Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone, Reviewed

Missy's Review, January, 2002

Overall Rating = 4 Hands
Rickmanista Rating= 15 Hands

To Start off with-Amazing. The movie itself was alright really, they left out quite abit but followed the book closely. I was very impressed with the great graphics in the Quidditch game,and the battle with the Troll. I've seen the movie 3 times in the theater, and I cannot wait for it to come out on video. Now to the juicy part-Professor Severus Snape. He is my favorite character out of everyone . . . not just in the movie but in the books as well. Alan Rickman did such a good job, I thought of him as being the real Snape! His acting was so beautiful, just looking at him gave off a dark feeling, and he really stood out more than any other character to me. The whole process about being mean and dark was portrayed perfectly. Alan was so good at being nasty and rude to the children, and when he made his first entrance I was enchanted. The whole billowing black cloak and outfit,holy moly!(*Drool*) I love every moment and thought he looked rather handsome in black, and I love his hair! Black hair goes well for him. His very voice in the movie,so stern and cold made you pay attention like you were acutually in his potions class. In the first book Snape was described as quite an ugly person . . . but of course Alan Rickman is far from that as we all know!^_^ I am greatly looking forward to the third movie since Snape is involved a lot more - and it's one of my favorite books out of the 4.

The only thing that made me angry about the film was - how they left out some parts in the book, that I thought to be good or important. Like for instance how could they just leave out Peeves and they didn't even go to Defense Against the Dark Arts class! I dont know how they could've left them out,really. I honestly only went to see the movie a 2nd and 3rd time because I wanted to see Alan again. Just wait until i own the video! Overall i give this movie 4 hands, it's really great except for the whole leaving parts out and stuff. Alan really nailed this one perfectly . . . and I cannot wait for the upcoming movies to come out so I can see him again! I wish I really went to Hogwarts . . . but then I wouldn't want to leave potions class! The director of the movie,and J.K Rowling really picked the real Snape here . . . there's no doubt about that! (P.S What really sucks is that they made the Snape doll in stores really ugly . . . It doesn't look like Rickman at all..BOOO!!!)

MG's Review, December, 2001

Overall Rating = 5 hands
Rickman Rating = 20 hands

I thought the Harry Potter movie was great I've seen it twice (good thing I have kids) when AR comes barging in through the door all black robes and nastiness was when the movie really got good. He had the best outfit, the best hair the best pissed off expressions, and of course that voice. I also liked the quidditch scene where he wears the long black scarf. In the books Prof. Snape is supposed to be ugly, something the genetically blessed Mr. Rickman could never ever be. but he nailed the nastiness. I look forward to the film of the third book, where Snape is involved a lot more. The only complaint I have about HP is not enough Snape. movie rating 5 hands Alan Rickman rating 20.

Josephine's Review, December, 2001

Overall Rating = 2 hands
Rickman Rating = 5 hands

Yes, hands down, Alan was wonderful. But, oh to have had Tim Burton or Terry Gilliam direct this film. I was quite disappointed -- Chris Columbus produced his usual direct-by-numbers performance, and, save for the few fleeting minutes of Snape, the rest of the film plodded along with the patina of a Disneyland ride. You can see it now, a walk thru the shopping district of Diagon Alley, Wands for $5.00, Harry Potter glasses for $10; then stand in line for the boats that turn into moving cars through the caverns of Hogwarts, with animatronic Fluffies and Trolls: Holograms of Voldemort; and finally a return to Diagon Alley, HP T-shirts for $20 and Sorting Hats $25.

Ironically, though the film was certainly true to the book, it exposed the flaws and derivatives in Rowling's work. From Tom Brown's Schooldays, Ripping Yarns, Star Wars, and so on . . . the screen resonated with scenes past and with construction gears visible. I have read the HP series, and find that the books gain interest, complexity, and depth as they progress, but seeing the work on screen, I miss the anarchic imagination that propelled a film like Time Bandits, where every corner turned led to a surprise of plot or performance. (As a cynical cinephile of middle age, I have to admit that my sense of deja-vu was not shared by my enthusiastic 8 year old son and his friend who accompanied me to the theater.) Harry's supposed heroism in the end seemed oddly muted -- mostly an observer and reactor throughout the story, Potter remained a more passive protagonist than expected and externally forced rather than internally driven to face down his demons, so to speak.

Mr. Radcliffe was capable in the role, but I longed for the expressiveness of North's young Elijah Wood. Rupert Grint (Weasley) was wonderful, a real find, and Tom Felton (Malfoy) shows great promise -- if he learns to underplay it a bit more. Emma Watson also did a good job. I wish they had cast John Hurt as Dumbledore -- though Richard Harris wasn't quite somnolent, he lacked the twinkle and warmth of Hurt as Ollivander. Maggie Smith and Julie Walters and the actors who played the Dursleys were top notch. John Cleese was a stitch but I blinked and I missed him. And Alan, well, Alan was the "Chocolate Mousse Royale" in a mostly vanilla production. His Snape was a more humorous and a kinder antagonist than I'd expected, and hinted at the potential of what could have been a historical role with a different director and more screen time.

My next door neighbor worked on the computer EFX crew for this film and had told me that most of the kids in the Quidditch match were synthetic actors. Sadly, that fact was not well hidden--I found the effects to be more visible and obvious than I'd expected. Voldemort's manifestation at the climax was strangely soulless--I had expected the villain's eyes to be captivating and, forgive me, mesmerizing. Instead, Voldemort literally and figuratively came across as synthetic. As did, in the end, the film itself. Unlike great films in the genre, or at least, artfully directed ones, HP and the SS's climax seemed flaccid and cold. Diagnosis--except for Alan, a failed operation with an artificial heart.

Rhea's Review, 16 November

I've just some from the theatre and tears are still streaming down my face. God, he is in it less than he was in "January Man" but he is so perfect I don't know how they could have thought of using anyone else for this role. I haven't seen him on screen since RHPoT. The movie is a wonder of old feeling buildings and real magic. How I wish there really was a Hogwarts!! The story is about courage and devotions to friends, not the evil of witchcraft. The only flaws I found in it were that the editing is very choppy at times due to time constraints. The costumes, the colours, the special effects are a visual onslaught. It’s the type of film you wish you had a theatre in you home to view this over and over again as large as life. The people behind me said of Snape, "This guy is just perfect for this role," and I agree. I feel Alan will go down in movie history as the ultimate Snape, just like Margaret Hamilton did as the perfect Wicked Witch of the West from the "Wizard of Oz". They could be mother and son!

I stood in line since 7am because I'd heard that tickets where sold out for weeks now and I was afraid I'd miss the premiere....but not to worry, at least here in Chattanooga, we are not as cyber-ticket-sale-savy as the rest of the country so if you show up at the theatre you'll probably get in. I thought I wouldn't get in until New Years!

The best Snape scene is of course the Potions class which he enters with a bang. Then the other best Snape scene I feel is when he confronts the kids about being inside on a nice day. The snideness just oozes out of him like hot molasses. Brilliant! How does this gentle man become the ultimate evil....it must be a great big gob of talent!! I can say no more!!!

Bryce's Review November 18

Overall rating: 4 hands
Rickmanista rating: 15 hands

The acting was wonderful. I was amazed at how well the children acted in it. You don't get to see many good child actors but they were all a pleasure to watch. And when I said all I even meant the kids that played Malfoy and Neville. Alan Rickman was great, super, wonderful! There isn't a strong enough word! He was at his best. Everything about him in that movie was wonderful.

The part of Snape (and really every part) wasn't as big as it was in the book. In fact some were hardly there at all. But AR countered beautifully with great acting. He managed to make a small role stand out more than any other actor would have. And it's amazing what that man can do with an eyebrow, or a look. This is why we all love him so much. Daniel Radcliffe could have been better. But it wasn't his fault at all. He doesn't do facial stuff real well. I think that if they had had more dialogue in the movie, for everyone, it would have been much better. But as I said before, the acting was still wonderful.

What can I say about the Quidditch. I LOVE QUIDDITCH! And I loved it in this movie. The Quidditch alone would have made me want to buy the movie. Even my mother loved it. And she didn't read the books. But there was only one Quidditch game in it and, well, I wanted more. The movie over all was good. There wasn't much of the classes. In fact, you only got to see the beginning of Transfiguration, the beginning of potions, and a little from a charms lesson. I guess they dropped Defense Against the Dark Arts this year. And everything else. Well they of course had the flying lesson, but that was it. And they put the Slytherin kids in with the Gryffindor's in every lesson! There also wasn't much in the way of plot, and character development. It seemed like an intro to all of the other movies. Like it was going to be one movie that was just split up into seven parts.

I'd give it four hands over all. But I give Alan Rickman 15 huge hands! Of course this is all out of five. Well this is my review. And I think I'm missing something. If I remember it I'll tell you all. 'Bye!

Leatha's Review November 20

When asked about a rating, Leatha replied, "Couldn't really see his hands, but when they did appear, they were wonderous....about 2 hands... need to create more potions for his dexterity to be highlighted."

Professor Snape is a delight as usual, with the infamous scowl and hair....(old teeth and strings, as we like to all 'em)....

Mr. Rickman was chilling...but yet as he exchanged eye contact with Harry, his concern shown through....(shades of Jamie....), lovely brown eyes still can tell the story with no words. The part was far too short...it is hoped the next film has more for this character to do....

What a triumph....keep up the good films.