Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
I distinctly remember how big a deal the Harry Potter films were when they came out but the years have made me think of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Or Sorcerer's Stone depending on your region) as my least favorite of the franchise. Watching it with an 11-year-old has renewed my enthusiasm for the film. It's a lot of setup but this introduction to a world of magic and wonder is destined to endure.
Orphaned Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has been raised by his cruel aunt and uncle (Fiona Shaw and Richard Griffiths) and is constantly bullied by his spoiled cousin Dudley (Harry Melling). When Harry receives a letter inviting him to join the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he learns he belongs to a hidden world of spells and incantations that welcomes him. Aided by the gentle giant Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), the boy learns all about potion-making, wand-waving, ghosts, enchantments, and makes some friends-for-life (Rupert Grint and Emma Watson). As the school year progresses, the students learn of a sinister force who aims to steal a valuable treasure hidden inside Hogwarts Castle.
While the story uses familiar elements, like magic wands and flying broomsticks, Harry Potter introduces us to a rich world full of enchanting characters, locations, and concepts. Thankfully, Harry is on the same page as we are. This means the exposition is delivered in an organic matter but there's so much to learn it can feel as though the plot is sitting on the side, waiting for us to get ready before it can actually get going.
It's not such a bad thing, however. Every saga has humble beginnings. You won’t mind the time taken to learn everything. From beginning to end, you're reminded of The Neverending Story and similar childhood favorites. All of the colorful creatures, the lively characters, and mythology form a world that stretches as far as ours. You see Harry and Hagrid walking up to the Wizard's bank in Diagon Alley. Your mind swarms with questions. Why are the pillars so crooked? Are the vaults so packed with valuable artifacts they've upset the foundation? Has the structure been twisted by break-in attempts and strange defenses to thwart them? Maybe the architecture's this way to accommodate the wide array of creatures and characters who routinely walk through those doors. Perhaps wizards just don’t need to worry about structural integrity when a series of powerful, long-lasting sorceries will ensure he building stays upright no matter what. The art direction, the costumes, the set design fascinate your inner child. It only gets better once the titular Philosopher's Stone gets involved.
Inside all of these eye-popping locales, we meet likable, memorable characters. Some are drawn with broad strokes but here, it works. The Dursleys adopt Harry and proceed to treat him as a burden. It invokes the books that delighted me as child: James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. When someone's bad, you instantly hate them. When they're good, you wish you could sit through any class with them at your side. Within Harry's close circle of friends, we find three-dimensional people with faults and dreams all their own. No matter how old or young, you connect with them.
Before you get too excited, know the child performances are fair but not terrific. They benefit greatly from the veterans who surround them. Director Chris Columbus directs everyone well but it's often a workmanlike adaptation. The words from J.K. Rowling's novel are not often played with or creatively interpreted compared to the later films. It's a humble beginning to a series that's sure to become essential viewing and a favorite for generations to come. For the world it opens up and the joy it unleashes, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is a special movie. (On DVD, June 13, 2015)
