Not so Magical After all

Rating: 5/10 (10 November 2002)

When the Harry Potter books first came out and began to capture the interests children and adults alike, I just brushed it off as another fad that would stay for a while and disappear without a trace. I wasn't interested in the books at all until one of my closest friends suggested that I read it. At first I declined and thought it would go against my style if I was sucked into the Potter craze. Then one day at the library, I noticed an entire shelf committed to Harry Potter books, written by the much loved author, J.K. Rowling. "What harm could it do? I'll just read it, and then I can say 'I told you so' if i hate it." So, I borrowed all four books, took them home, and began to read. I was in for the biggest surprise of my life. I actually liked these books! I couldn't put them down, and I though I hate being proven wrong, a little part of me was glad that I had borrowed and read these books. Then I bought all four books from BN and anticipated the upcoming movie, "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone." After seeing the movie on the first day it came out (perhaps it was all the propaganda going around) I thought it was "great." I saw it twice more and began to realize this movie wasn't that great. Some of the scenes in the novel are cut out, (some of them were my favorite), and was much disappointed in that. Other than that, I didn't imagine Professor M. to be that old. Sure, I knew she was old, but not THAT old. Hagrid wasn't that bad, except he appeared to be more stupid or absent minded in the movie than he had in the book. "I shouldn't have said that." was repeated way too many times to receive laughter.

Hermione - where's the big teeth?
Ron - He was "ok" in my comparison to the book.
Harry - harry was supposed to be small and skinny in the book. Maybe daniel radcliffe should lose a few pounds so he can look a bit thinner.

Malfoy - In my opinion, he perfectly matched the look.

It's all my opinion, but overall the movie was maybe a 5.4 out of 10, that is, if you've read the book. I didn't think it was all that great after watching it 4 times and began picking up flaws. But if you haven't read the books and plan to watch it once or twice, it'll be around 8.3 - 8.7 range. I hope the next movie will be better.