The film is stunningly done - great for both fans of the books and newcomers to the Harry Potter world. Chris Columbus has done a fantastic job in bringing the books to life. From the chaotic Victorian sprawl that is Diagon Alley to the enchanted ceiling in the main banquet hall in Hogwarts, not a single thing was missed. The use of the special effects to capture the look and feel of the wizarding world.

The casting of the main child actors was very well done. Though inexperienced, the three main actors are very convincing in the main rolls of Harry, Ron and Hermione. It is like the characters have just jumped out of the book. They are joined by a veteran cast of great actors including Richard Harris as Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall and Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid.

Richard Harris does a stand out job of bringing Dumbledore to life. He really is the character from the book. A grandfatherly, elder wizard who takes Harry under his wing.

Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe ... Harry Potter
Rupert Grint ... Ron Weasley
Emma Watson ... Hermione Granger
Robbie Coltrane ... Rubeus Hagrid
Richard Harris ... Professor Albus Dumbledore
Maggie Smith ... Professor Minerva McGonagall
James Phelps ... Fred Weasley
Oliver Phelps ... George Weasley
Matthew Lewis ... Neville Longbottom
Tom Felton ... Draco Malfoy
Ian Hart ... Professor Quirinus Quirrell