Potter ROCKS!!

Rating: 8/10 (21 November 2001)

I am a movie nut. I see a lot of stuff. One thing I don't do though is read often. I use to when I was younger, but I find that at my age works of the printed word rarely raise my interest. Then one day, someone gave me a Potter book, and I was hooked instantly on the characters and the imagination of JK Rowling's world. I have read all 4.
With that being said I was very anxious, and VERY concerned to see the first adaptation of Rowling's first novel. I wondered if they would trash it's world, commercialise it, trivialise it, or worse somehow Americanize it in an attempt to appeal to US audiences. Luckily none of these things have happened there is no sacharine just pure sweet joy.
Chris Columbus has done a marvelous job in directing this film. First off, the movie just looks amazing. The 'other world' beyond the muggles is so richly detailed, every corner alley, every costumed character, every piece of wooden furniture, the shining red train of platform 9 and 3/4's, even the etching of chiseled emblems, team scarves its all there in abundance.
Then you have the young actors. Radcliffe as the perfect Potter, Emma Watson in her bookish teacher pet charm as Hermione, Tom Felton as the slick haired Draco Malfoy Potter's nemesis, and the best Rupert Grint as Ron Weasly Potter's sidekick and best chum who gets all the best lines and steals the show with his facial expressions alone.
Even at 2 1/2 hours long I didn't want this film to end. Sure things have been kept out from the book which is far richer, but if they included everything I am sure the film would have went on for 4 hours straight. What is important is that key scenes were kept that added to the plot of future films for those uninitiated with the story. Also those scenes that are included are just enjoyable, the Quidditch MATCH!!!, Potter in the wand shop, the escaping snake, Fluffy the dog, the flying keys... its all as I had imagined it.
Then you have a cast of minor players which I wish could have more screen time, Father Dursley's bumbling, Hagrid's stern but dumbness persona, and then the best Alan Rickman as the devious professor Snape, who draws out his lines with such skill it makes your skin crawl.
No the movie is not perfect it couldn't have everything, and I do think that those who have not read the book would be somewhat confused by its story as well. But all in all this movie is perfect for fans, adults, kids, and that small 1% of people who have yet to be initiated in the world of Hogwarts.
Bring on book 5 and Chamber of Secrets to film I can't wait.
Rating 8 out of 10