102 out of 102 people found this review helpful.
How many films can they squeeze in before puberty? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Date of Review: Nov 17, 2001
The Bottom Line: You know that everyone has read the book when they are whispering "Here comes the Chess Scene!"
I have a confession to make. I, like zillions of other people, am crazy for Harry Potter. I just can't help it. My little Muggle mind is so enchanted with tales of the far away school of wizardry. So, when my husband told me that we were going on a surprise date on November 16, 2001- there could only be one destination.
We chose the late show, hoping to have fewer children present. (Even though from experience, I know that midnight is no barrier for Potter fans!) The theatre was packed with a lively crew. I was a little concerned during the previews, as the catcalls were almost unbearable. But, as soon as the owls started flying, the theatre was silent. We were ready!
Disclaimer
I can't think of a movie that was superior to the book. Maybe that is the elitist bookworm in me speaking, but really... Can you? Feel free to leave a comment setting me straight on this.
Harry Potter is no exception to this rule. The books are packed with gems of humor, insight, and magic that don't always translate to the big screen. When you read, your imagination is in charge of production, special effects, and casting. I find that even Hollywood pros can't compete with a healthy imagination. No offense, you understand. It's just how it is. So from this point on, I will approach this film as a film alone, and will try not to heavy handedly editorialize with comparisons to the book.
The Good
The owls are gorgeous. Fluffy, soaring messengers all over the place- what glory! I think I like the owls best.
The casting was excellent. All the characters were well chosen, and performed their given roles well. I loved Snape, Hermione, and girls everywhere will be putting up posters of the darlingly adorable Harry Potter. The Weasleys were utterly delightful. The teachers were exquisite.
The scenery. Hogwarts is breathtaking. End of story.
Quidditch. Wow! The film does a great job with a somewhat complicated game to understand. This scene reminds me of the pod racing scene in Star Wars Episode 1. The effects are glorious. The players whiz about like mad, and it looks like a jolly good time. The field is beautiful, looking like an aerial medival playing field. Good show. Good show.
Diagon Alley. Looks like a fun place to shop.
The Bad
Again, those troublesome comparisons to the book.
The movie doesn't get into meanness as well as the book did. The Dursleys are abhorrent, to be sure, but they aren't quite as nasty to Harry as they could be.
Snape isn't as mean to the Griffindors as he should be.
Draco Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle don't seem very threatening at all. Draco is more of an annoying punk, than anything. He never seems like a legitimate threat. Maybe that comes later. We shall see.
The Norbert the Dragon situation is handled rather shoddily. The real story must be too long for the screen, so they just hand it off to the easiest answer. Blah, I say!
Where is Moaning Myrtle?
The Ugly
The creatures are wonderfully created. And Nasty!
Fluffy. Mercy. I had a nightmare about him.
The Mountain Troll is dreadful. The Goblins are repugnant. The Centaur was amazingly frightening- as centaurs should be. And He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named? He looked like a supernatural Christopher Walken. Scary? Oh yes.
And so?
This is a great movie. It's fun. It's exciting. And it doesn't hold a candle to the book. If this bothers you, you might want to wait until it comes out on video.
In regards to the title of my epinion- I hope that they don't change Harry Potters in the middle of the series. Our dear Harry looks like he will burst forth into puberty at any moment. Can the special effects team hide that? I hope so. He can't blossom until book 4 at least...
