Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Released 2001
Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Ian Hart, John Cleese
Directed by Chris Columbus

The movie opens in modern-day England, on the small rural lane of Pivet Drive, where 11-year old Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) dwells with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. Harry has lived with his mother's sister's family since shortly after birth, when his parents were murdered by the evil wizard Voldemort. Voldemort tried to kill the infant Harry as well, but failed, leaving the boy undamaged except for a scar on his forehead. Now, on his birthday, Harry is visited by the imposing Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), who has come to bring Harry to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he will study to fulfill his true calling as a wizard. After a trip with Hagrid to buy supplies (including a wand, a snowy owl, and a cauldron), Harry arrives at Hogwarts. There, he meets classmates who will become close friends, such as red-haired Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and bossy Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), and antagonists, such as the arrogant Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). For Harry, however, there's more to attending Hogwarts than studying, as he begins to suspect one of the teachers of being in league with a dark force lurking in the forest.

Summary by James Berardinelli

I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books, and I didn't know much about the story before I saw the movie. It didn't matter, though, because the movie is self-contained. I understand it's very faithful to the first book, and it must start at the beginning and go all the way to the end. That's rare for a film adaptation of a book, and it works well here. I have to say, though, I expected a lot more from the story. I know it's targeted for preteens and early teens, but it seemed to lack imagination. When I was a kid I read "The Chronicles of Narnia" series by C.S. Lewis, and those books were much more imaginative than the world of Harry Potter. Other than the game of Quidditch, J.K. Rowling simply recycles established magical elements. For example, what kinds of creatures do we meet? Wizards, witches, goblins, a troll, a centaur, a unicorn, etc. I didn't notice anything original. As for the movie, the special effects are ok but not spectacular. The best of the special effects is Robbie Coltrane as the giant. His size is consistent throughout the movie, and he never looks fake. He's also my favorite character. As for most of the other effects (like Fluffy), I wasn't impressed. The story itself opens with a "Star Wars" feeling. We're given a wizard that chose the dark side and was very powerful, etc... Later the kids sniff out a plot in the school, which is reminiscent of "Young Sherlock Holmes." Not much originality...

Also, I know the age group demands the characters to be heavy-handed with who's good and bad, but I thought it should have been toned down. As for the three child actors, they're likable and work well together, but they're weak in the emotional department. C'mon, has Hermione Granger really been in the bathroom crying all afternoon? She doesn't look like she's been crying for ten seconds.

Although I didn't love it, this is a good movie. My young'uns (5 and 7) and I enjoyed it, and that's the bottom line. I do hope the next one is better, though. --Bill Alward, January 27, 2002