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Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone 2001 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Chris Columbus
PG, 152 min. (some scary moments, mild language) |
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Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Ian Hart, John Cleese
Producer: David Heyman
Screenplay: Steve Kloves
Cinematography: John Seale
Distributor: Warner Brothers
Released: 11.16.01 (Wide) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
There's no question that Harry Potter mania has swept through America like a dust storm through a desert. It's unbelievable
success in book sales and merchandise made a movie production a no-brainer. Now, could the film possibly live up to the unfair high
expectations for it? In Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, most would agree that Harry has successfully built
a foundation for future films in the coming years. It's not a masterpiece, but it's a simple, enjoyable story that most kids
will love if they also like the books. In fact, that's probably the movie's biggest strength in that it adhers to the book almost
exclusively. Director Chris Columbus knew this was important, and wisely chose to use it as the basic screenplay, with Steve
Kloves' added notations to make the transition from book to screen a smooth one.
As anyone who is familiar with Harry Potter knows, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is an 11-year old boy living with his aunt and uncle who despise
him. He has been brought to this family after his parents were killed by an evil wizard named Voldemort, and he has a mark
on his forehead to show for it. On his birthday, Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) comes for him to begin his training as a wizard
in a secret world apart from the real world. Once he arrives at Hogwarts, he is teamed with friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)
and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) in the same school. Their professors are the wise old wizard Albus Dumbledore
(Richard Harris), Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Professor Quirrell (Ian Hart), Professor Flitwick (Warwick Davis),
and Professor Snape (Alan Rickman). Despite their busy schedule, the three friends soon discover many secrets of Hogwarts
and most importantly about a hidden stone that makes one immortal. Harry's enemy, Voldemort, has a scheme to obtain
the stone, and Harry is at the center of it.
The film is largely dependent on special effects wizardry, which are critical to maintain the story's credibility. It might have
been impossible a decade ago, but today anything that can be imagined can be brought to the screen. Such scenes
as the game of Quidditch, which is the film's highlight, a three-headed dog, a battle with a giant troll, and the final battle with
Voldemort are realized with precise filmmaking.
The choice of the main characters - Harry, Ron, and Hermoine - are wise ones. We don't know much about them, and that's
the best way to prevent misrepresenting the characters in the film. For better or worse, these actors will undoubtedly be always remembered as
these characters, regardless of whatever endeavors they embark upon in the future. The rest of the cast is also effective,
bringing the right amount of charisma to their characters without changing the images that most envisioned for them before the film.
One's enamorment with the film will likely be based upon preconceived ideas of the book, whether they be good or bad. There
are very likable characters and a simple story told with a flair for the dramatic that fastens the viewer securely in their seat.
I haven't met many who dislike the film or its transformation to the big screen, so obviously the film has to be viewed as
a success. However, I don't believe this film is a great film cinematically - it has some childish qualities to it that are not
as readily accepted by older audiences, and character development is sacrificed for more storytelling. It's a solid film for kids
and has some elements for all audiences to enjoy, but placing it on the level of some well-known Disney classics would be a stretch.
© 2001 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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