Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Movie Review

adventure , kids and family , fantasy

Directed By: Chris Columbus
In Theaters: Nov 16, 2001 Wide
Streaming: Dec 16, 2012
1492 Pictures , Heyday Films , Warner Brothers

It is no doubt, that Harry Potter is one of the biggest series of all time. J.K. Rowling, the
one who created of all this “Hogwarts fantasy” is such a genius writer. With her wild and
creative mind, she has build up a whole witchcraft-fantasy narrative that took a big place in my
heart, both the books and movies. But if I had to talk about the whole series, no, there’s way too
many things to be praised. So I’ll only talk about the first series, the one that started it all, Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Once upon a time, in the wild, vivid imagination of author J.K. Rowling, a character was
born: A boy. A young boy named Harry, who was destined to become one of the most beloved
characters to emerge from a work of fiction. And now, thanks to the magic of the cinema, Harry
and his companions eventually leap from the pages of the novel to the screen in the phenomenal
motion picture, `Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' directed by Chris Columbus. Harry
Potter is a boy, but not just any boy; because Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) just happens to be a
wizard. But, orphaned as a baby, Harry has been raised by his Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) and
Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths). It seems that Petunia didn't approve of her own
sister-- Harry's mother-- because she was a witch; nor of Harry's father because he, too, was a
wizard. When Harry turns eleven, however, the secret is out of the bag whena giant of a man
named Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) shows up at the Dursley's door to collect Harry and
take him off to `Hogwarts,' a school for wizards and witches and all who would perfect the gift
with which they were born: The gift of magic! And from the moment Harry boards the train
(from station platform nine-and-three-quarters) that will take him to his destiny, the magic is
alive-- for Harry, and for the audience, as well; and it's a journey you will never forget.

What a complex move, to even think to translate and transfer this passionately beloved work
from novel to the screen. Because for millions of people, Harry and his companions are so much
more than just characters in a book; these are characters for whom people have made a special
place in their hearts, which puts a great burden of trust upon the man who would attempt to bring
them to life. And Chris Columbus, turns out was the right man for the job. More than rising to
the occasion and with some magic of his own-- and a lot of help from the talented cast and
crew-- Columbus has delivered a film that is not only true to the story, but true to the very spirit
that makes Harry Potter so special. The special effects are absolutely beyond astounding, and
Columbus, with a keen eye for detail and without missing a beat, keeps it all on track and
moving right along at a pace and with a sense of timing that makes this an absorbing, thoroughly
entertaining and enjoyable experience from beginning to end. From the opening frame you get
the feeling that you're about to have a singular experience; and you're right. Because you've just
entered the world of Harry Potter. And it's magic.

That said, the film does run into a few conflicts with the book's story. The middle of the
movie has nowhere to go. It's like a false second act; almost nothing of major significance
occurs in this period of the film. The young characters wander from scene to scene with
nothing much to do and nothing much to say. We're left with a grand display of eye-popping
special effects.

"Harry Potter" certainly dazzles us with a solid beginning and an engaging final act,
however. We first meet a young wizard boy named Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe). Soon
after the film opens, the boy discovers he has magical powers. He's then thrust into an
enchanting world of sorcery, magic, and witchcraft. He's sent to a school for young wizard
children, where he meets new friends, learns about magic, and participates in fun
competitions. But someone at the school doesn't like Harry, as mysterious events begin to
occur. Harry soon finds himself in the middle of a diabolical scheme of revenge. Who is the
culprit and what do they want with Harry?

Yet, the film asks some involving questions. It doesn't give enough depth to the side
characters or subplots. The movie does conclude with a twist, but it doesn't encourage
another examination of the movie. It lacks a foundation altogether. The story spends so
much time foreshadowing the villain's identity, it is pointless for the story to abandon its
proceeding plot points and develop a new villain at the end. The book gets away with this;
but the movie does not. 

Nevertheless, this is still an outstanding movie to watch and definitely worth your time. A
remarkable achievement, this IS the magic of the movies. I rate this one 10/10.