If this is magic, I'll take the mundane!

Rating: Null/10 (9 December 2001)

I should have known!! I've seen Chris Columbus' work in the past: he's been a consistently uninspired director in his previous films. What possessed me to think that he would sublimate to something better this time. It had to have been peer pressure! All those wonderful reviews, and glowing, practically gushing user comments.....I found myself forking over just shy of $10 and was eager for the consciousness-expanding event everyone was promising. About an hour into Harry Potter, the only thing expanding was boredom and a certain irritation. I must say, at this point, that I love fantasy....ever since I was a kid. I've read and cherished Tolkien and Piers Anthony. I haven't read Rowling, but I'm sure I would have enjoyed it just as much. Therefore, I was quite excited during the previews in spite of the nagging problem with Columbus being the director. What I received was more than 2 hours of blockbuster mediocrity all dressed up with noise and serviceable special effects. The quality of style seemed to deteriorate as the movie progressed. The final battle for the Stone at the end was stylistically awful. The goofy head of the villain fused to the back of the instructor was on par with some of the creatures seen in mid-80's horror flicks. I remember laughing out loud. And did anyone notice the wretched editing??!! This amazed me.....I mean how many bazillion dollars went into the film, and you have Dennis the Menace doing the editing. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, avoid the latter. Read the book and let your imagination put the author's intent into its rightful place.