Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Synopsis: Adaptation of the book of the same name
Reviewed by Brie Silveria

Okay, as this is my first review, let me first start by saying that I am HUGE Harry Potter fan. I've read all of the books and am anxiously awaiting the Fifth Year. No, I am not a 12 year old by. I am a thirty-something year old woman who loves to read and enjoys a story that can transport you to another world. The movie version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was able to capture the basic essence and magical feeling of the Harry Potter series. It is one of the few movies (possibly only movie) that I actually watched two days in a row, because I enjoyed it that much. The director, Chris Columbus, did a phenomenal job keeping the Harry Potter spirit alive, without going "too Hollywood." Even those (like my husband) who had not read any of the books, can enjoy and become a part of the Harry Potter world. The storyline is great (even a little Star War-ish, dare I say, but with MUCH better dialogue) and the special effects are mind blowing.

There were a couple of times in the movie that I thought they were dragging on a bit, just for special effects sake (i.e. Neville crashing the broom on the first broom flying class), but then there were a lot of things I thought they left out (i.e. What happened with the "real" story about where Norbert went?). Although the things that were left out and things that were switched around weren't critical to the storyline (couldn't they have at least mentioned Hedwig's name?), for a true Potter-ite it would have been nice. And for those critics that said the Quidditch match was too long, all I can say is, I needed MORE!

Yes, it's true, the movie is over 2 hours long, but really I needed about another hour to really complete the whole Sorcerer's Stone story. Can't wait for the Chambers of Secrets to come out in the fall. You can bet I will be waiting in line with the rest of them! John may have his Star Wars obsession, but nothing can beat my Harry Potter!