too over-hyped; doesn't deliver

Rating: Null/10 (3 December 2002)

I've read all the Harry Potter books and really liked them. This movie pales in comparison to the books. Too much is left out of the movie, especially the ending. The book shows how all 3 kids overcome the challenges by doing what they are good at. And the movie leaves some of that out. The kids were awful actors. They must have cast the cheapest kids they could find.

Dumbledore was what I pictured from the book. I also liked the Gobulin Bank, the mirror, and the hidden alley. It was pretty much like the book. The special effects were good, but that doesn't make up for the slow pace of the movie. Time just flew by when reading the book. The quiddick match wasn't that great in the movie either.

FINAL VERDICT: If you don't want to be disappointed, then just read the books. But if you must watch the movie, watch it on tape so you can stop it to take some breaks because you will need some to be able to stay awake during its slow moving pace.