Mediocre acting makes for an average movie

Rating: 4/10 (1 December 2001)

To be frank, I was disappointed with this movie.
Possible spoilers included (not plot, only character portrayals)
Having read all the books, and having heard all the claims that Columbus had stuck faithfully to the book, Rowlings crying when she first saw it etc. I was looking forward to it. Problem is, much of the book was missing, and what was included seemed to jump from place to place - if you haven't read it (and I'm sure some people out there fall into this category) then you're going to be horribly confused. Much of the important background information just isn't in the movie and, at times, I heard people whispering "What about...?" or "What happened to...?".
What did impress me, though, were the lavish sets, some of the special effects (floating candles, troll, parts of the Quidditch match), and most of the adult actors. Robbie Coltrane exceeded my expectations. I still struggle with Rickman, fine actor that he is, as Snape though - Jeremy Irons anyone???
As for the four playing Harry, Ron, Hermoine, and Draco - it was there that the movie is essentially ruined. Harry comes across as a self-righteous little prep-school upstart whose attempts to be assertive and tough look like he's acting in the school play - and don't get me started on his inanely cheesy smile. Ron, probably the best of the four, was too perpetually anxious for me, not the cheeky troublemaker of the books. He must have had a special script "Ron says his line, and looks worried; Ron looks worried and then looks more worried". Hermoine annoyed me constantly. She was arrogant, self-righteous, superior, her script must've said - "Hermoine says line then looks at the camera through her nose". Draco, in the books, isn't a skinny little wimp with a bad haircut - that's Harry! In summary, these actors looked prompted and over-emphasised their expressions of surprise, excitement, and worry (but only when they weren't impersonating planks of wood).
Anyway, I read the books and then went and saw the first of the summer (well, here anyway) blockbusters. Now I have not doubt that despite Harry Potter setting all the records, Lord of the Rings will be around a lot longer (and hopefully break a few recently recorded records along the way). Bring it on I say.
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone - 6/10