The critics are right, this movie is a classic in the mode of Wizard of Oz, and Star Wars. I've never read the books and enjoyed this film so much. My 5 year old was a bit scared, but not too badly. My 10 year old expert on Harry Potter thought it was the best film he'd ever seen, even better than the Seven Samauri and Crouching Tiger. Go see this film. It has all the wonderful elements of classic films.
Review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
