Star Tribune (November 16, 2001)
The three young stars appear to have been chosen largely for their physical similarities to the books' protagonists. Harry is played by Daniel Radcliffe, the only one of the trio with professional experience. He underplays the character. Rupert Grint struggles to figure out what direction to go with Ron. He's serious in one scene, silly in the next. more...

Entertainment Rewired (November 12, 2001)
Yes, I've read all of the reviews on the net, all filled with comparisons to the Pod Race sequence. Here's my "professional" opinion: The Pod Race scene had no real drive to it. We really didn't care if Anakin won. Quidditch, on the other hand, well, we just had to see Gryffindor kick Slytherin's butt. And kick it they did. more...

AICN: Harry Knowles (November 11, 2001)
At the awards banquet at the end of the film, there was the rather absurd bit of craziness about awarding the House Cup. Let's face it, at the end of this story Harry Potter has a personal treasure of gold, 2 best friends, a super broomstick, the adoration of the teachers, 1 on screen Quidditch win, a defeated troll, a cloak of invisibility and the vanquishing of his arch-enemy. It is ok if his Gryffindor team were to not win. more...

Debra and Leonie (November 11, 2001)
We loved the Quidditch, the wall side effect to enter Diagon Alley, Cat to McGonagall changes, Platform 93/4 stunts going through the wall. We loved Fluffy and Firenze. Hagrid's Motorbike ride was cool. We think Ron wasn't quite sharp and witty enough, Daniel did the best he could given that Harry is difficult to portray. more...

Hester (November 10, 2001)
It was a very emotional film for me, although it has it funny parts and all the time, I either had my mouth open with excitement or my eyes full of tears. The movie was amazing, there was nothing they could do to make it better, the acting was superb and all the little extras made it so unbelievably believable. more...

Hollydaze (November 10, 2001)
Rupert is a natural! He really is the best of the bunch, especially as they have given him a lot more of the funny lines due to the lack of his brothers the Weasley Twins (who we see maybe twice/three times in the whole film.) There did not appear to be anything forced about Rupert, his comic timing was excellent, his acting was brilliant, he basically IS RON!! more...

Rachel Darling (November 10, 2001)
The film was hysterically funny, riveting, dark and sad all at the same time, I never wanted it to end, and I'm going to see it again without a doubt. It's just such a relief that even die hard fans like myself loved the film for what it was and it is a must see, even my friend that hadn't enjoyed the book loved the film and can't wait to start reading Book 2 now. more...

Jenny Morgan (November 10, 2001)
Professor Snape, he really was EVIL. The way he swoops into the classroom and starts talking in a quiet sort of growl before he even reaches the front, make shim seem just like a terrifying wizard, the messy jet black greasy hair the long nose and the sallow skin perfects the appearance of the dreaded professor Snape. more...

Parselforce (November 9, 2001)
Most of the acting was great - Ron IS the film, he's brilliant - bloody brilliant - Hermione was pretty good too. Snape is fantastic, funny, hammy and deliciously evil. McGonagall was too old and failed to make much of an impression - I think the actress just thought that 'playing a witch' would be enough rather than this particular character. more...

The Mirror (November 5, 2001)
While ardent Harry Potter fans will bemoan the omission of some details which help to make the books so involving - there is no Sorting Hat Song, Peeves the ghost is missing and the opening chapters are severely curtailed - the film is a treat, visually and emotionally. more...

The Sun (November 5, 2001)
Some Harry Potter fans had feared the movie would fail to capture the magic of J.K. Rowling's best-selling books. They'll be delighted to find it sticks pretty faithfully to the original, although Peeves the Poltergeist - one of the funniest characters from the book - has been dropped. more...

The Independent (November 5, 2001)
Many set-pieces ­ the Quidditch match especially ­ are conducted with speed and extraordinary violence, as if aimed at the vital teenage multiplex audience. Some of the more terrifying moments made me jump out of my seat and would surely traumatise unsuspecting six and seven-year-olds. But there is much to enjoy in this headlong extravaganza. more...

Ain't It Cool News (November 5, 2001)
The standout performance from the child actors is Rupert Grint as Ron Weasely who is absolutely perfect. He is a natural, no doubt about that and really tries his best not to steal every scene he is in. The catchphrase this holiday season will no doubt be Rons 'BLOODY BRILLIANT' and of I could sum up Rupert's performance it would be that it was 'BLOODY BRILLIANT' more...

Cox News Service (November 2, 2001)
As for Harry himself, he's played by 12-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, soon to be a worldwide star of almost scary proportions. His Harry may be considered by some to be a bit wan and even wimpy, without the mischievous spirit the book-Harry has. (It's particularly noticeable when Emma Watson comes onscreen as Harry's bud Hermione; a complete newcomer to acting, she has a charisma that's almost magical.) more...

Entertainment Rewired (October 30, 2001)
I promise you, this is the BEST movie I have seen in years, better than Titanic, 50 times better than Star Wars Episode One or just Star Wars in general. This movie makes Star Wars look like a piece of ****, and I like Star Wars, but now I have a new love. more...

Ain't It Cool News (October 27, 2001)
I must say though, that it looks absolutely cool watching these kids fly around on their brooms. The game between Gryffindor and Slytherin i would dare say, ranks up there with the pod-race scene from Phantom Menace for the sheer adrenaline rush you get just from watching it. more...

Dark Horizons (October 26, 2001)
Everything was exactly as I pictured it. The set design is nothing short of breathtaking and the cinematography is beautiful. The Quidditch match sequence rivals the Pod Race from Episode I not only in visual effects, but for sheer exciting entertainment. It rocks!!!! more...