Tragic rendition of a kids book

Rating: 1/10 (19 November 2001)

This movie was not on my list of movies to see, but due to extenuating circumstances I found myself in the theater for this movie. The best part by far was the Lord of the Rings trailer that was previewed before the movie. I thought the movie was as decent of a rendition of the book as could be done in a two and a half hour movie, but lacked a lot of things which go back to the book. The problem I have with the book and with the movie is the cult following that Harry Potter has, when it is nothing more than a kids story. There are much better stories out there for kids and especially adults that make this story look cheap. The book was entertaining, but lacks depth and a thought-provoking plot. When I was young I was reading Lord of the Rings, The Count of Monte Cristo, the Three Musketeers and other classics. These books help build vocabulary, develop the mind, and lead to reading other classics that provide a foundation for writing and creative thinking. I have read the first Harry Potter book, and found the writing style repetitive, and the reading level less than desirable for anyone but a third grader.
The movie was an entertaining kids movie, just as the book is an entertaining kids book. The fact that it is so popular in our society is a sad testament to the lack of intelligence and the incompetence of adults and children that have grown up in the present age of cheap thrills.