Jon Monsarrat review: generic and boring

Rating: 5/10 (1 April 2002)

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is a great film for kids in the same way that a lot of generic fiction is great for kids. They are too young to know that many of the themes in Harry Potter have been done to death in other fantasy books and (to an extent) movies.
To make it worse, two factors. One, Harry is a bit of an anti-hero because things happen to him rather than he taking the lead. Additionally, bits and pieces of the book are placed in the movie in a way which builds quite a meandering plot for someone who hasn't read the book. The game of air hockey "quiddich", and learning to fly the brooms are two examples. The overall theme of the Harry Potter series (as I have been told by friends) is that Harry is a little boy who finds himself, grows up and discovers greatness. That theme is 100% lost in the film.
If you didn't rave over "LadyHawke" or "Labyrinth", or more recently, "Final Fantasy" or "Jumanji", you probably won't rave over Harry Potter. Arty types who've been listening to all the hype and considering going should note that the film didn't win any Oscars. Harry Potter is a world apart from Lord of the Rings.
Who should see this film:
-- Fantasy buffs -- I won't be able to dissuade you so I won't try,
but don't bring your SO, instead take him/her to LOTR.
-- Kids and adults with kids who have built up a tolerance
to kid stuff
-- Sci-fi buffs who either love computer graphics or have
nothing better to do on a rainy day.
I'll give Harry Potter and The Sorceror's Stone a 5 out of 10. Sorry!