Harry Potter

Directed by: Chris Columbus

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris

Rating:

So everyone's been waiting to see how the movie turned out. I wasn't disappointed. That's not to say that I was pleased either. It's just about how I would figure it to be. However, as an avid fan of the famous Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling I must say that there are a lot of things that I thought should've been kept into the movie that would've added a lot of substance and only a few minutes more to the movie.

But, on the flip side, if you are one of the 3 people who haven't read the books, then maybe you'll like the movie even more. I grant that I am more critical because I liked the books so much. And for those same 3 people, here's the sum up. This movie follows a young boy named Harry Potter right at a time when something big is going to happen to him. He's been living a shabby existence with his neglecting relatives when he finds out he is a wizard. He has to travel to a magical school to train. There he meets some new friends and he has to confront those who may have had something to do with his parents' deaths.

So, here comes the breakdown of the aesthetics... First, the effects are eye pleasing but a bit over the top. Then again, how are you supposed to film a game of Quidditch (a soccer like game played in the air on broomsticks).

The movie sticks pretty darn close to the book, the exceptions are changes they made to save time. However, since the movie was so long anyway, I thought scenes like the one where Harry meets Draco Malfoy in Diagon Alley would've been nice. But instead it's cut out and a small scene added when the boys get to school.

The casting is pretty good. I know that Rowling and Columbus put a lot of emphasis on getting British actors with the appropriate accents. Generally, I think everyone did a good job. Alan Rickman does a fantastic job as the suspicious teacher, Snape. He's exactly how I would've imagined him.

I was a touch unpleased with the "muggle" family that Harry lives with. There was quite a lot more detail put into the book about them. But as I mentioned before, I am being overly critical because I enjoyed the books so much. The movie is good and well made but it's not great. I think that most people, especially those who haven't read the books will truly enjoy it. But I admit, I'm looking more forward to the next book than the next film. And as a side note, this is the only Christopher Columbus movie that I can recall seeing where there isn't some overly simplified, politically correct ending.