Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
Director: Chris Columbus

Rating: PG

Studio: Warner Bros.

Review Posted: 11.14.01

Spoilers: Minor

Rating: 4.5/5

By Jon Bjorling. | Read Review #2

Unless you've been living on a desert island for the past few years, the name Harry Potter should sound very familiar to you.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Philosopher's Stone in England) is the first in a series of books that chronicle the exploits of a young boy who is destined to become a great sorcerer. Each book takes place during one school term at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft. The first book brings young Harry out of the world of Muggles (non- magic users) and into the hidden world of the sorcerers.

The story is this:  Harry Potter has not had a happy childhood. He lives in a cupboard underneath the staircase of the home of his uncle's home. He is not a welcomed party in their household. His Aunt and Uncle treat him like a pest, while his spoiled and portly cousin does everything in his power to make Harry's life a living hell.

On top of all this, he was told long ago that his parents had died in a car wreck. Harry does what he can to stay out of the way and not make his relatives angrier than they already are. Soon, strange letters begin to appear, all addressed to Harry. The letters are an acceptance letter to Hogwarts, a school for wizards. Once at Hogwarts, Harry is faced with many difficult tasks, including finding out what secret lie under a heavily guarded trap door on the forbidden third floor.

I found that the books were extremely well written, and were very visual. Making a film version of these books seemed like a logical step. I found that I wasn't disappointed with the result.

The film holds true to the novel, which is both a good and bad thing. I'm glad they kept the film true to the book, but even with it's 2 and a half hour run time, the film felt rushed. I admit, there is a lot of information that has to be covered, but sometimes scenes felt incomplete. It bothered me, but I found it easy to deal with.

I was most impressed by the visuals. Everything looks exactly how I pictured it. I know that sounds trite, but it's true. Hogwarts, Diagon Ally, the Quiddich match, everything is exactly how I saw it in my mind. The CG is well done, with the exception of a few moments. One of these moments occurs when young Neville Longbottom takes an unexpected trip on a runaway broom, the CG human looks terrible. Another such human appears during the troll attack, when Harry jumps onto the rampaging troll's back.

The acting is strong, all the children are believable as wizards-in-training, especially Radcliffe, who seems born to play Harry. Rupert Grint's Ron acts and sounds almost exactly like I imagined. Emma Watson's Hermione is a little more stuck up than I had thought, but it fit, so I didn't pay it too much mind. Tom Felton's Draco Malfoy is a little cardboardy, but then again, that's how the character should be, an archetypal bad seed.

I do have one other complaint, the score isn't not remarkable in any way. It seems like John Williams recycled the themes of his other films and placed them in this one. It's not bad music, I just felt I've heard it all before.

All in all, great family fun. Some scenes may be a bit too much for younger children, but it's nothing that will give them nightmares. Hopefully Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (currently in production, and being directed by Columbus as well) will be just as good.

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