Very Good

Rating: 9/10 (21 October 2002)

The first time I saw this movie I was surprised at the look of the film.

The scenes in the Dursley's neighborhood, look very similar to the way English sitcoms look on public T.V. They are very dry and look almost bleached. The scenes at Hogwarts and Diagon Alley are filled with color, and are visually stunning. Not unlike the Wizard of OZ, which Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone can be easily compared to. The performances are uniformly excellent. The actors in Harry Potter thoroughly establish their characters personalities. Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Sean Biggerstaff, and others are really impressive in their roles.
Harry Potter includes some really elaborate art direction and sets. The first scene in Diagon Alley, you see a vibrant, bustling town, it matches the book. Chris Columbus really deserves a lot of credit. His direction artful while being faithful to the book. Without giving to much away the ending was brilliantly re-imagined, it was really fleshed out. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is a great and underrated film.