Rating: 
Summary: A Great Transition from Book to Film
Review: With J.K. Rowling becoming the richest author in the world, it seemed almost inevitable that her books should become movies. Though everyone went to the theatres with a healthy dose of trepidation, most came out satisfied, feeling that Rowling's story and vision had been successfully transferred onto the big screen. This is not too surprising as Rowling herself was a major participant in the making of the movie.For those people who have been living under a rock these past few years, here is the general story - orphaned Harry Potter is taken to live with his aunt, uncle and cousin where he grows with no knowledge of his magical past. He lives a rather miserable life under his family's tyranny, till his eleventh birthday when he recieves a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. So off he goes, to find his independance and freedom, a host of friends, kindly teachers who become parental figures, and of course an education in the magic arts. But there is a secret plot within the school concerning the Philosopher's Stone - one of the staff is planning to steal for his master - Lord Voldemort, the evil wizard who killed his parents, and only Harry, Ron and Hermione can stop them. The real strength of this movie lies in the transition of Rowling's imagination and her host of characters, places and creatures to 'real life'. The detail of the sets, the merticulous costumes, the superb casting choices, and the special effects make this movie a visual feast for the eyes. A big highlight was seeing the Quidditch match - it was inevitably more exciting visually than any written account of it. Although in some scenes you could tell the actor where obviously CGI or strung up against a blue screen, the pace and action eliminates this minor gripe.
Richard Harris as Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as McGonagall and Ian Hart as Quirrel are great, but standing out even more so is Robbie Coltrane as the gentle giant Hagrid and Alan Rickman as the cold, arrogant Snape, who still comes across as one of the good guys despite his loathing of Harry.
I felt that perhaps the friendships between Harry, Ron and Hermione was not properly created as I picked up no real warmth or affection between them. Though Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are all fine young actors and presented the personalities of their characters they functioned more as three separate beings than the team linked by friendship that Rowling creates in her books. On the whole, though this is a *very* enjoyable and re-watchable movie, it is presented more as an accomplice to the book, only being able to be fully appreciated to those familiar to the books, who are able to fill in the blanks that the movie leaves out. Therefore, I urge others to read the books before watching the movie, as it cannot even begin to convey the intricate layering that Rowling creates in her book that reflect on future books in the series (for example the plot twist concerning Scabbers in book three). Though purists will hate me, I felt perhaps film-makers should have been given a bit more extra freedom to work with the material instead of being so restricted to the book. To do so would have made the movie feel like it had beginning, middle and end, with character development, plot growth and a climax, instead of a series of events where one can almost see the separate chapters of the book.
Rating:
Summary: The World L-O-V-E-S Harry Potter
Review: I don't purchase DVD's very often, but THIS one is a keeper!!
I recomend this film to anyone who is brave enough to slip into the magical world of Harry Potter....
The world has gone crazy for Harry! It's no secret this movie has been a tremendous success worldwide. Many thanks to Chris Columbus for such a fantastic flic! It forces the audience to forget about their everyday troubles and enjoy the magical, mysterious world of wizardry!
And... an even bigger "thank you" to Daniel Radcliffe for a fantastic performance. WOW... what a talented young actor with a bright future!! And... he is SO adorable I could scoop him up and take him home!
I recommend this movie to anyone.... ages 9 or 99. It's such a treat. ENJOY!!
Rating: 
Summary: 2nd disk DEFECTIVELY printed or designed.
Review: The DVD movie is as expected, good all around and complete. The 2nd DVD in the set - the one with the extra features, hidden scenes, etc is seriously defective. It WILL LOCK UP your home dvd player every single time if you have one of a group of dvd player makes. All Aiwa and Zenith at a minimum are affected by this. More models out there as well. So far, Warner Brothers has done NOTHING in the US though they have replaced the 2nd disk in the United Kingdom for some reason. If you enter Olivanders wand shoppe and select any of the wand boxes, the dvd locks up and only a power off will allow you to exit and restart. If you want it for the movie only and don't care about the 2nd disk, get it. If you want to enjoy the added features, make sure you test someone elses copy on your DVD player BEFORE YOU BUY or wait to purchase the rental copies for less than full price later this year (2002).
Rating: 
Summary: " turn this stupid fat rat yellow"
Review: I first heard of Harry Potter when I was in class one day when I heard about H.P. My dad ordered the 1st 4 books and I said (at first by the way!) that i didn't want them. I hate turning down gifts though... Then that faithful day happened, I heard about Harry Potter and the Sorseror's Stone. Then I read all of the books out so far. Then I was hooked. Then They said a movie about the first book was in production. I saw the trailers, didn't need spoilers, I read the book. I couldn't see it in theatures. It came out on video and I saw it. I was thouroghly disappointed that they left Peeves out, and made Hermione a smart-@$$ know-it-all. But don't let that remark fool you, I was making a statment. Anyway Quiddich was awesome, Snapes acting sucked, he sounded like some 60's hippe who just discovered crack... The end was also a downer when there was only 2 things protecting the stone, not 4. Well maybe the rest won't be not-so-good. Avereage movie, not aweful.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie -- So-So DVD
Review: The Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie, called "The Wizard of Oz of Our Time," by the "thumb's up" dudes, is a fantastic movie that stays painfully faithful to the book. The DVD, however, is only slightly rewarding in the Extras department. Disc 1 contains the movie and the trailers (all three), and the source of my *ahem* unpleasant feelings is Disc 2. Catching the Snitch is a maddening thing. You can also learn the philosophies of the four Hogwarts houses, but that's [not the case] if you have the book. "Interviews" is very interesting, and the Deleted Scenes are okay (loved the extra minutes of the Potions class). The DVD-ROM aspect of the thing is less than what I expected, but it's okay. If you were expecting the DVD of the century... just watch the movie. The DVD's okay, but nothing special to me, and not enough to notch a full star off.
Rating:
Summary: Good movie, but the DVD was dissappointing
Review: What was the point of 2 DVDs? I find the 2nd DVD kinda pointless. All there really is to see is drawings and some deleted scenes, the rest is just a whole game. I think this DVD was just made to make more money for the WB, because everyone will want to buy this, and then they'll release a specail edition or director's cut DVD later, and everyone will go buy that one too. I'm not saying it'll happen, it's just my theory. I only reccomend you buy this if you really, really liked this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Faithful protrayal
Review: When I first saw the film in the movies, I didn't like it. However, on seeing it again on DVD no less it actually isn't too bad. The cuts from the book were intelligent ones that did not detract from the story. Certainly it is quality above most films out there.
Rating:
Summary: Good but not great
Review: This, i.e., Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
VHS ~ Daniel Radcliffe was an a very good movie with a fun story line and decent acting. However, at time the movie is a bit slow and the ending seems as if it was tacked on as an afterthought. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Fun film!
Review: Beautiful to watch, fun special effects, great casting...I love the books and think the film makers did a pretty good job here...cheers for Harry & friends...the DVD is really nice...
Rating:
Summary: Harry Potter's video is Great!!
Review: Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone is a great addition to the earlier written book. My recomendations are to read the book first then watch the movie as an added visual. The movies recreates the book just as I had pictured it while reading it. I think this is a must for everyone especially the ones who have read the series. Can't wait for November when the next one comes out!!
|
