Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: When the Harry Potter books came out, I was not one of the ones who rushed to the bookstores to read it. In fact, I didn't even bother. A fantasy story about child magicians? Pish posh, I'm more into books on the level of Tolkien, I thought to myself oh-so-proudly. I'm a decade too old to read children's fiction, I also thought to myself.When the movie came out, I was one of the ones who didn't feel the slightest inkling to go see it. But while I browsed through the shelves of the local video store looking for a light movie to watch, I decided to give Harry Potter a try. I was impressed, as was my husband. Halfway through the video we were cheering Harry on and were absolutely glued to the screen. The next day we went to the video store, this time to buy the DVD. I was pleasantly surprised at how a story, geared for children, could hold and capture my attention. It was absolutely delightful. I think "delightful" is the best word to describe this movie. The special effects don't detract from the plot, but help to further move it along. The effects do their job and suck you into the world of Harry Potter. This is truly a rare kind of movie, the kind that adults and children alike can enjoy watching together. There is nothing too deep that children can't understand and there is nothing trite or painfully childish that adults will get bored of. The thought and imagination that went into the story is brilliant. The innocence of this film is something children will appeal to and adults can appreciate. People of all ages will find entertainment in this film. Watching this film was a lovely experience for me. I relived sparks of childhood wonder I felt years ago from reading and watching books and films such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Absolutely refreshing and delightful.
Rating: 
Summary: Blue Screen Blues
Review: Loved the books, loved the audio books even more, but despite the stellar cast, this movie came across as inept. It's a prime example of how blue screen digital derring-do can fall flat on its face. The computer backgrounds were uneven, at times almost cartoonish, and the special effects weren't always that special, from the first look at the outside of Hogwarts to the fake-n-bake Quidditch match. Not seeing some of the best parts of the book was a bit disappointing, but that wasn't the main problem with the movie. It's almost always necessary to eliminate some book episodes to keep the cinema pace moving. What grated the most was the ineptness of the not-so-special effects crew. Truly grade C.
Rating: 
Summary: Watered down but still magical
Review: I liked the movie version of this wonderful book for the reason that it was Harry Potter, plain and simple. I could not bring myself to give it less than four stars; still, I could not give it five, either. The book was, of course, better than the movie. What can you expect? That's the way it always goes down.
I'll get my picky details out of the way. If you didn't read the books, you don't care about these. First, it was a slight irritation to me that Harry's hair was in no way messy. That was actually a pretty big part of the book and his character. Second, the whole movie's mood and tone were different that the book's. The book was more matter-of-fact - everything about Hogwarts was just like an average English boarding school - except magic was bursting from every wall. The wizard-born students treated it like it was normal. But in he movie, every quirk (the moving pictures or owl post, for example) was accompanied by a mysterious, twinkling background music. I did like it, but I had to completely separate the movie from the book - almost as if they were completely different stories.
The special effects were interesting. Most of all, however, I loved the spirited performances by Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe. I loved Rupert Grint as Ron. He was my favorite character. The way he conveyed Ron's half-awkward, half-arrogant presence and delivered those lines that Ron didn't mean to be funny, but were anyway.
I hoped this review helped you decide whether the movie's worth seeing, whether or not you've read the books.
Rating:
Summary: In the words of Ron Weasley: BLOODY BRILLIANT!
Review: This is one of those movies that actually lives up to it's hype and this became one of the highest grossing movies of all time next to " Titanic". At first when i heard this movie was coming out in Novemeber, i thought it would bomb like other kids movies but then it was a success with critics and audiences alike then i went to see it and i was amazed by it, i saw it twice and loved it. Chris Colombus does justice to the books in the fantasy about a young boy who is a wizard attends a school for witches and sorcerer's but then he discovers that there is a hidden secret known as the " Sorcerer's Stone" and Harry himself has to find it. A monuemetnal movie in 2001! i loved it and got me hooked into the Harry Potter books, this is the best movie i've seen last year next to " Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Rings", afterall i am a major fantasy fan :), this is worth owning on DVD for the entire family and it's worth watching again and again, but with each viewing it gets better, can't wait for the sequel. Will become a classic in the hall of fame of fantasy along with " The Wizard of Oz", " Lord of the Rings", " The Last Unicorn", " Dark Crystal", " Labyrinth", " Legend", " The Neverending Story", " Ladyhawke", " Big Trouble in Little China", " Return to Oz" and " The Princess Bride".
Rating:
Summary: Great book, the movie falls short
Review: As stated, the book is outstanding. However, the movie falls far short of the high standards of it's namesake. Instead of trying to create a movie, the director devided instead to try to film the book. The result is a movie that is very choppy, akward, and in some places seems altogether too long. Had the filmmakers attmepted to pull the main story elements from the book and create a movie surrounding them, this could have been one of the best movies of the year. Instead this movie can be hard to follow for those who've not read the book (although, by this point who hasn't read the book?). Watching this movie for the first time was an interesting experience. Watching it for the second time almost put me to sleep. This movie is great for kids and for huge fans of teh books, but it won't be gracing my collection.
Rating:
Summary: Good can win over evil - but only with your help!
Review: Sometimes a good book is made into a great movie (Wizard of Oz), and sometimes a great book is made into a good movie (Black Stallion)- this was a great book made into a great movie. There is nothing significant added to the movie as it is very true to the book, but there is an amazing reproduction of what most of us would have thought was our individual vision of Rowling's world. I was thrilled with the movie in the theater, I was just as enthralled with this DVD at home. For those of you who haven't read the book - watching the DVD will give you an excellent feel for the world within Rowlings magical books. Owning this DVD will allow you to revisit the original story, or allow a younger child to 'catch up' to the series. Rowling's world is a world of Light and Darkness, good verse evil, magic and bravery and plenty of adventure. The lessons taught are lessons in surviving hard times, making the right choice (not the easy choice), putting the wellbeing of others before your own, and standing up for what you believe in. As a Christian I have great difficulty believing that letting children turn their imaginations lose into this magical fantasy will somehow take them to the dark side. I grew up reading about Casper the friendly ghost and his friend Wendy the witch, and I have yet to practice any kind of black magic or voodoo - but it did help to develop a lifetime love for reading. Adding this movie to your home collection will be a good investment. It's the perfect movie for rainy Saturday nights, popcorn and family.
Rating:
Summary: What a great movie for all ages!
Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was one of the best family films I have seen in years. I saw it 3 times in theaters and bought it the day it came out on video. Some Harry Potter fanatics might argue that the movie was not good because it did not contain EVERY scene that the book had. Well, to you fanatics, I have to say that if the movie had contained every scene then the movie would have been like 4 hours long. I thought that the movie stuck very true to the book, even if it had to edit a few unimportant scenes. Anyone who loves the Harry Potter books should at least like the movie. The effects were great, the acting was great, and so was the storyline. How many movies are there that have all that anyway?
Rating:
Summary: So Perfect, It Had To Be Done With Magic
Review: This movie was totally awesome. Yes, it did miss out on some things on the book that we all would have liked to see more of, more Quidditch for example, but it was pretty well done. The special effects were cool, and the acting for most characters was great. It made the story come to life even more, and for those that don't like to read, you just have to see the movie. The characters were chosen perfectly, they fit their roles like a sock fits its owner...(ok, bad analogy, but you get the point). Everyone should experience the magical world of Harry Potter. From the moment you first see the characters, you are hooked. Everyone should have this movie! A must have for the Harry Potter fan!!!
Rating:
Summary: Must see for all ages
Review: This movie was a must see for any age. Great for kids to stimulate their imagination and great for adults to wake up imaginations that may have been asleep for some time. The acting is surprisingly good for new young actors and the setting is amazing it feels so real. Don't miss this one. It's worth the usual $20 for a DVD and I rarely spend that much on any movie
Rating:
Summary: "Spectacular magical movie "
Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is an amazing movie and even though the movie is good enough, I suggest getting the DVD and only the DVD because it includes so many extra features. None of that how they created it and special effects. The extras include: tours of Hogwarts and other places, making potions, some trailers, and several languages are available. There are so many things to do that you probably will forget the whole movie, altogether. It's very much like the book and there aren't many differences. The cast was perfect and thought Daniel Radcliffe didn't give us too much drama and excitement as say....Haley Joel Osment in A.I., it was still an enjoyable adventure. Harry Potter, a boy who lives with his aunt and uncle after his parents died when he was young, has no idea that he is very special. Then on his 11th birthday, a giant named Hagrid breaks into their house and tells Harry that he's a wizard and is asked to come learn more about magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry joins and finds himself interested in a deep mystery connected with his parents, their murderer Voldemort, and even some of his friends. A very enjoyable ride for the whole family, I give Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 4 stars. I can't give it five probably because the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets might be better and I can't give it 5 stars. But who knows? Maybe in a couple of months, another magical character will come into bookstores and movie theaters that is not based on J.K Rowling's novels. A box office hit and masterpiece that you cannot afford to miss. Buy it now and remember my advice, buy only the DVD! Time: Approximately 145 minutes Rated PG for brief violence and mild language.
| 
