This is the Harry Potter I imagined while reading.

Rating: 9/10 (16 January 2002)

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (2001) Rating: 9/10
I must say that you don't have to be a fan of the books in order to fully appreciate this film. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that you might appreciate it even more if you haven't read the book (the three people I saw it with loved it just as much as me, a person who has read the book). For one, you have no idea what's going to happen, so everything is unpredictable. And two, whatever is left out of the book wont bother you. Having said that, I wont compare and analyze the book and film to death, like so many others have done already because as a stand-alone film, it's pretty amazing.
The casting is something along the lines of ideal. Rupert Grint is ideal as Ron, the clownish chess friend with a heart of gold, and Emma Watson IS Hermione, from her brainy smugness to her fierce loyalty. Daniel Radcliffe, as the courageous but modest orphan with extraordinary abilities, is utterly captivating. Harry lives, thanks to this talented twelve-year-old. The chemistry and friendship between the three is undeniable. Robbie Coltrane IS Hagrid, the lovable giant with a fondness for dangerous creatures. Alan Rickman is sufficiently creepy and sinister as Professor Snape. Crisp, stern Professor McGonagall is brought most believably to life by Maggie Smith, while John Cleese does a delightful, if brief, turn as Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, the ghost who haunts Harry's dormitory. John Hurt has a splendid, though again short, appearance as an eccentric wand-maker, Zoe Wanamaker is wonderfully spirited as flying teacher Madam Hooch and I enjoyed Ian Hart and Richard Harris as Professor Quirrel and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, respectively.
Chris Columbus and Steve Kloves did a great job of bringing the story of a modern-day boy-wonder from the pages of Rowling's incredible book to life. Columbus clearly has a knack for directing children, he shows it here as well as in the Home Alone flicks and Mrs. Doubtfire. And since I had recently seen (and liked) Wonder Boys, a film which Steve Kloves had adapted and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, I had faith in his ability to adapt books into films. Most of the important events are there, with one or two new episodes to replace large amounts of text, which works just as well.
As for the visual effects, they were pretty slick. I've read many reviews in which people have thought that the effects were bad. But, I enjoyed them a lot and thought the best use of them was in the Quidditch scene. It was fast, loud and damnit, it was just cool! I liked it.
Overall, highly enjoyable and entertaining. The cast was great, the direction was great, the visuals were sharp and the screenplay was well-adapted. The score by John Williams is memorable as well and every time I here the theme, it gives me goosebumps.