It's all there but the magic.

Rating: 7/10 (16 November 2001)

OK, it's got some funny moments and some inspired little bits not in the book (I loved the tip of the hat to Gladiator just before the Quidditch match), but it is not the whimsical, innovative movie it could have been. Excellently cast but most of the actors seemed to be somewhat subdued (Daniel Radcliffe as Potter is particularly wooden).
I know it's a daunting task to bring such a colorful, fanciful, detailed world from the page to celluloid, but I feel it still could have been done with a little more flair and invention. At times, it seems like they were just ticking off the events and characters in the book, just to make sure everything and everyone got to shuffle across the screen (save a few items that were left out for time and narrative concerns, presumably).
I also did not see nearly enough of Quidditch, or Alan Rickman. His Snape is just as oily and mean as the book's, but with an amusing dash of dementia. You stop just short of hating him when you realize he reminds you vaguely of Ally Sheedy's character in the Breakfast Club. Or maybe it was just me.
Also, since it's already just over 2.5 hours, I really question the few things they left out...at such a length, certain minor characters and story points needn't have been sacrificed.
My son ate it up though. He'll surely see it again. I might pass.