Very Well Done

Rating: 10/10 (24 November 2001)

This is a terrific movie. Four comments.
1. It's interesting going to Rotten Tomatoes.com and reading the critical consensus, especially the ones who say, "Well, it's all right, but it's no 'Wizard of Oz'." Since "The Wizard of Oz" got exactly the same mix of Good, Bad and Eh reviews and went on to become a classic, I think we know what the critics can do with their "Eh"s.
2. The three kids are great, with my favoritism leaning toward Rupert Grint (Ron); he had the best comic timing. A bit of Harry's personality shading was missing. He looked noble a lot.
3. Being an elderly (43) fan of the books (Rowling is a fabulous writer and a hot redhead), I had an acid test ready for the film: would it make me teary-eyed in the same place the book did? (It has to do with Neville at the very end, so I won't say what it is here.) The movie passed.
4. Only regrets: not enough build-up for Malfoy as Harry's nemesis; it would have been nice to see more of the adults, especially John Cleese; and they REALLY need to stop showing the trailer for "E.T." with Drew Barrymore before the film, since it just lends to speculation that in ten years the currently adorable Emma Watson (Hermione) will be tattooed and flashing David Letterman.
Anyway, they did a really great job with this film. For the most part, what was cut from the book needed to be cut. I'll be waiting in line for the next one.