A young boy discovers he is a wizard and enrolls in a school of witchcraft.

Rating: 7/10 (23 November 2005)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is really challenging to evaluate on traditional grounds. It is highly original, infinitely complex, tight as a drum in terms of coherence, and leaves a powerful emotional and intellectual response from the viewer. Based on these grounds I start the movie at 100.
However, I must deduct from this movie based on the following grounds. Terrible acting from Emma Watson, who is only good when she is silent. This is appalling considering that she is a huge part of the story. (-5) Daniel Radcliffe is better at the beginning because I never feel he makes a compelling enough transition into wizard prodigy. (-3) Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom is absolutely dreadful (-1). At times terrible special effects (-3) but on the whole impressive. Could have been more tightly edited (-3) Fantastic cinematography (+3) Brilliant music (+3) Terrible sound at times (-3) Writing can be trite and uninspired (-3) Great sets, costumes, makeup (+1)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: B (86)