! It stays true to the book! That's a rare thing. We all felt that the 2 1/2 hours went by too fast. My only problem with it was that in some scenes, the computer animation is up to par with that of Star Wars 1. But in other scenes, computer animated kids falling off brooms look worse than some graphics that you find in a video game made 3 years ago. The acting was top drawer! Daniel Radcliffe is the best Harry Potter! I hope Warner Bros. has him play Harry for all 7 films. For being enexperienced actors, all 3 leading children did a fantastic job. Out of the 4 books out now, this one isn't my favorite, but it's not the worst. I liked the 3rd on best. Then my order goes number 4, 1, and 2 is my least favorite. In "The Sorcerer's Stone", Harry Potter has grown up with his mean Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin who make him sleap in a closet under the stairs. On his 11th birthday, he finds out that he is a wizard and that he is famous for nearly destroying one of the greatest dark wizards of all time. His journey begins at Hogwarts, a school for witches and Wizards. When he and his 2 friends, Ron and Hermoine, find out that the Sorcerer's stone, wich can revive the dark wizard to full health, is hidden in the school and have reason to believe that a teacher is trying to get it for the wizard, it's up to the 3 to stop him! If you liked the books, you'll love the movie and discover many new surprises along the way. If you have never read a book, I suggest you try this film because it's a wonderful story that anyone of every age can relate to!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful visuals...some terrific scenes
Review: I have been waiting for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for over a year, and was thrilled when if finally opened. I wasn't sure what to expect, but hoped for the best. The movie has some really terrific moments. The actors playing the older characters, Dumbledore, McGonagal, Hagrid and Hooch for example, are truly the best of the best. They obviously had been well coached on their characters, and all were wonderful. And I don't think anyone could have played Snape better than Alan Rickman. He really did look like "an overgrown bat"! The children were good, but don't expect the same quality of acting. Many are very definitely new to the acting world, and their performances are a bit stiff. Emma Watson is a bit overwhelming as Hermione Granger, and I hope that in the future she will be able to tone done the "know-it-all" routine. Rupert Grint was a good Ron Weasley, and really seems the most comfortable of the leading trio of Potter, Granger and Weasley. He has some of the better lines and delivers them well. Dan Radcliffe is a good choice for Harry, but sometimes he seems a bit stiff. He doesn't have as many of the naturally funny lines as he has in the book, but he has a wonderful moment in front of the Mirror of Erised. He has a depth of emotion that you don't always see in someone so young, but it didn't always come through to the audience as well as it could. The movie displays some spectacular effects, not the least of which is the Quidditch Match. It very exciting, and really is reminiscent of the the Pod Race in Star Wars I. But it was a lot more violent than expected, and some younger kids may find it overwhelming. The giant chess set was spectacular, but again it may be a bit overwhelming for some. The sets too, were wonderful, and things looked so similar to the book's descriptions. And to tie all of these elements together, a wonderful soundtrack. The music will probably become as familiar as the theme to "Jaws" or "Jurassic Park". The movie was fun, but some people will be disappointed. There are little details that may not be important to the overall feel of the movie, but they will be important to the "Potter Purists" out there. There are some people who will hate this movie because there have been some changes, and it isn't exactly like the book. But, the movie is already 2 and 1/2 hours long, without those changes the film would have lasted for much longer. If there are still people who haven't read the book, and I sometimes feel there aren't many of those left, this will be a wonderful introduction the world of Harry Potter. And hopefully it will spur them on to read the books. In the meantime, go to see the movie and imagine what it would be like to be able to fly on a broomstick.
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