Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and based off of the book by J.K. Rowling. The film stars an ensemble cast of actors and actresses: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, and Warwick Davis to name just a few. The movie revolves around a young boy named Harry who discovers that he is a wizard and goes to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am a big fan of the Harry Potter series of books and movies. I've loved them ever since I was in my youth and maybe my most vivid memory was seeing Sorcerer's Stone as a drive in movie when I was eight years old. I loved the movie so much. It was intriguing, the characters were interesting, the story was awesome. All that mixed with the magical and quite innocent tone of Columbus's movie made it such a great experience for me. I've never stopped loving the Harry Potter series and this is the first time that I've not only reviewed a Harry Potter movie on Media World, but have watched one with a critical eye. We don't have to hold our breaths on this review because Sorcerer's Stone was actually pretty satisfying even all these many years later. The magical tone and the innocence is all still there. This is a wonderfully acted movie (with not one bad performance) and Daniel Radcliffe is Harry Potter. He molds into the character. As does Albus Dumbledore (Harris) and Hagrid (Coltrane). The translation of these characters from how they are described in the book to how they appear in the flick is remarkable. The innocence and that constant idea and theme of loss of innocence are what really drive Sorcerer's Stone and satisfy me the most as a viewer. The movie puts you right in Harry's perspective and we feel as if we are discovering the world of magic alongside him and that by far is the strongest aspect of the first Harry Potter movie. The idea of discovery and exploring the past and what is unknown is really interesting as we watch the film. This is an entertaining, visually impressive movie that really makes you care about characters (who almost always have a caring disposition on camera) and are an enjoyable watch. The issues with Sorcerer's stem from the fact that there really isn't too much to analyze  as far as a film goes. I got into the world of cinema and analyzing films because I like to take apart a director, cinematography, or actors work and make meaning of it. The Sorcerer's Stone doesn't do that. There's not much to analyze in this movie as it is literally a direct adaption of the source material. Which is the reason why I found it difficult to break apart this movie and find a deeper sense behind Columbus's direction. The film also has a lot of exposition that is not necessary for the story. Characters say things that are shown visually and don't need to be spoken. An example of this is the scene where Harry almost swallows the golden snitch. He stands up and Hagrid yells "looks like he's going to be sick" which is already shown by Harry's clutching his stomach and looking as if he will belch. There are moments like that sprinkled throughout the movie where a person will say something that would be more powerful and have more meaning if it were displayed visually. Overall, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a good, fun, enjoyable film that really is effective as far as the overarching emotional journey goes, but does have flaws when it comes to not needed exposition and a lack of depth in some respects. Three stars