Reviews by:
RATE THIS MOVIE
6
5
4
3
Children's animation is just incredible. They're able to craft wonderful world, a world better than the one we live in. Fantasy has always been used as a way to escape from reality, especially when you're young, because it presents a world where beauty is everywhere and where the stakes are low and good and bad are clear. This movie has built its iconic role in history because it exploited the need of fantasy in a bleak world which was struck by 9/11. Harry Potter started like that, a story which gives us hopes and comfort. Everyone wanted to be part of his world.
PLOT
"An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world" or "A lovable tale of friendship and self discovery".
SCRIPT
It's a simple script which slowly introduces us to a magical word through the eyes of a kid with an obscure past. The movie deals with themes like friendship, loss, school and I think, the fame of child actors. The characters doesn't have a particularly interesting arch, especially Harry, who falls in the boring Chosen One trope. I think that the best character here is Hermione because he's the only one who grows a bit. The villain is pretty generic and has boring motivations. There're a lot of unanswered questions about the Wizarding world and it could be a bit weird to get some dynamics which are better explained in the book. Some situations seems pretty coincidental and I think that the Slytherin are unjustly discriminated because of just one character, which is a douchebag without a real reason. There's also to consider the fact that the Headmaster and the teachers seem to enjoy the fact the school isn't a safe place. Sure, it's intended to be like that but this is a bit unrealistic.
The villain, Voldemort, is pretty generic and doesn't have a real motiviation. He's just there to bother the people in the school and get his ass kicked by a kid.
I think that overall is a good script, even though it isn't the best ever adapted on the big screen.
Script: 6/10
ACTING
I'll be honest. The kids are cute but don't do a very good job, except Emma Watson, who does its best. I'm not saying that Harry has been miscasted but his acting seems fake. I can't say the same for the adults who deliver a good performance, especially Richard Harris and Alan RIckman. Without the adults this movie wouldn't be what it is because they carry it on their shoulders with ease and charisma. I think that Richard Harris is perfectly casted as Dumbledore because he brings a certain aura of wisdom, knowledge and righteousness to his character. It's a movie with two polarizing quality of acting but it works, as long as you consider the big picture.
Acting: 6/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
Not particularly remarkable. The light is mostly flat and particularly bright, because the movie wants to represent a fantasy and light hearted world. There're a few good shots but overall it isn't particularly impressive movie.
Photography: 6/10
EDITING
It isn't particularly interesting because it doesn't make something interesting with that. Sometimes the shots which follow the owls are beautiful but I don't think that's enough to say that it isn't mediocre. And I don't appreciate the slow motion here because it's without any kind of purpose and it's boring to look at. It isn't bad but it's trite and unimaginative.
Editing: 6/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
This movie has two sides: a bad cgi, which doesn't hold up, and an impressing make-up. The cgi is dated but there're movies who has achieved more with less. Yes, it doesn't hurt the experience as the one present in other movies but it's highly noticeable. The make-up is outstanding and, in general, the practical effects are pretty remarkable. I'm pretty conflicted, because it's hard to give a vote here.
Special Effects: 7/10
SOUNDTRACK
Is one of the most iconic and it has been made by John Williams, who has worked on Star Wars. Here Williams defines what will be the main theme of the whole saga and the foundations for all the other composer which will handle the other movies. It gives goosebumps from the first note and it helps at building the tone and style of the movie, which feels like a fairy tale.
I think that you should've heard it at least one time in your life because it's haerd to miss.
Soundtrack: 9/10
COSTUMES
Kids costumes aren't particularly interesting because they are like british school uniforms or London's suburbs clothes. This isn't the same with the adults which are defined by their costumes and I would that these're original. I like a lot Dumbledore and Hagrid costume because define their wisdom and spartanity. A praise is directed particularly toward the whole movie for defining the Wizarding World clothing by taking inspiration from the medieval era.
Costumes: 7/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 6/10
Acting: 6/10
Photography: 6/10
Editing: 6/10
Special Effects: 7/10
Soundtrack: 9/10
Costumes: 7/10
AVERAGE: 6,71
It's a beautiful movie which takes a kid for a ride and it's enjoyable for an adult. It's a bit flawed but there're a lot of good ideas and it delivers one of the best adaptation of a fantasy book since The Lord of the Rings. It's a movie you need to see, because it determined an era and still resounds today in other movies.
Director: Chris Columbus
Screenplay: Steve Kloves
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Richard Harris, Ian Hart, John Hurt, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters
Soundtrack: John Williams
Cinematography: John Seale
Running Time: 152 minutes
Budget: $125 million
RATE THIS REVIEW
6
5
4
3
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone is great in some ways and messy in others. On the positive, it creates an ambitious, fantastical world. The settings, wardrobes, and props all carry ample weight in producing a magical atmosphere. Meanwhile, the iconic music sets an adventurous and mystical tone. Lastly, the casting is excellent. Most of the adults are extremely talented (namely Alan Rickman) and the children, despite their novice here, all became quite respected in their own rights. Together, this establishes a foundation for the franchise to build on.
On the other hand, The Sorcerer's Stone's most glaring flaw is its inconsistent acting. The children are decent for their age, but that is faint praise. Plus, they are center stage so their shortcomings are more noticeable. Next, the writing is cliché. Because the emotional beats are rushed, the plot corniness stands out and rings slightly hollow. Finally, while the special effects are elaborate and occasionally strong, there is plenty of CGI that aged poorly. Unfortunately, this holds that aspect back from being an outright strength. In the end, The Sorcerer's Stone is a very competent film that falls a bit short of its lofty notoriety.
Writing: 6/10
Direction: 6/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 5/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 9/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 7.0/10
For more of my work: https://guskeller.wixsite.com/moviefilmreviews
RATE THIS REVIEW
6
5
4
3
Comments