Good, but not great. Certainly not a classic.

Rating: 8/10 (18 November 2001)

I am 19 years old, and have read the first two books in the Harry Potter series. The books are great and I can understand all the hype. I was looking forward to this movie, but seeing the trailer gave me the impression it wouldn't be great. In watching the movie two nights ago at the staff preview and again last night I just thought the movie felt too rushed. It tried to include everything in Rowling's book which didn't capture all the plots in the story and in fact ruined some. The movie lost lots of the humor and emotion found in the book. Also, my friends who hadn't read the books were confused in a few parts since the plot had holes. They didn't even see Potter as being this great wizard. The movie was definitely written for people who had read the books. I would give this movie 2 1/2 stars out of 4. On a further note, being a young adult/late teenager, I can understand the appeal this movie will have to children 12 and under. They will want to go see it many times, I won't go again. One thing that bothers me about this movie is that it is the current fad, and for deserving reasons, the books are great, however, just like the latest Britney Spears cd, everyone will be running to the theaters to buy their ticket. I realize this movie will probably break the $400 million mark due to repeat viewings by younger children and their parents. Good for Potter, but it saddens me that this movie will do better in the box office than the Lord of the Rings. This bothers me for the Lord of the Rings will be a better movie but I do not think will make as much money due to all the repeat viewings of children and their parents. Both movies are worth seeing. But let's not pretend that Harry Potter is a classic when it's not.