Rating: 
Summary: First Southern California Screening...
Review: Well, it was well worth it... I lined up to watch the first screening of Harry Potter in Southern California. As the lights dimmed on the theater and the story unfolded I was barely breathing. Everything is so well done, it's difficult to describe. If someone had been filming the inside of my head while I was reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, this is what they would have seen. Some people feared that it would limit the imagination, but I think it stretched mine even further. It was unbelievable to see the world of Harry Potter come to life before my eyes. With each new scene the audience emitted shreiks of glee! I couldn't wait to see what they would do with each of the particular scenes, and I was in no way disappointed. The three lead children, and many of the supporting cast are just fantastic. The boy who played Ron is absolutely perfect, and he was my favorite. The girl who plays Hermione is spot-on. She perfects the attitude that she needs! I wouldn't wait to see this one on video, it's definitely worth seeing on the big screen. You have to see it to believe that it is so well done. They don't omit anything big from the book, and I commend them for that, even if the film was 2 1/2 hours long. It was definitely a fun experience, and I will go back, but with my little sisters in tow this time! ENJOY!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Faithful.
Review: Harry Potter will only prove a disappointment to those who believe that greater fidelity to a literary source will automatically confer cinematic greatness. It is precisely this pedantic faithfulness to the literary, the endless introduction of characters and the tedious development of plot points that prevent this film soaring like true fantasy should. Any 'critical' praise so far has emphasised its wordiness, its familiarity, its reassuring refusal to take liberties with its source - all qualities antithetical to the sense of wonder and surprise fantasy should inspire. This literariness produces the film's second major problem, the actual film style. 'Harry Potter' is full of the most extraordinary visual ideas - from the snake escaping the zoo to the faux-sky ceiling of the banquet hall to the game of Quidditch to the mirror of Erisid - that have the kind of philosophical resonance you only get in the best children's literature. To be fair, the art direction team come up with some pretty good sets - Hogwarts itself, the Arthurian Quidditch arena, the haunted forest in which a dying wizard suckles on dead unicorns' blood. But, time and again, the clunky compositions and editing, the repeated resort to hackneyed close-ups and leaden establishing shots, prevents us from getting a true sense of them. The should-be spectacular games of Quidditch and wizard-chess are a fuzz of spectacle that preclude the viewer from any vicarious participation. The music is far too intrusive; the special effects are rushed and often unconvincing. At 2 1/2 hours, the film is far too long, stifling with a 'Gladiator'-like portentousness - the little mites at the screening I attended were getting restless long before a ghost of plot began hovering into view. The cod-Dickensian framework of the wizard world surprisingly carries over that period's prejudices - anti-Semitism in the representation of the goblin bankers; mockery of the Irish - apparently, even at the age of 11, we're all desperate for rum. There are compensations - Hermione is a heroine to adore, poised, arch and fearsomely intelligent, she is a Lisa Simpson who has at last found her milieu, and far more intriguing than her male friends. There is some fun in playing spot-the-minor-star throughout, and connecting their cameos here to iconic former roles (Maggie Smith as a wizened Jean Brodie; John Hurt as a Dickensian Krapp). But it's simply not enough - get Tim Burton for the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: The Healing Power of Magic
Review: I was most pleasantly surprised by the beauty and power of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. At my age, that's a feat. The casting and acting were superb, not to mention the sets, costumes- I am already wondering where I am going to find one of those exquisite magic cloaks- and camera work including of course all the special effects. The broomstick scenes are unforgettably stunning and thrilling. The hugest thrill of all in Harry Potter is the incredible magic and wonder of a classic fairy tale, something that has been lost in our modern-day bustle and business. Young children need the concept of good and evil to develop a sound worldview as they grow, and the standard, syrupy daily television fare sure doesn't do the trick. Harry Potter, along with his teachers, friends and colleages, present powerful role-models to children in a world that is too often plagued by darkness and confusion. The film offers up hope and strength to surmount obstacles on the path to goodness, enlightenment and above all, friendship.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: While movie critics (who clearly haven't read the book) find something missing from the first theatric instalment of Harry Potter, I found it marvelous. The spectacular film did an incredible job of portraying the story complete with all the little details noticable to the biggest fans as well as edit the story down to a movie that could be appreciated by non-readers for its beautiful story and amazing effects. The quiditch game is particularly spectacular and Harry's broom skills are magnificent. As the story progresses, it should be noted that the PG rating doesn't make Fluffy or Voldemort any less terrifying as they rip through the screen. None-the-less, children of all ages are destined to enjoy the magic of the movie whether they already know that they are muggles or not.
Rating:
Summary: You're going to be blown away
Review: I wont write any spoilers or anything. I just want to say that this movie is very entertaining and dark. It's just too exciting because of the acting and John William's music. I think Daniel Radliffe and Rupert Grint is the best actors in the movie. The movie is as good as the book, though there are some parts missing. But, hey, I don't care! Watch it and be blown away. I watched a special screening and I succeeded being a freak and making people laugh, cry, saying 'eww' and lots of stuffs. lol.
Rating:
Summary: I saw the Movie on Sunday, November 11th in Sacramento
Review: I am a big fan of the Harry Potter books and was lucky enough to see an advanced screening of the Harry Potter movie. The little details in the movie (chocolate frogs, Hogwarts Robes, Weasley Chrsitmas Sweaters, the Great Hall)were fantastic. There are some parts in the books that were cut out (I only noticed because I read the book a couple of days before the screening). It did not totally cover everything it could have in terms of the relationships between all of the main characters. Still, I feel the magic and other-worldliness of this movie goes over what I ever expected. I loved the acting in this movie as well as the relationship and chemistry between the Magical Three (Harry, Ron and Hermione). Quiddich was as exhilerating and amazing as the picture in my imagination. The special effects were wonderful and it was so perfect to hear the gasps of surprise and awe as we all got our first look at Hogwarts. If you have tickets to see Harry Potter this weekend, you are all in for a real treat. Share this movie with the book lovers in your life...then go back and relive the magic by reading the books again! Oh yes... I do not reccommend this movie to children under 7 years old. There was a set of 6-7 year olds sitting in my vicinity and they were very unhappy with the dark and scary parts of the movie. I am 26 and I was a little spooked by the realistic look of some of the darker characters in the book!
Rating:
Summary: A great adaptation of a great book
Review: From the moment we see Dumbledore in the mist on Privet Drive to the train leaving Hogwarts at the end of the school year, Harry Potter fans will be enchanted by this excellent adaptation of The Sorcerers Stone. The film is extremely faithful to the book, with nothing added that wasn't in the book. Of course, there were a lot of parts missing, most notably the character Peeves. But it isn't possible to fit it all in, and everything that was important is there. The CG effects were excellent and significantly adds to the mystical quality of the film. Overall, HP fans will love it, and I will anxiously await for the next film.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter and the Philosopher/Sorcerer's Stone
Review: Can a movie live up to the expectations all the media hype has put upon it? In a word yes. Harry Potter and the (sorcerer's) Stone, creates a lush environment in which the characters of Ms. Rowlings book come to life. While too imperfect to be called a master peice the 2 and a 1/2 hour movie will no doubt delight all of Harry's Fans. The movie IS rated PG Which means parents should rightfully consider before taking small children. There are a number of elements which WILL scare younger viewers. Not to mention I haven't met a three year old that can sit still for 2 and a half hours anyways. Entering the Enchanting world of Mr.H. Potter The cupboard under the stair case is a journey into what might be, and in Harry's world, what simply is. I would recommend this movie to ANY harry potter fan. If you haven't read the books you may not find the film as utterly enthralling as the next person whom has, however there is enough magical fun that everyone can find something to appreciate.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, but how will the movie turn out?
Review: The Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling were a great surprise in terms of their ability to make you laugh and their seemingly unlimited readability. Even so, they were slightly lacking in sophistication understandably since they were written for children. I think the movie will probably be fairly well done as it is being done by a talented director with the likes of Mrs. Doubtfire on his repertoire. I don't, however, think the movie will quite live up to its written roots as it can often be a daunting task to adapt such an original fun novel to the screen. While Chris Columbus has directed Mrs. Doubtfire, he has also directed such childish and uninteresting films as Home Alone. Even with these pessimistic anticipations, I hope the movie will exceed my expectations.
Rating:
Summary: A magical thrill ride - Fans of the book rejoice!
Review: I have to admit, I was ready to hate this movie. Having been a long-term fan of the Harry Potter books, a less-than-faithful adaptation could have spoiled it all for me. As it turns out, my fears were unfounded. Okay, some viewers will nitpick over discrepencies in characters' appearances, but all the IMPORTANT stuff is here. The relationships between the characters are spot-on. The film also successfully convinces us that the magical goings-on are part of the protagonists' everyday lives, whilst at the same time instilling a sense of wonder in the audience. This difficult balance is one of the main reasons the books are so successful. Some of the child actors are a little wooden at times, but generally the all-British cast is excellent. The rich characters of Rowling's books have translated perfectly. Robbie Coltrane IS Hagrid. Emma Watson (Hermione) and Rupert Grint (Ron) have immense fun delivering most of the film's best lines. Dan Radcliffe does well in the difficult task of communicating Harry's thoughts, when the audience is unable to see them written down. Deserved mention, too, for Maggie Smith's McGonagall, Alan Rickman's Snape and Tom Felton's nasty-yet-vulnerable Draco Malfoy. The quality of the production is excellent. The sets and costumes are fabulous, and the attention to detail is breathtaking. The effects are superb, obvious highlights being Harry's invisibility cloak, and the Quidditch match (an adrenaline-pumping spectacle right up there with anything Star Wars has to offer). In between the showpieces, director Chris Columbus remembers to let his audience take a breather with quieter moments. Harry staring out of his bedroom window, and he and Ron opening their presents on Christmas morning, are endearingly down-to-earth. And the scenes of Harry in front of the Mirror of Erised brought a tear to my eye (If you've read the book, you'll know why). That's not to say the movie is without its faults. In an attempt to please purists, ALL the subplots have been included (though pared down a great deal), when omitting a few entirely may have helped the pacing of the film. The opening half-hour may be difficult to grasp for those who are unfamiliar with the book. A few of the magical artefacts seem rather more mechanical than mystical. But these are all small niggles, really. The bottom line is that 152 minutes fly by as if it were half an hour. The only wish you have is that it were longer, and there can be no better sign of a good film than that.
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