Secrets, secrets are no fun.

Rating: 6/10 (4 December 2002)

I gave this movie a 6 because it is at times spectacular and at other times idiotic, in a word: uneven. As a kids movie it is most certainly a 10, but you could say the same thing about that Star Wars prequels. Is it fair to compare this movie to the vastly superior Lord of the Rings? Probably not, but I can't seem to resist.
What Works: the general Harry Potter schtick is appealing and Rowling has constructed a well-thought out world. Everything looks good. Also I may have a crush on Emma Watson. I also like the name Tom Marvelo Riddle...would make a great post-punk band. To bad post-punk is dead. Long live klezmer!
What Doesn't: Dobby is not nearly as bad as Jar-Jar Binks but its the same kind of character: he manages to simultaneously annoy and screw things up for the hero and the audience. Also Harry seems to lack a certain emotional death in this movie. He reminds me of a passenger in a car, just sort of doing his thing, not really concerned with what is going on...all the way up through the climactic final scene. He never seems to be truly phased or frightened and we don't either. This series needs to make things more difficult for Harry. That is something Tolkein is much better at...giving his heroes seemingly insurmountable obstacles. For Harry, being a hero is more like a day at the office.