The first film in the Harry Potter series !! (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (DVD))

Member Name: Jcapulet

Product:	Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (DVD)
Date:	01/12/08 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots

Disadvantages: The films are never as detailed as the books, but that is quite common in most adaptations.

I love Harry Potter and have read the books over and over, I do love the films too, but as with many books ( especially with harry Potter books because they're so long and detailed ) you're never going to get an accurate and as fulfilling result and so they're sometimes quite different which allows for Harry Potter film fans who haven't the read the books, Harry Potter book fans who have enjoyed the books but not the films and those who love both. I love both, but my preference is always with the books, but that's not the fault of the producers because it's unrealistic to try and fit so much into one film !!
JKR does have some say in the films, usually in the form of advising the producer what is important and must be kept in etc ( more so before JKR finished writing the series ) and in this film she was so worried that the producers may go a little OTT and take liberties with the scene at Godric's Hollow, the night Lily and James Potter died and Harry survived, that she wrote and produced that flashback scene herself.
Daniel Radcliffe plays the selfless Harry himself ( who lives in the cupbaord under ths stairs ) and the film opens with the birthday of Dudley ( cousin of Harry, son of Vernon Dursely and son of Lily's sister Petunia Dursley. ) Here we find out just how spoilt and selfish Dudley is and is aghast at the thought of Harry joining them on their day out at the zoo as Mrs Figg the lady who usually looks after Harry has broken her leg. It is here at the zoo that Harry realises his talent for speaking parseltongue ( snake language ) and is severly punished for his part in setting the snake loose on Dudley. It's not long afterwards when a letter arrives for Harry, setting off a chain of events. The letter itself sends Mr and Mrs Dursely into a panic and uncle Vernon eventually packs up the family and leaves the house to avoid any more letters for Harry. This is when they end up staying in a hut, on a rock in the sea and receive a special visitor in the form of Rubeous Hagrid, ground keeper and keeper of keys at Hogwarts. Hagrid has come to personally deliver Harry's letter ( whilst being confronted with much hostility from Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia ) and this is where Harry learns of his wizarding blood and the history of his parents, before being invited to the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hogwarts.
The next day Hagrid introduces Harry into the world of magic by taking him to Diagon Alley for all manner of items that he needs for school, all paid for by the vast fortune left by his parents at Gringotts bank. This is where Harry learns that Gringott's bank holds more than just money and it is where people would store things for safe keeping, which is what Nicolas Flamel did. We learn that Nicolas Flamel, the maker of the Philosopher's stone stored it and Hagrid ( on instruction from Hogwart's headmaster Albus Dumbledore ) removes the stone from the vault and brings it back to Hogwart's for even more secure keeping. At the end of the day Hagrid leaves Harry and hands over all his train tickets etc that he will need to travel to Hogarts with, but Harry is still in the dark as to how he can reach the right platform ( platform 9 and 3/4 ) and asks for help from the Wealsey family. This is where Harry's life long friendship with the Weasleys begins and it's on the train itself when Harry meets other life long friend Hermione. Whilst Harry and Ron become friends very quickly, it takes the actions of an out of control troll to bring the trio together to form the strongest friendship at Hogwarts. All three are sorted into the Gryffindor house and soon prove their bravery and intelligence when things start to happen and Harry, Ron and Hermione learn of the Philosopher's Stone and the plan to steal it. Harry believes that Severus Snape ( the bullying potions professor who dislikes Harry from the beginning, mainly because he looks just like his father James, who was once a rival for Snape ) is working with Lord Voldemort ( the most evil wizard the magical world has seen for a hundred years, but who disappeared after failing to kill Harry as a child ) to steal the Philosopher's Stone in order to regain a body and be all powerful again. However, Harry eventually finds out that it's not Professor Snape at all ( after overcoing many spells and enchantments with Ron and Hermione that are protecting the stone ) and comes face to face with Voldemort and his accomplice in the end. Harry's life hangs in the balance when trying to keep the Philosopher's Stone from falling into the wrong hands, but his protective magic ( inherited from his Mother's sacrifice ) saves him.
During this time, Harry makes some other good friends in the likes of Hagrid, Neville, Seamus and Dean ( with whom he shares a dormitory with in the Gryffindor tower ) whilst making enemies of Slytherins in the form of Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. Harry also learns of his talent for flying and Quidditch in this film also ( which is inherited from his father's talent ) and most importantly, Bertie Botts every flavour beans really do come in every flavour !! This film also begins the reign of Gryffindor for house cup, breaking the run of the Slytherins and whilst Harry's & Cos antics loose their house some points, they soon make that up with their bravery and endurance in protecting the Philosopher's Stone.

I'd say it's suitable for any child 4-5 years and older, but I'd wait a little longer to read them the books.

Summary: The first Harry Potter fim that started the Harry Potter movie craze!Enjoyment for the whole family