READ THE BOOK!!!

Rating: 9/10 (10 December 2001)

Skim through the comments, talk to friends, and you'll find out: this is a movie designed for those who have already read the book. The director C. Columbus has focused on giving us visual interpretations of the scenes, persons and monsters J.K. Rowling described in her story at the expense of her humour, subtle plot twists, and character development, particularly of Harry. The plot line of Harry's solving the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone (that's the REAL name of the thing--ask any alchemist) is emphasized to the detriment of the more subtle plot of Harry's struggle to achieve self-confidence and a feeling of belonging after his abusive upbringing with the Dursleys.
For those who have already read the book, all of these gaps are filled in from their reading. The result is that almost all enjoyed the film (although the book was better) except those few whose mental images were impaired or who couldn't understand that some things had to be left out if the film was to be a watchable length.
Of those who watched the film without reading the book first, the missing plot points and character development either makes them wish they had read the book first, and to vow to remedy that defect without delay, or to sneer at these faults because they cannot be solved within the context of the film without radically deviating from the books themselves. While it may in some cases be fair to say that a film should stand on its own, this one was never meant to do so. It is an illustration to a novel. It should be viewed on this level or not at all.
The upshot is, if you plan to see this movie, READ THE BOOK FIRST!!! You are much more likely to enjoy the film. Also, do not be confused by the hype or spin-off merchandising. The success of the Harry Potter novels is based exclusively on their merit as books and that success was well-established long before there was any hype or franchising. Only those both ignorant and cynical would attribute the notoriety of the stories to hype or franchising. Ask any kid who has read them.