Nicely done.

Rating: 8/10 (3 December 2005)

This is a great adaptation of the first Harry Potter novel, with a properly paced story that takes you along for a magic joy ride. I'm especially pleased with the score by John Williams, who again creates a memorable main theme (the last memorable one being 1993's Jurassic Park) and keeps the story moving along. The kids that play the main characters are properly cast, along with the adults (especially Alan Rickman as Severus Snape and especially Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore - he is sorely missed after Chamber of Secrets, RIP). Unlike the successive films, this has the simplest of stories and is therefore the easiest to follow. And because it is the first film, we, along with Harry Potter as our guide, are happily discovering the new world of magic and witchcraft. A solid of 8 out 10!