Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Chris Columbus

UK, USA

152 min, color, English

I am perhaps the only person who still has not read any of J. K. Rowling's books but who still went to see the film adaptation on the very first day it screened. Since I cannot comment on how faithful the film is to the book (I hear that it really is quite close), I shall content myself with observations about it in purely cinematic terms.

There's no doubt that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (HPSS) will be a delight for the kids, not the least judging by the laughing and clapping at the theater. It is the ultimate kid fantasy: a strange introverted and, as usually happens, tormented by step-parents, kid discovers that he is the child of powerful wizards and is a wizard himself. At his eleventh birthday, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is transported to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to begin his seven year studies.

Most of the film is taken up by the elaborate introduction to all the colorful characters, such as Harry himself, his caustic friend Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), their fiery overachiever friend Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and a trainload of memorable fantasy-world inhabitants such as the traditionally long-bearded and pointed-hat wearing Headmaster Dumbledore (Richard Harris), the delightfully dark and ominous Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), the strict but just martinet Deputy Headmistress McGonagall (Maggie Smith), the deliciously coachy Madame Hooch (Zoë Wanamaker), and the lovable giant Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane).

We are also treated to some breathtaking scenes during the Quidditch match (although the special effects were not that good) along with some genuinely creepy moments in the Dark Forest. The film-makers succeeded in bringing to life a complex alternate universe and thus created the set for the adventures that will doubtless follow.

The main adventure of this film is, of course, the quest for the sorcerer's (really, the philosopher's --- if I remember my alchemy right) stone. There's the requisite evil wizard who, for reasons unknown, has lost most of his powers (that's a glaring hole in the script: Voldemort goes from the ultimate villain who nearly kills baby Harry Potter and whom all other wizards fear to a shadowy figure in the woods without an explanation) and inhabits the Dark Forest drinking the blood of unicorns to stay alive. He, naturally, has an accomplice although not the one you'd think. The three intrepid friends foil the plot and Voldemort is back to his shadowy existence... for now.

For all its cinematic magic, HPSS remains a strictly-for-kids film (unlike the upcoming first installment of the Lord of the Rings) and it shows both in how certain sequences are filmed (e.g. the battle with the rogue troll) but also in the general lack of suspense (e.g. their trip through the Dark Forest). Every time any character gets in some trouble, you just know that it will get through just fine. This, of course, works fine for children but does not work as good for me.

I have already mentioned the special effects and, unfortunately, they are less than satisfying in many places, but especially in the broom-flying sequences, which are obviously fake. Of course, I am not the one to speak about the aerodynamics of broom flight, but they simply looked wrong.

The final gripe is John Williams' bombastic score (has he composed anything worthwhile since Star Wars?) that overwhelms the film in places. It's not that I did not like the music (although I can't say that I can remember a single tune) but rather that it seemed overdone.

The big BIG saving grace of the film are the actors, who are, without exception, wonderful. Daniel Radcliffe is absolutely convincing as the wonder-struck Harry Potter and his two sidekicks nearly steal the show with their constant banter. All three are lovable (and Daniel does look like one of my friends, Justin). I was also quite partial to Alan Rickman and Zoë Wanamaker, not to mention the Headmaster and the Deputy Headmistress. It goes without saying that Robbie Coltrane is one huggable giant.

So, despite my little pro forma quibbles, HPSS is an enchanting film and I will certainly see its sequels.

November 17, 2001