Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter, it depends...
Review: Harry Potter...Uhm, yeah, the spechal effects are good, but, not being a "Potter groupie" I gave it one star...So, yeah, if you like the books, you'll like the movie, if you never read them, read them first, before you spend some money on the movie, thats what I think, at least.Later.
Rating: 
Summary: "Are you doing magic? Let's see then"
Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (bizarrely the Philosopher has transfigured himself into a Sorcerer in the USA) is a children's movie with a difference. Thanks to the creative genius of J. K. Rowling, the judicious use of some excellent British actors, and an enormous budget, this is a film that treats its young viewers with respect. Instead of the usual schmaltzy children's fare, Harry Potter (notwithstanding a few minor aberrations) thankfully doesn't descend into the saccharine. On the contrary, it is a highly original and very entertaining trip into the hitherto infrequently visited realm of magic. To the many readers of the Harry Potter series of novels, the storyline will come as no surprise and the movie is very faithful to the book. Despite prior knowledge of the plot nullifying the film's suspense somewhat, the mise-en-scene created is a veritable visual feast. The extensive use of computer animation is largely superb - the first trip across the lake to Hogwarts is awe-inspiring, Quidditch is excitingly brought to life, and the three-headed dog is certainly as scary as Rowling could have wished - although there are occasional clunky effects, such as the entrance to Diagon Alley. The makeup too is outstanding, as evidenced by the alarmingly real goblin bankers at Gringotts. Despite the movie's 2 ½ hour length, it is relatively pacy as it follows Harry's discovery of the magician within himself, and his deadly duel with the greatest dark wizard of all time. Together with the help of his friends Ron and Hermione he battles mountain trolls, bewitched broomsticks, and a brutal but visually stunning game of wizard's chess. After all this excitement, the final showdown with the evil Voldemort is almost anti-climactic. Nevertheless, overall this is a spellbinding movie - in more ways than one.
Rating: 
Summary: Ok, but...
Review: The movie wasn't bad, but the book was so much better. I realize they had to cut a lot out to even get the movie to how long it is now, but it lost a lot in the translation. Especially with character development. Take Dumbledore: in the book, he comes across as a very wise, but eccentric, colorful old man. In the movie, he just comes across as a boring old man. Also, I think the movie was in some places a little more scary and graphic than it needed to be (like the scene of Harry's parents' deaths.) The movie stuck very closely with the particulars of the book, but it kind of lost the spirit. On the good side, the casting was excellent (the Dursleys, Ron, and Hermione, in particular), the Quidditch match was awesome, and the special effects were, for the most part, really good (except for the centaur. He was AWFUL!!) So this movie wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. But for all those who saw the movie but haven't read the book: Don't judge a book by its movie!!
Rating: 
Summary: Without Question - The Best Children's Film I've Seen
Review: I purchased HARRY POTTER without even seeing the movie, many of us have a habit of doing that these days. I was so enormously charmend by the fantastic visual effects (they surpass STAR WARS EPISODE II), the screenplay and the wonderful cast. You need not be a fan nor read any of the books to understand what's happening. There are little hints and explanations (for both Children and Adults) that guide you through the film. One reviewer had wrote something like "The Next Wizard of Oz", despite it's time and the technicol beauty of "OZ" there always seemed something missing from it. POTTER brings it all back. There are a few scenes that maybe a little scary for the little one's and there are some crazy religious fanatics out there that have chastised the film for what they call evil, however, the film is pruely innocent. It demenstrates true friendship, understanding of other people's differences and the beauty of once being a child. You really must see this film. As for the DVD, it could be a little better on the second disc. The menus are quite annoying and I still can't seem to find the "deleted scenes". The talent bios could have been detailed and it's really not necessary to make supplemental material somewhat of a game. The sound and transfer on the other hand is magnificant, colors are vivid and the soundtrack shines! The only reccomendation, if you do have small children that have tendency to get a little scared easily, turn the volume down.
Rating:
Summary: Really and truly is the "Wizard of Oz" of its time!
Review: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was definitely one of the best films of the year and one of the best fantasy films of all time. I was not disappointed at all, unlike some fans of Harry Potter. I thought Chris Columbus did a great adaptation of the book and I couldn't have asked for better. The film was very faithful, only leaving out some small scenes because you honestly could never fit the entire book into the movie...I mean, just look at "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"! Some people claim that a movie can never live up to the book it is based on, but in some cases that is not always true. Sometimes, the movie is actually BETTER than the book--so give the movie a chance! And also, I hate it when people say that, if a movie is apart of a series, since the first movie was bad then they do not want to see the other movies. Well, if you've read all four Harry Potter books then you know the better, more interesting stuff comes later...so just stick around and see the other movies before you judge even if you thought "Sorcerer's Stone" was boring and/or disappointing. I thought the casting was absolutely perfect! Daniel Radcliffe doesn't just PLAY the role of Harry Potter...he IS Harry Potter! Rupert Grint is funny and witty as Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson is smart and charming as Harry's other best friend, Hermione Granger. Tom Felton is really great as Draco Malfoy, Harry's arch rival at Hogwarts, Alan Rickman is creepy as Professor Snape. Richard Harris is mezmorising as Professor Dumbledore. Robbie Coltrane is hilarious and wonderful as Hagrid, the half friendly giant. And Maggie Smith is superb as Professor McGonagall. The rest of the cast are really good, too. In another review down below, I read that they are going to replace Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint (probably along with the rest of the child actors) for the "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" film and the rest of the Harry Potter films. I really hope they do not do that...these child actors are perfect! I thought they were going to do a film each year because each year these child actors will be a year older, like they are in the books. So they really do not need to replace them. So please do not replace any of these actors, because that will only ruin the movies!! Did I mention the special effects? Because the special effects are truly amazing!! I especially loved the big chess board scene and the Quidditch match, though in the book, they have two Quidditch matches. Hogwarts castle is truly spectacular! John Williams' score is haunting and breathtaking. The dialouge is OK, but it's really a children's fantasy film...it's not supposed to be another "A Beautiful Mind". For those who say "The Lord of the Rings" is better, get over it! They are two totally different movies! I really wish people would stop trying to compare movies like "Harry Potter", "The Lord of the Rings", "Spider-Man", and "Star Wars" because they are all different. Why do we have to choose between them? Can't we like them all?! The DVD includes the following special features:
*Never-before-seen footage
*Deleted Scenes
*Self-guided tour of Hogwarts
*A game where you can mix potions, perform transfigurations, explore Diagon Alley, catch a snitch, explore the library, and "attend" classes (you actually have to play this game in order to get to the bonus footage and deleted scenes...I didn't know this until after I bought the DVD and it's kind of tricky)
*Theatrical trailers
*DVD-ROM PC Extras
*Selected Scenes
*Languages & Subtitles in English and Spanish
*Top picture quality
*Top audio quality
*Two discs--first disc plays full-length film; second disc plays special features "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is a wonderful film! It's rated 'PG' for some scary scenes and mild language. As for all this religious stuff against Harry Potter, I'd say that the story of Harry Potter doesn't teach your children to learn black magic...if anything, it teaches them good friendship and what good verses evil means. Film Grade: A+
DVD Grade: A-
Rating:
Summary: Four Stars for Kids
Review: HPSS is definitely worth seeing once for an adult and probably thirty times for a youngster. The effects are very nice, and the story as everyone knows, is fun and intriguing. Do not recommend a buy for adults, but if you have kids it is a must.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what they made it out to be....
Review: This particular movie was one of the most hyped-up movies of the year,along with Wet Hot American Summer, and The Princess Diaries. Now, im not the biggest Harry Potter fan, though I have read all of J.K.'s books (but only half of the fourth, snore!), but I still expected better. It just wasn't that great, neither was the acting. People are writing these five star reviews not out of opinon, but rather out of deniel.Im not saying it was the worst movie ever, I just wouldint go out buying it, or claming it was one of the years "best films"...I dont know if I would have liked it more or less if I hadnt read the book first, because the fact that they cut out scenes really didnt bother me as much as it did with others. It's more like a "Thumbs Up" film rather than a "Two Thumbs Up" one...
Rating:
Summary: Essential HP, but Staid & Conservative
Review: About the Movie:
Of course, this is the story anticipated by millions. My kids have enjoyed re-watching it several times, but interest seems to be fading, as we await Book 5 and Movie 2.
Chris Columbus has managed to include in the movie all the important story lines from Book 1, and many parts are downright fun, such as SEEING a Quidditch game like the many we've imagined for several years.
The biggest problem in the movie is that every story line gets its little part of the movie, making the movie non-stop, whilst, incongruously, somewhat boring, as the pace stays relentlessly the same for 2-1/2 hours. Never terrifyingly break-neck, and never a breather. Remember the garbage compactor scene in the original "Star Wars"? A great breather -- just long enough to make the upcoming terrors stop your heart.
But, you can't skip Movie 1 in this set of 7! The DVD-ROM:
Hugely disappointing. Buy this for the movie, not for its PC companion. Ditto for the special DVD features played on a TV. It was hard to install, eventually failed, and delivered mostly just links to the HP web sites we've already enjoyed. Owl mail is just a way to get HP-related advertising.
Mixed potions, but couldn't figure out how or why you'd guess particular combinations, except through random trial & error.
Had a wand choose me, but it wasn't really me -- it doesn't know anything about *me*. Ditto the Sorting Hat.
Casting a spell over a scene in 8 languages is interesting. Once. Well, maybe a few are - 8 gets a bit much. It's really just watching the standard DVD capability to play in different languages. Never found many other features, probably due to failures with installing the viewer software, even after trying the latest patches from the web. (Learn Quidditch, Meet the Ghosts, Sneak past Fluffy, Collect Wizard Trading Cards, etc.) Worst of all, never found the 7 Deleted Scenes. (We all wanted *more* HP...) In summary, the DVD-ROM was thin, weak, disappointing contents, and technically flawed.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointment...The book was much better
Review: I a big fan of the Harry Potter books, and really looked forward to seeing the first book on the big screen. Unfortunately, as is true with most movies based on a book, it didn't live up to what I expected. It was fun to see a few things that I had imaged in my minds eye while reading on the big screen, but I guess I just expected SOOO much more. Maybe the next one will be better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Rating:
Summary: OK
Review: Because this movie was made while the book was still being widely read, it had to stay true to the original. Where the special effects were amazing, it stayed true to the original to a T and failed to add anything to the story. It lost the magic of the prose because it was too afraid to add any of the magic of movies besides special effects.
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