Fantastic Start To The Harry Potter Story

Rating: 8/10 (9 April 2020)

Pros:
1. The sound design is incredible, especially in regards to the spell-casting. It really makes the magic come alive.
2. The score is great and created one of the most iconic scores of all time. It still gives me chills when it plays.
3. The practical and special effects are done well, and still hold up nearly 20 years later for the most part.
4. The costume and set design are immense and they do an amazing job at helping to build the wizarding world.
5. There is fantastic chemistry between all of the actors onscreen and it's beautiful to watch, especially between Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger),and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley).
6. The likes of Emma Watson, Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell), and Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore) give really good performances.
7. There is some really exquisite and innovative camera-work. One brilliant example of this would be the shot of the owls entering the great hall to deliver the mail.
8. The action scenes are enthralling and well-choreographed, particularly in regards to the quidditch and the chess game sequences.
Cons:
1. There is some strange directing choices involving framing and zoom-ins.
2. The acting from Daniel Radcliffe is a little patchy at times.
3. Admittedly, some of the special effects haven't aged well at all.