Over used computer graphics, loudness and poor acting... where shall I begin.

Rating: 3/10 (25 November 2001)

I don't expect my comments on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone to be published as it goes against the complete general consensus that this film is one of the best. However I believe strongly in my opinion and felt that the other side of the arguement should be addressed.
I found the first installment a complete disappointment both from the masses amount of hype it received and the genuine entertainment that the book offered. I expected a film that would make me feel like a child again particularly after J.K Rowling herself approved and backed it. However in reality I found the film the complete opposite.
No one can deny the obvious attraction that children would have to both the books and the film particularly young boys who may enjoy the fighting, sports and "violence". I cannot see the appeal to everyone else particularly adults and particularly those who have read the books.
Generally I thought the film was badly made with the computer graphics being far to overused as if the creators are screaming "look what we can do with technology", the story is unrealistic but still believable, the film destroyed this believability. I also found most of the actors poor particularly Alan Rickman whose performances in the past should have made him a perfect Professor Snape but in actual fact he over-acted the role which could have been brilliant if he had just been himself or found the ability he used as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves. I thought the children were very stiff as well particularly Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson as Harry and Hermione, these children could not act scared under any circumstances, when they should have been screaming "ahhhhhhh" they wimply said "oooh". The film also put too much emphasis on noise in order to attract the children however there is only so much crashing, booming and banging that one film can take.
There were some small pros of the film such as Robbie Coltrane's portrayal of Hagrid and the comic timing of Ron Weasley as well as the well done Quidditch and Chess scenes. However this doesn't make up for the lack of some of my personal favourite aspects of the book, the darkness of the film which had very little happiness and light and the first half an hour which was so rushed but so empty without explanation or the time taken to build up the atmosphere, particularly the heartlessness of the Dursley family.
In conclusion Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a complete success at the box office and I am sure it will be when released on video and when promoting it's array of merchandise. Whether or not this is deserved success for the film is another matter, to me the creators have been successful in creating an illusion of greatness that people have been gullible to take without really analysing the film itself.