Rating: 
Summary: The Trouble with "Harry."
Review: No movie in 2001 was marketed so aggressively as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (or 'Philosopher's' if you live in the UK) Stone." The hype machine at Warners worked overtime to ensure that this film would be a box office hit, and their efforts worked. I just happen to be one of the twelve people in the USA who hasn't seen this fable, and I finally decided to give it a try. The premise and story are both interesting: Daniel Radcliffe is impressive as Harry Potter, a 11-year-old kid who is raised by his cruel relatives before he is shipped to school to become a wizard and befriends a couple of classmates who help him during a series of adventures. At 2.5 hours, the movie passed along nicely, but ultimately suffered from an overall blandness that sank the movie. I fault director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steve Kloves, who apparently followed the book so closely so as not to include any surprises or any degree of spontaneity. On a technical level, I wasn't all that blown away. The scenes where the kids fly on the broomsticks were kind of blah, although the scenes with that three headed dog were impressive, if slightly reminiscent of "Jurassic Park." All in all, I was slightly entertained but also disappointed. A film of this magnitude is supposed to give the casual viewer a reason why the Harry Potter novels are such a staple in pop culture. As it is, this film is a serviceable kiddie flick that may please its built-in audience but will be hard-pressed to entice those who aren't all familiar with the novels.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost Boring
Review: I am a sci fi and fantasy fan, but I found this movie rather slow and the characters not particulary engaging. If you're a big Harry Potter fan or still young enough to imagine yourself being bundled off to wizard school it's probably a lot more engaging, but personally I'll save my DVD buying dollars for the Lord of the Rings. :)
Rating: 
Summary: Very enjoyable even for .. what is it .. a muggle?
Review: OK so what's wrong with watching a fairy tale even though you're well past the age of majority..... nutin .... thats what .. nuttin ... I have to admit that I did expect a good film considering all the hype that I have hear but I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. Number one, the writing was supurb and I can see why the books have a following .... unlike most of the film being presented today the viewer does not know what the end of the movie will be after watching the first five minutes. OK so we know that Harry Potter isn't going to die but then thats about it. The characters are interesting well developed and the special effects are superb if noty outright magical..... Buy this DVD and Im sure you will be showing over and over with friends and family OF ALL AGES ....
Rating:
Summary: A Suprised Parent's Review!
Review: My 14 year old daughter is a huge Harry Potter fan and being a normal parent I put off having to see this as long as I could. When my arm was finally twisted enough to set down and watch the DVD I'd bought her I was greatly suprised. It is a pretty entertaining story with some magic of course, but the underlying story of friendship and loyalty and honor is given just as much import. I got the feeling watching this that the books are probably a little darker and treat more seriously the life of neglect young Harry was living before being accepted to Hogwarts where the beginning of his history and perhaps his future are hinted at in the first film.
Both Rupert Gint and Emma Watson are excellent as Harry's new friends and together they look out for each other and solve the mystery of what has been going on at Hogwarts. There is a larger mystery we are only given hints about and since there are more movies and books to come we know we will find out a little more in each film. This is a pretty sweet story that entertains and has a subtle message about friendship and good vs. evil.
The young kids are all familiar, from the quiet one (Harry), to the smart but lonely girl (Hermione), to the poor but decent kid (Ron). They all work well together and when the next installment comes out soon I won't hesitate to see take my daughter to see it. With all the brainless young teen movies out there I have to give this 5 stars for that reason alone. This is an entertaining film you can share with your kids and that makes it a worthy addition to your DVD library.
Rating:
Summary: Blockbuster
Review: Young and old alike will enjoy this sure-to-be Classic for its ability to tickle the imagination of all of us. A winner that bears repeat watchings. No matter your age, find a comfortable spot, unplug the phone and enjoy.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge
Rating:
Summary: The book was Great and now the movie is even Greater
Review: I am not one for special effects. Actually i hate them. After working at Radio City Music Hall and seeing special effects done live and seeing real entertainment special effects in movies is worthless and is usually a cover-up for poor acting and untalanted actors. But i digress. Every-so-often there is an acception and this film is it. It's wonderful! Pure enjoyment! Fun & exciting, following as close to the book as i've ever seen. A perfect addition to my collection of DVD's. Please make it your also.
Rating: 
Summary: good movie, bad features
Review: The movie is good. I was annoyed with it when I saw it in theaters because of what happens at the end (they can't change the ending!), but I really liked it the second time because I knew what to expect and saw it with the idea that the film people had to fit an entire book into a reasonable amount of film time. The movie is really good. THe special features, on the other hand, are not. There is not much point to them. They seemed to me to be added as an afterthought, even though they get an entire disk to themselves. Just my opinion, and that's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. Oh, and definitely get the widescreen--you miss so much with the standard. :)
Rating:
Summary: Pretty vacant
Review: This movie is simplistic, dull, and derivative escapist fantasy. It is something like 36 hours long and most of the movie doesn't even have an antagonist... just feel-good filler to make the audience forget their unimaginative existence for a while. However, there is one good thing about it. It annoys the bible-thumping religious fanatics down south. An unintentional side effect, probably, but a good thing none the less. Keep at it Harry!
Rating:
Summary: The kids won't stop watching this movie!
Review: Having read, no - devoured all of the Harry Potter books in a very short period of time, it was a no-brainer that the kids and I would see this movie as soon as it was released; us and about 400 other people jammed into a poorly ventilated, sticky theater with a dodgey sound system and a projector that wasn't "quite in focus". Coupled with about a half hour of trailers before the movie even started, seeing the movie was not one of our best family outings. Ever intrepid, we gave the movie a second chance when it was released on DVD, and in the comfort of our own home...magic. What a wonderful time we had rewatching this magical film and comparing it to the book! Truly a wonderful film in which the differences from the book are negligable and take nothing from the story. The visual tour of Hogwarts and mystery game on the second Disc are wonderful bonuses as well. We purchased the DVD a month ago, and the kids haven't stopped watching. Each viewing reveals new discoveries in the form of fleeting ghosts, moving paintings, and subtle dialog that may have been missed previously. Very satisfying and highly recommended for kids of all ages.
Rating:
Summary: A Kid's Movie
Review: I found it very difficult to get through this movie in one sitting. The plot and dialogue are substantially watered down to the point where my guess is that the movie only truly appeals to those under 14. Nice special effcts, virtually no plot, and a script written on an elementary school level.
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