There's never a dull moment in this riveting adaptation.

Rating: 10/10 (28 November 2001)

Many film critics seem to be hitting some of the same points in their reviews: The film is too faithful to the book; the film is too long; the director didn't take enough risks; there's 'something missing' here. Generally, I do agree that the film had one too many set pieces, but I disagree that the film was too faithful to its source. I think nearly all the scenes in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" were necessary to tell the whole story, something most Hollywood movies have a hard time doing these days. Isn't it refreshing to see a film where each scene actually flows logically into the next?
The one scene I had a tough time warming up to was the "Troll" sequence. I thought it was an unbelievable contrivance in the book, and it was even worse in the film. Of course, at scene's end, the audience needs to see a glimpse of Professor Snape's bloodied leg so as to heighten suspense, but this moment could have been combined with a different scene to make the story more efficient. Other than that, I thought many of the book's subplots were appropriately condensed or excised.

In some ways, the film improves upon the novel. Steven Kloves' script wisely sidesteps the inane commentary of Lee Jordan during the Quidditch match. And I felt that the result of the showdown between Potter and Voldemort was more satisfying in the film than in the novel. Of course, with all the trimming and cutting, it's unfortunate that certain great quips and exchanges between characters are given the axe, but I must say that the filmmakers have created a compelling drama which, for the most part, captures the essence of Rowlings' popular book.
Overall, Chris Columbus' direction is solid, if not particularly brilliant. Columbus has often exhibited solid crafstmanship over the years, and here, his skill lies in bringing the story to the audience in a straight-forward, but engaging way.
The acting is quite strong. Daniel Radcliffe plays Harry as the cool, calm center of the film. Rupert Grint displays expert comic timing as the underpriveleged, but spirited Ron Weasley. nd Emma Watson captures perfectly the precociousness of Hermione Granger. Of the adults, all are stellar, with Alan Rickman and Robbie Coltraine standouts as the sinister Professor Severus Snape and giant groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid, respectively.
Regarding the score, John Williams occasionally overwhelms the action with obvious emotional payoffs. But his score also creates gentle lyrical moments, as when Potter sits and stares out the window at the moonlit lake during his very first night at Hogwarts.
One wonders how the Academy will warm up to the picture. It certainly has an epic quality and seems to possess all the elements of a classic film. I predict that it will receive nominations for Costume, Makeup, Visual Effects, Sound, and Editing, but not Best Picture. However, with such paltry offerings at the multi-plexes this year, who knows what could happen?