Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: Fantastic sets, and some amazing special effects. Adheres broadly to the storyline of the book
Disadvantages: Chunks of the story are missed out or details changed for no reason. Child actors are generally very poor!

...to the cinema to watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Anyone who has read my ops on the Harry Potter books will know that I am a huge fan of the stories, so I was very excited at the prospect of going to see the film. I was disappointed. In comparison to the books, the film was a complete let down. I suppose I shouldn’t have been too optimistic, as I can’t recall ever having been bowled over by a film adaptation of a book which I ... Read review

Advantages: The kids will love it.
Disadvantages: A worthy attempt, that falls short.

...of our small wizard friend Harry Potter. J.K.Rowlings great accomplishment of imagination and wit is spellbinding stuff and has understandably enthralled generations. My quarrel is with the film only, and has nothing whatsoever to do with simply slagging off HP as its becoming fashionable to do. First let me say how excited i have been by all the hype and rumours that have been seeping out ever since production began, then we had the Harry Potter ... Read review

Advantages: Good Family Film
Disadvantages: Over-Acting , Parts Missing

Harry Potter and The Philosopher Stone (HPATFS) is based on the book with the same title by J K Rowling. The film is taken from a series of books/films. HPATFS was directed by Chris Columbus and released on 16th November 2001. HPATFS stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter. Running time of the movie is 147 minutes. Harry Potter is an orphan. He lives with his rich aunt and uncle and cousin Dudley ; they are horrible to him. On Harry's eleventh birthday ... Read review

Advantages: read op
Disadvantages: read op

...as “Harry Potter” is called Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone. This book is the first of a proposed series of seven, all of which are anticipated to be films of gigantic moneymaking proportions. How then will the film live up to the expectations of thousands and thousands of young fans who know every word of the books? It is always a notoriously difficult task to convert a favourite book to film. I suppose that in all ... Read review

Advantages: a classic film
Disadvantages: floppy case, extra features a bit confusing

...actually read any of the Harry Potter books. This was just an oversight really – several times I’ve looked at them in bookshops and thought, “that sounds great”, but I’ve never got round to reading one. Anyway I’ve finally bought the DVD to make up for the terrible void in my cultural life. The plot certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s a blend of CS Lewis and Terry Pratchett – a fantastical story ... Read review

Advantages: wonderful, great special effects, impressive cast, Rupert Grint and Robbie Coltrane
Disadvantages: Emma Watson, Malfoy is underused, a year's wait for number 2 in the series!

...has hit our cinema screens. Harry Potter must now be a name known by all generations. How could the hype be avoided? The shops are full of Harry Potter toys, clothes, games, dolls, stationery and watches. But is the film just a piece of over-hyped forgettable twaddle – or is it much more? Read on and I’ll let you know what I thought of it… I have never read a J. K. Rowling book and I didn’t go into the cinema as a fan. But ... Read review

Advantages: Some strong performances, good effects
Disadvantages: Very OTT, rarely funny or exciting

Harry Potter is 11 years old when he discovers he is a wizard. Until now, he has been living with his pompous aunt and uncle (Richard Griffiths and Fiona Shaw) and spoilt cousin, who treat him like a servant. But then he gets letter (after letter after letter) from the mysterious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, followed by a visit from a giant of a man, known as Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). It is only now that he learns of his parents, ... Read review

Advantages: Truely a magical must see
Disadvantages: None

When Harry Potter first became mainstream I resisted the temptation of being sucked in. Despite several friends’ recommendations, I refused to be one of those adults who joyfully read the books whilst on the bus. Then it happened. My mate Mike (yes the one with the spooky phone for all my first op readers) has a friend who works in a cinema and we were offered the chance to see the film at a special preview! so when I got a call Friday night ... Read review

Advantages: Superb Plot, Good Acting, Good Effects, Enjoyable for all sorts of people.
Disadvantages: Can a film adaptation ever be as good as the book? (non-rhetorical question- your thoughts?)

...Lord of the Rings, but Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone. The reviews have been varied, but while some have slated it as a poor adaptation the overwhelming verdict on ciao is that this was a classic in our time. I’m inclined to agree. And I intend to review the film on it’s own merit, not concerning myself with the quality of the adaptation or anything like that, mainly because I haven’t read the book (yet). I write ... Read review

Advantages: tremendous action and scenery
Disadvantages: wooden dialogue

Harry Potter, the boy who has reawakened our need for magic, love and traditional family values has made it to the small screen in the living rooms of the nation. Expected to be a smash this DVD has not let AOL Time Warner, its financiers, down. Written by J.K.Rowling, "the philosopher's stone" is the first part of a tremendous tale of magic, courage and the fight of good against evil. The DVD attempts to recapture the essence of the literary surprise ... Read review

Advantages: Good book
Disadvantages: Bad film

...the start of the much-hyped Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The only sound was the biting of popcorn and the occasional cough from behind. The advertisements were finished. Everyone had laughed at the man burping in the woman’s face advert for BT Cellnet. Now we could focus on the film; on what we were really there for. The screen came up: we were told that Harry Potter was a PG. And the magical, enchanting music began. ... Read review

Advantages: Feel good movie for all the family
Disadvantages: It has a few scarey moments make sure young kids are with adults

...with the wonderful world of Harry Potter like pretty much of the world at that time! A never ending search began for the lead role of Harry and casting crews set auditions up and down the land to find the perfect lead role and none other than home grown Daniel Radcliffe took the role. Daniel's previous work was in BBC One's adaptation of David Copperfield in which he also took the title role! Many other cast members were then set with a glittering ... Read review