Jasonic's Favorites: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Hello and good evening, Internet!
I had previously reviewed only one of the Harry Potter films on my last blog, "Jasonic Reviews Favorite Movies", however it was only the Prisoner of Azkaban since that is my favorite film in the franchise. Seeing as this blog is about reviewing favorite character films, I figured I would start from the beginning of the franchise this time and get a more critical look at this series that helped shape my life as a teen and, as an adult, my love for literature.
Released in 2001, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (or Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Britain) started the film franchise soon after the success of the books starting in 1997 with the book of the same name. The books, after all, made J.K. Rowling a household name so it was only natural that a film company like Warner Bros. would want to capitalize on their success and purchase the film rights 2 years prior to the movie. While other astounded directors like Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner were considered to direct, Chris Columbus of Home Alone fame was ultimately chosen and his sentimental directing style shows throughout. One of the biggest distinctions that this film had as an adaptation of a British novel was J.K. Rowling's decision to limit the main casting to British and Irish actors -- fun fact for those who don't know, and while Americans did appear as extras, they weren't allowed to talk. This allowed the film to feel authentically British despite being directed by an American filmmaker and aided the franchise's success. It opened to massive box office and critical success at the time and is often looked fondly upon for propelling Harry Potter into many childhoods in my generation -- I, unfortunately, did not see it as a kid, but eventually came to enjoy it and the franchise as a teen. While some people understandably say it's no where near as a adult or even as good as the later film installments, I do believe it's still enjoyable even as an adult as it allows Potterheads like myself to appreciate the franchise's roots even more. That said, let's examine what about this movie works and see what wonders await in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!.
***SPOILERS AHEAD*** (although the film is over 20 years old and you've probably seen it and the other films any way)
In today's world, Harry Potter needeth no introduction. The film is about a young boy named Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who has a rough upbringing with his Uncle Vernon (Richard Griffiths) and Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) who are strict and abusive and forbid him from receiving letters to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It isn't until they escape the onslaught of letters that Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) barges in on Harry's 11th birthday and reveals that Harry is a wizard just like his deceased parents. Hagrid then reveals to Harry much of the hidden wizard world of Diagon Alley through which Harry gathers supplies for attending Hogwarts and learns of the fate that his parents suffered at the hands of Lord Voldemort (voiced by Ian Hart) when he (Harry) was just an infant. Realizing he's famous for essentially destroying Voldemort unintentionally the night his parents died, Harry is largely accepted at Hogwarts, making friends in particular with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), while also making rivals with Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). Harry, Ron, and Hermione among many others are sorted into Griffyndor House and Harry in particular finds a new home away from home, discovering many of his hidden wizard talents such as his natural ability to fly a broomstick and becomes a seeker for the wizard sport known as Quidditch. While getting involved in various activities around the school, Harry and his friends discover a sealed off section of the school as well as suspicious actions from their potions teacher, Severus Snape (Alan Rickman). What they discover ultimately leads them to investigate the mystery of the fabled Sorcerer's Stone, which they fear is about to fall into the wrong hands.
As a book-to-movie adaptation, this film is often lauded for its book accuracy compared to most later installments and for me it is by far one of the most faithful adaptations I've ever seen in my entire life. Certain details like the opening scene being from Mr. Dursley's point of view in the book are changed for the movie to show us the wizarding world side of things from the get go with the introduction of Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris), Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), and Hagrid dropping infant Harry off at the Dursley's doorstep. This, in my opinion, establishes the magical world right off the bat for the film and prevents it from feeling too ordinary by viewing it from the "Muggle" perspective first; other details from the book like Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling) having a friend, the character of Peaves the poltergeist, and the character of Charlie Weasley outside of a couple mentions are omitted for the sake of telling a more concise story. This, by no means, makes the film bad, though for diehard book fans, it can be odd to see certain details changed or altered around such as Ron serving detention in the Forbidden Forest unlike the novel in which it was Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) who tagged along with everyone. There was a period of time in which going back to this film after watching all the other films sort of made me lose interest about halfway through since tonally it felt more juvenile compared to the rest of them and it followed the book more closely compared to the other films. Nowadays, I appreciate it all the more for its tonal establishment of the Wizarding World, book accuracy, and all around magical and sentimental value it holds. Even watching it now made me get excited the way a child would experiencing the Wizarding World for the first time.
One of the biggest selling points of this film other than adapting a successful Scholastic novel is the special effects and animation. While the CGI animation looks understandably dated by today's standards in which you can tell it's a computer, it still gives off a vibrant magical vibe, particularly in scenes like when Hagrid opens the secret entrance to Diagon Alley and the bricks unfold. The broomstick riding scenes, especially the Quidditch game scene, are a wonderful combination of green screen effects and animation, showcasing the vibrancy and energy that a fun and innovative game like Quidditch should invoke. The animated creatures are particularly well rendered and animated with Fluffy the three-headed guard dog looking like a realistic dog despite the fictional concept and jumpy computer animation. Even the scene introducing the Quidditch balls and Harry seeing the Golden Snitch for the first time looks convincing with Harry darting his eyes around while the Snitch erratically flies around. Whether or not the animation or filming of that scene came first is a mystery to me, but certainly the actors interact well with the animated components of the film despite looking fake by today's standards. Even Voldemort's face on the back of Professor Quirrell's (Ian Hart) head is well-animated and arguably has the look of the character down better than Ralph Fiennes' design starting in Goblet of Fire. While practical effects are sparse, this film was the only time the candles hanging from the ceiling in the Hogwarts Great Hall were actually real and dangling from strings over the set. Due to wax melting among other factors, the candles were replaced with CGI in later films, which was an excellent choice economically. Overall, the SFX and CGI may not hold up incredibly well, but seeing what they could do for the time over twenty years ago has me pleasantly surprised and it invokes the charming and magical feel of the film exceptionally well.
The actors, of course, are the essence of what brings the stories to life and for the start of this franchise they do amazingly well. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson act surprisingly well as Harry, Ron, and Hermione respectively with Watson acting better and more convincingly studious than much of her later performances. In fact, pretty much all the child actors including Matthew Lewis as Neville and Tom Felton as Draco do well with what they're given when they could have easily come off as cheesy or cringe like most child actors in general. Many of the adult actors shine as well with Richard Griffiths and Fiona Shaw playing bad family members you love to hate for the way they mistreat Harry, their nephew, but spoil Dudley, their son -- Dudley's actor also acting very much like a hateable brat. The real highlights, however, are the professors and villains whom many remember the franchise fondly for. Actors like Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Alan Rickman as Snape (may they all RIP) each bring the proper essence to their characters. Coltrane portrays Hagrid as a half-giant teddy bear with his unwavering support for Harry and friends and avid interest in magical creatures like the cerberus, Fluffy, and baby dragon, Norbert; Richard Harris brings the proper fun calmness you'd expect from Dumbledore from the books and while his time in the role was short-lived due to his death after the following movie, he left a lasting impression; even Ian Hart who plays "poor, stuttering Professor Quirrell" portrays a proper meek professor whom nobody expects until his villainous reveal as the current host of Voldemort whom Hart also voices. The real highlight for this movie and arguably the rest of the franchise is Alan Rickman as Snape; he acts and looks the part as a shady, jealous red-herring who seems to hate Harry simply for existing and it's no wonder he exceled since J.K. Rowling actually told Rickman what his character's fate would be from the beginning -- if you know, you know.
Encompassing the entire film is the soundtrack by the amazing, unquestionably iconic composer of films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Home Alone, John Williams. Prior to this movie, nobody had a particular magical theme to associate with the world of the Harry Potter books, but the introduction of the Harry Potter theme song (oddly enough called "Hedwig's Theme") in the film has since become one of the most iconic theme songs in film of all time with those magical, extravagant, recognizable notes that anyone can hum whether they're in the mood for Harry Potter or not. Right off the bat, it establishes the greatness, magic, and tragedy of Harry Potter's story that begins right from the moment his parents were killed by Voldemort who gave him a lightning scar (couldn't resist referencing the YouTube classic "Harry Potter in 99 seconds"). The brilliance of the soundtrack doesn't stop at the theme song though; tracks like "Diagon Alley and the Gringotts Vault" do an excellent job of establishing the levity of the magical world following the brutality of Harry's upbringing. And the magic only increases with "Entry into the Great Hall and the Banquet" esatblishing the wonder of arriving at Hogwarts for the first time with its bright brass notes propelling us into the magical world. "The Quidditch Match" is perhaps one of the brightest, most extravagant songs in the franchise as it's also the theme that plays during the Level Clear screen of the game LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4, which I played often when it first came out. And if there's any song to encapsulate an intense chess match, it's "The Chess Game"; I've listened to it during a chess club my friend started and it was quite fitting especially at the building climax toward the end -- and, of course, when I hear that part, I can't help, but picture Ron on the giant knight statue waiting for the queen on the opposite side to take him. If there's anything John Williams and his iconic score has taught us it's to never take a film's soundtrack for granted.
There was a time where I only ever watched the Harry Potter films and while they were all great for what they were, reading the books since has allowed me to develop a newfound appreciation for even this first movie as an adult. For its heavy book accuracy, establishment of the Wizarding World, the way it introduces the story of Harry Potter, special effects and animations, actors, and awesome soundtrack, I find myself still enthralled with this movie and franchise from time to time. I'll more often than not go through the story in order whether by rewatching the movies, replaying the LEGO games, or maybe someday rereading the books because the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is perhaps one of the best, most iconic fictional universes of all time. It has been adored by many readers, paid tribute to repeatedly throughout the world, and allowed people, even adults, to play pretend like they're witches and wizards because of how imaginative the world and characters are. Even with any controversy surrounding the author in recent years, it is one of those franchises that has blessed the world in many ways and it reached a broader audience starting with this film. For that matter, I give this film an A- and recommend it to everyone, Potterhead or not.
Thank you all for reading and I will see you in the next review!
I had previously reviewed only one of the Harry Potter films on my last blog, "Jasonic Reviews Favorite Movies", however it was only the Prisoner of Azkaban since that is my favorite film in the franchise. Seeing as this blog is about reviewing favorite character films, I figured I would start from the beginning of the franchise this time and get a more critical look at this series that helped shape my life as a teen and, as an adult, my love for literature.
Released in 2001, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (or Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Britain) started the film franchise soon after the success of the books starting in 1997 with the book of the same name. The books, after all, made J.K. Rowling a household name so it was only natural that a film company like Warner Bros. would want to capitalize on their success and purchase the film rights 2 years prior to the movie. While other astounded directors like Steven Spielberg and Rob Reiner were considered to direct, Chris Columbus of Home Alone fame was ultimately chosen and his sentimental directing style shows throughout. One of the biggest distinctions that this film had as an adaptation of a British novel was J.K. Rowling's decision to limit the main casting to British and Irish actors -- fun fact for those who don't know, and while Americans did appear as extras, they weren't allowed to talk. This allowed the film to feel authentically British despite being directed by an American filmmaker and aided the franchise's success. It opened to massive box office and critical success at the time and is often looked fondly upon for propelling Harry Potter into many childhoods in my generation -- I, unfortunately, did not see it as a kid, but eventually came to enjoy it and the franchise as a teen. While some people understandably say it's no where near as a adult or even as good as the later film installments, I do believe it's still enjoyable even as an adult as it allows Potterheads like myself to appreciate the franchise's roots even more. That said, let's examine what about this movie works and see what wonders await in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!.
***SPOILERS AHEAD*** (although the film is over 20 years old and you've probably seen it and the other films any way)
In today's world, Harry Potter needeth no introduction. The film is about a young boy named Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who has a rough upbringing with his Uncle Vernon (Richard Griffiths) and Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) who are strict and abusive and forbid him from receiving letters to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It isn't until they escape the onslaught of letters that Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) barges in on Harry's 11th birthday and reveals that Harry is a wizard just like his deceased parents. Hagrid then reveals to Harry much of the hidden wizard world of Diagon Alley through which Harry gathers supplies for attending Hogwarts and learns of the fate that his parents suffered at the hands of Lord Voldemort (voiced by Ian Hart) when he (Harry) was just an infant. Realizing he's famous for essentially destroying Voldemort unintentionally the night his parents died, Harry is largely accepted at Hogwarts, making friends in particular with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), while also making rivals with Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). Harry, Ron, and Hermione among many others are sorted into Griffyndor House and Harry in particular finds a new home away from home, discovering many of his hidden wizard talents such as his natural ability to fly a broomstick and becomes a seeker for the wizard sport known as Quidditch. While getting involved in various activities around the school, Harry and his friends discover a sealed off section of the school as well as suspicious actions from their potions teacher, Severus Snape (Alan Rickman). What they discover ultimately leads them to investigate the mystery of the fabled Sorcerer's Stone, which they fear is about to fall into the wrong hands.
As a book-to-movie adaptation, this film is often lauded for its book accuracy compared to most later installments and for me it is by far one of the most faithful adaptations I've ever seen in my entire life. Certain details like the opening scene being from Mr. Dursley's point of view in the book are changed for the movie to show us the wizarding world side of things from the get go with the introduction of Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris), Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith), and Hagrid dropping infant Harry off at the Dursley's doorstep. This, in my opinion, establishes the magical world right off the bat for the film and prevents it from feeling too ordinary by viewing it from the "Muggle" perspective first; other details from the book like Dudley Dursley (Harry Melling) having a friend, the character of Peaves the poltergeist, and the character of Charlie Weasley outside of a couple mentions are omitted for the sake of telling a more concise story. This, by no means, makes the film bad, though for diehard book fans, it can be odd to see certain details changed or altered around such as Ron serving detention in the Forbidden Forest unlike the novel in which it was Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) who tagged along with everyone. There was a period of time in which going back to this film after watching all the other films sort of made me lose interest about halfway through since tonally it felt more juvenile compared to the rest of them and it followed the book more closely compared to the other films. Nowadays, I appreciate it all the more for its tonal establishment of the Wizarding World, book accuracy, and all around magical and sentimental value it holds. Even watching it now made me get excited the way a child would experiencing the Wizarding World for the first time.
One of the biggest selling points of this film other than adapting a successful Scholastic novel is the special effects and animation. While the CGI animation looks understandably dated by today's standards in which you can tell it's a computer, it still gives off a vibrant magical vibe, particularly in scenes like when Hagrid opens the secret entrance to Diagon Alley and the bricks unfold. The broomstick riding scenes, especially the Quidditch game scene, are a wonderful combination of green screen effects and animation, showcasing the vibrancy and energy that a fun and innovative game like Quidditch should invoke. The animated creatures are particularly well rendered and animated with Fluffy the three-headed guard dog looking like a realistic dog despite the fictional concept and jumpy computer animation. Even the scene introducing the Quidditch balls and Harry seeing the Golden Snitch for the first time looks convincing with Harry darting his eyes around while the Snitch erratically flies around. Whether or not the animation or filming of that scene came first is a mystery to me, but certainly the actors interact well with the animated components of the film despite looking fake by today's standards. Even Voldemort's face on the back of Professor Quirrell's (Ian Hart) head is well-animated and arguably has the look of the character down better than Ralph Fiennes' design starting in Goblet of Fire. While practical effects are sparse, this film was the only time the candles hanging from the ceiling in the Hogwarts Great Hall were actually real and dangling from strings over the set. Due to wax melting among other factors, the candles were replaced with CGI in later films, which was an excellent choice economically. Overall, the SFX and CGI may not hold up incredibly well, but seeing what they could do for the time over twenty years ago has me pleasantly surprised and it invokes the charming and magical feel of the film exceptionally well.
The actors, of course, are the essence of what brings the stories to life and for the start of this franchise they do amazingly well. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson act surprisingly well as Harry, Ron, and Hermione respectively with Watson acting better and more convincingly studious than much of her later performances. In fact, pretty much all the child actors including Matthew Lewis as Neville and Tom Felton as Draco do well with what they're given when they could have easily come off as cheesy or cringe like most child actors in general. Many of the adult actors shine as well with Richard Griffiths and Fiona Shaw playing bad family members you love to hate for the way they mistreat Harry, their nephew, but spoil Dudley, their son -- Dudley's actor also acting very much like a hateable brat. The real highlights, however, are the professors and villains whom many remember the franchise fondly for. Actors like Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Alan Rickman as Snape (may they all RIP) each bring the proper essence to their characters. Coltrane portrays Hagrid as a half-giant teddy bear with his unwavering support for Harry and friends and avid interest in magical creatures like the cerberus, Fluffy, and baby dragon, Norbert; Richard Harris brings the proper fun calmness you'd expect from Dumbledore from the books and while his time in the role was short-lived due to his death after the following movie, he left a lasting impression; even Ian Hart who plays "poor, stuttering Professor Quirrell" portrays a proper meek professor whom nobody expects until his villainous reveal as the current host of Voldemort whom Hart also voices. The real highlight for this movie and arguably the rest of the franchise is Alan Rickman as Snape; he acts and looks the part as a shady, jealous red-herring who seems to hate Harry simply for existing and it's no wonder he exceled since J.K. Rowling actually told Rickman what his character's fate would be from the beginning -- if you know, you know.
Encompassing the entire film is the soundtrack by the amazing, unquestionably iconic composer of films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Home Alone, John Williams. Prior to this movie, nobody had a particular magical theme to associate with the world of the Harry Potter books, but the introduction of the Harry Potter theme song (oddly enough called "Hedwig's Theme") in the film has since become one of the most iconic theme songs in film of all time with those magical, extravagant, recognizable notes that anyone can hum whether they're in the mood for Harry Potter or not. Right off the bat, it establishes the greatness, magic, and tragedy of Harry Potter's story that begins right from the moment his parents were killed by Voldemort who gave him a lightning scar (couldn't resist referencing the YouTube classic "Harry Potter in 99 seconds"). The brilliance of the soundtrack doesn't stop at the theme song though; tracks like "Diagon Alley and the Gringotts Vault" do an excellent job of establishing the levity of the magical world following the brutality of Harry's upbringing. And the magic only increases with "Entry into the Great Hall and the Banquet" esatblishing the wonder of arriving at Hogwarts for the first time with its bright brass notes propelling us into the magical world. "The Quidditch Match" is perhaps one of the brightest, most extravagant songs in the franchise as it's also the theme that plays during the Level Clear screen of the game LEGO Harry Potter Years 1-4, which I played often when it first came out. And if there's any song to encapsulate an intense chess match, it's "The Chess Game"; I've listened to it during a chess club my friend started and it was quite fitting especially at the building climax toward the end -- and, of course, when I hear that part, I can't help, but picture Ron on the giant knight statue waiting for the queen on the opposite side to take him. If there's anything John Williams and his iconic score has taught us it's to never take a film's soundtrack for granted.
There was a time where I only ever watched the Harry Potter films and while they were all great for what they were, reading the books since has allowed me to develop a newfound appreciation for even this first movie as an adult. For its heavy book accuracy, establishment of the Wizarding World, the way it introduces the story of Harry Potter, special effects and animations, actors, and awesome soundtrack, I find myself still enthralled with this movie and franchise from time to time. I'll more often than not go through the story in order whether by rewatching the movies, replaying the LEGO games, or maybe someday rereading the books because the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is perhaps one of the best, most iconic fictional universes of all time. It has been adored by many readers, paid tribute to repeatedly throughout the world, and allowed people, even adults, to play pretend like they're witches and wizards because of how imaginative the world and characters are. Even with any controversy surrounding the author in recent years, it is one of those franchises that has blessed the world in many ways and it reached a broader audience starting with this film. For that matter, I give this film an A- and recommend it to everyone, Potterhead or not.
Thank you all for reading and I will see you in the next review!
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