A wonderful adaption, Harry fans need not fear

Rating: 9/10 (19 November 2001)

I read the 1st Harry Potter book early this year, and like millions of other was enchanted by the tales of this young boy. When I saw the preview to the movie I thought to myself "this could be great, as long as they stay true to the book and have good casting."
Well, my criteria was filled beyond expectation. Often books are changed to be made more exciting, more screen ready. They realized that save very few things, the book was very adaptable to the big screen already, and didn't need to change the story. And not only did Columbus stay true to the book, he went above and beyond in portraying everything as close to Rowling's vision as possible.
The casting is perfect, from Harry to Hagrid to Nearly Headless Nick. All the teachers are cast to a tee, as are Harry and his partners in crime, Hermione and Ron. Emma Watson, Rupert Grit and Danial Radcliffe do a perfect job portraying the Overacheiving Hermione, the carefree Ron and the quiet but determined Harry respectivly.
The perfect cast also gets to parade around in the perfectly realized world of Hogwarts. The attention to detail is something I haven't seen since Titanic. Even when no attention is being paid to the portraits in the background, the people in them are still moving. Most amazing of all to me is the realization of the Quidditch match in a dizzying sequence. Though explained very well, it is still hard to imagine the matchs when reading the books, but the match in the movie is fast and exciting.
I am giving this movie a 9, and the only reason I'm not giving it a 10 is because while I enjoyed it very much, my friend who hadn't read the book seemed a bit bored during some parts, and I can see where she would be bored while people who have read it would be captivated. I am looking forward to the sequal, because I think they will be able to put less emphasis on all the different places and effect and more on the story and characters.
But it's a wonderful movie, with great casting, great effects and a true to the book story, what more could we ask for?