Impressions

[Megan]

...let me simply add to the forray with my own comments.

To start, I found the Dursleys quite amusing in the Dursley-sort of
way.  Their scenes were cut shorter than they should have been to
establish Harry's misery, but for the time constraint, it wasn't
anything bad.  Harry as pitiful in Dudley's clothes was very nice, but
I really didn't like his acting when Hagrid tells him he's a wizard. 
That was quite weak.  The very first scene was also weak...didn't feel
it held the pizzaz that the book gave us.  It's supposed to grab us &
bring us into Harry's story, but it did not do that.  Voldemort was
very VERY poorly explained--if you hadn't read the books, you'd be
awfully confused as to WHY WHY WHY is everyone so afraid of him??

Diagon Alley is brill & Ollivander's is absolutely fabulous.  What is
everyone talking about the sign over The Leaky Cauldron?  It was blank
in the movie I saw...Quirrel wasn't all that hot (IMO), but he passed
for good enough.

I HATE Mrs. Weasley...she's all wrong.  Everything up until Hermione
is well played.  Ron's poverty is a bit brushed off, but that's okay
in this movie.  Rupert Grint is the MOST MARVELOUS actor (of the
children) in this film!  He IS Ron!  Dan's acting is a bit slim in
spots, as is Emma's, but Rupert's never fails.  He's got Ron's role
down to a T, I'm really really excited to see him in future spots.

The Sorting Ceremony leaves something to be desired.  Didn't like the
hat.  Weasley weren't properly introduced.  Percy was well played in
his dimished capacity.  The pictures on the wall were nice touches. 
At the end of the day when Harry is looking out the window while
everyone's sleeping is GREAT.  It's an awesome touch.  *bows to Chris*

Classes are good.  Love Snape in Potions--never established he's Head
of Slytherin--never explains WHY he's fond of Draco!  Bad touch there.
 *memory fading fast* Ummm...The flying lesson was, erm, okay.  I
didn't really like it how they didn't establish Malfoy as a good flyer
before he took off & they never really had that shocked of
"Ohmigoodness, Harry can really fly!"  My mom disagrees about this. 
Missed the though process as Harry was going up with McGonagall to see
Wood.  Didn't look like he was scared for his life as he ought to have
been.  OLIVER WOOD IS AN ABSOLUTE HOTTIE!  Watch out girls for this
Scottish chap!

Didn't like how Hermione knew all about James, but Ron's line stuck in
there about it WAS funny.  Of course, Seeker all wrong.  Oh well. 
Wood's explanation of Quidditch was feeble, but WE all knew, didn't
we, :-D?

The arrival of the broom.  "What could it be?"  Well, DUH!  That was
dumb.  Quidditch was good good good, though obviously fake.  I forgive
of course because it was...well, QUIDDITCH!  Again, Snape as
villian..hmmm, more thoughts later.

Okay, this is getting long, so onto things that bothered me. 
Invisibility Cloak was AWESOME AWESOME!  Flamel story was weird...it
seemed to jump to me.  The Mirror was BLOODY BRILLIANT (hehe).  I
didn't really like it in the book, but now I'm a fan.  Harris as
Dumbldore was eh...oh well.

Centaur completely sucked, but everyone's said this.  Malfoy's scream
made ME laugh with glee.  The snot.  Tom was great at Malfoy.

Wish the had left Devil's Snare as the fire, witch, wood thing. 
Wizard's Chess was brill--again Rupert as Ron couldn't have been more
perfect.  Did anyone notice he TWITCHED after he "passed out".  Silly
Columbus should have shot that scene again!  There was also something
WEIRD with the cameras when HHR were confronting Hagrid about Fluffy
towards the end.  Detracted from scene.

The ending was good (with Quirrel) /I/ liked the change.  Voldemort's
image left something to be desired again, but that's something that
was EXTREMELY hard to do.

Dumbledore should have explained Snape.  VERY confusing if you hadn't
read the book.  Definite mistake of Kloves'.  Hated how H&R were just
"waiting" on the stairs when Harry got out of the hospital wing! 
Loved how the movie ended...perfect Harry material.

Overall...you bet I'm going to see it again!

*takes a deep breath*

-Megan (who knows she's forgotten half of what she set out to say)