Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Movie
Well, I've seen the Harry Potter movie now... twice, actually. I saw it the night of the sixteenth with one awesome and dedicated fan and then again the next night with a terrific group of supercool people. So I'll go into my general opinions of the movie first, and then look at individual scenes and characters below. Enjoy!
General Opinions
First of all, I thought the movie was great. It was quite fun to see everything up there on the screen, in some form if not the exact one I'd imagined. And, for the most part, they did go along with the books quite well, especially as far as characters and set. Even most of the lines are straight from the book. There are a few specific scenes or characters that stood out for being especially excellent or particularly dissappointing, and I'll get to those later. the only overall issue with the whole movie was the fact that, obviously, they couldn't put the whole book, word for word and scene for scene, up on the screen. If the hd tried, it would be eight hours long and the kids would have aged three years through the filming. So they had to cut quite a bit. Forunately Chris Columbus did a remarkably good job of not cutting any crucial or especially beloved scenes (although he wasn't perfect... Rage against cutting Hermione's moment of glory! But more on that later) but what did end up being cut was a lot of exposition and development of plot and characters, so that, for instance, one day it's Halloween and the next thing you know it's snowing on Hogwarts and Hagrid's lugging in Christmas trees. Or you see Harry, Ron, and Hermione losing all those points for Gryfindor but you never get even a glimpse of how they were snubbed for that by the entire school. So it seemed a little choppy to me the first time, since I went in with the flow of the story pretty clear in my mind and found myself running through pages and pages of skipped material in my mind whenever they made a big jump. I've been told that people who have read the books but don't remember them vividly (they read them only once over a year ago kind of thing) don't really feel it, and I didn't notice it nearl as much the second time because I knew where they were going to go next.
Basically, the movie seems to me that it would be best received by avid fans as a kind of "Scenes from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" rather than a movie of the entire book. It' good for a movie, and cool to watch, but it's nowhere near as complex, fascinating, and overall magical as the books. For people who haven't read the book at all, the movie will probably seem to be a pretty good movie, but they might be perplexed by how the stories became quite such a big hit. I would DEFINITELY reccommend reading the books, preferably all four, before seeing the movie, for several reasons: (1) to allow yourself to make your own pictures of the people nd places first, if only as an excercise of the imagination, (2) to reassure yourself that the books are far more deep and developed and just plain supercool than the movie makes them appear, (3) because a lot of thing aren't explained in the movie and the books will make everything make more sense, (4) since the ending is the same, I'd say it's funner to be surprised and get caught up in the suspense of the book than the movie, and (5) I just think everyone should read the books.
One more big question: should avid Harry Potter fans see the movie? I would say yes, it's worthwhile, if only to see thing like the awesome design for the Gryffindor Common Room and Quidditch and such. But if you feel that your imagination is vivid enough fo you to experience such things just fine in your head, and you love your own perceptions so much that you don't want any of them replaced by Chris Columbus's, then it's certainly not spectacular enough to force yourself into. Bottom line, the movie is good because the books are excellent, and so it's a great movie, and much fun, but the book are still far better.
The Scenes
Most of the scenes were most excellent and delightfully true to the books. Thus there's not much to say about them, except bravo!, especially to such awesome scenes and effects as Quidditch and the Invisibility Cloak. What I want to discuss here, or warn any of you who haven't seen the movie yet about, are the few scenes where they inexplicably did something strange, or added something, and even a few key omissions. Obviously much was omitted, but these are the scenes that were most missed, by me at least. if you have any you'd like to add, or scenes you'd like my thoughts on, e-mail me.
The Dursleys' Reign~I figured I'd start at the beginning and move as chrnologically as I can. This is just a minor note, but it was unfortunate although understandable that a lot of good stuff with them was cut out.
Hermione's Revelation~ Here appeared the strangely out-of-place scene i heard about in an interview with Chris Columbus, the scene that held information from J. K. Rowling that had not appeared in the actual book but was exclusive to the movie, although, presumably, the information applies to the story unfolding in the written series. It was rather awkwardly stuck in, by a Hermione who seems to be unbossy and friendly well before the troll scene shakes her out of it a bit and they become friends. But it is interesting to contemplate, nonetheless, the implications that Harry's dad was a Seeker on the team when he was young. And I'll try to see who else was on the team next time I see the movie, and definitely when it's available on video. I thought i saw McGonagall's name, although she may have been on there as the head of Gryffindor, or maybe at that time she was the Quidditch coach, which might explain her enthusiasm for the sport. Or maybe she was a student when James potter was, and she was one of his teammates... I'm not sure how her age compares to his...
The Quidditch Match~ As I said, this scene was awesome. I just wish it had been longer, mostly. but the only thing I don't exactly understand is why they didn't include Lee Jordan's commentary and Professor McGonagall's attempt at censorship. It could have tied the scene together and it's a really funny part of the book... But that's, again, only a small matter.
Norbert's Cameo~ This scene was strangely condensed, so that they went to visit Hagrid, saw it hatch, were seen by Malfoy, and were caught by McGonagall all in one scene instead of three or four, skipping over their trip to the tower to get the baby dragon safely away. But it worked; it was just abrupt and not as smoothly flowing.
House Points Lost~ This was one of the omissions that really affected the depth of the movie, although not as deeply as the final few. It was simply strange to see them lose so many points in the Norbet excursion, and then you never saw the animosity they garnered from all the other students besides the Slytherins. It would have been nice to see a little bit of this, at least.
The Devil's Snare~ The outcome of this scene on the screen was he most puzzling yet, until the final unforgivable error. For no apparent reason, at the tail-end of a movie that had stayed as close as a movie can to a book, this scene diverged. Instead of Hermione knowing about Devil's Snare's need for damp, cool spaces, then losing her head and wishing they had some wood to start a fire, and then, when reminded that she is a witch, creating her characteristic little flame, which would have been a cool effect, Hermione announced that the only way to get the Snare to release you was to relax, and Ron didn't and go stuck for a while. It was simply bizarre, and I don't understand what possessed them at this point. Maybe they had run out their effects budget, and so they couldn't get the flame. Because otherwise I can't imagine why they would have made this choice.
Hermione's Moment~ This is the most shocking, disturbing, heinous omission of the movie. Once our three protagonists have gone through the trapdoor, we see the Devil's Snare (although oddly changed), the room of Winged Keys, and the Chess Room, in which Hermione's character goes down a notch from the one in the book when, instead of seeing Ron fall but staying in her square of her own volition and bravery, she has to be verbally restrained by Harry. We have skipped the troll, which is understandable because it isn't too important. But then, THEN, we go straight to the mirror. Does anyone sense the problem? What on earth happened to Hermione's big scene, her contribution to the victory over Voldemort, her ability to apply logic which sets her apart from many greater wizards? I am understandably shocked and saddened by the egregious omission, and I feel that there is no possible excuse for it. In my opinion, it measurably lowered the quality of the movie.
So That's all for now as far as the scenes. On to...
The Characters
rating guide:
* Well, he/she was cast...
** Vaguely recognizable as the character, mostly through costume
*** Actually may have deserved to be cast in the movie
**** Embodied the character and pleased me sufficiently
***** Hermione
Harry Potter~ (played by Daniel Radcliffe) Rating: ****
He was quite good. I wouldn't say he exactly embodied everything I pictured in Harry, but he was certainly the best choice. The main problem was that he's so well-developed in the book, and there was just no time to see in him all the things we see in the book. So much of it goes on inside Harry's head, and those kinds of scenes are the kinds that got cut. But he did a great job, and he definitely did his part to carry the movie.
Hermione Granger~ (played by Emma Watson) Rating:*****
Awesome. She was entirely perfect for the role, and, I daresay, perhaps as suited to the part as I would have been had I been born five years later across the pond. I loved her hair, although some people thought it should have been curly, but I thought it nicely bushy. She was nice and snotty, but fun. She seems a bit prissy as an actress in interviews, but I have no problems with her characterization. Bravo!
Ron Weasley~ (played by Rupert Grint) Rating:**** 1/2
I would say he was one of my favorites. Really funny, and simply the embodiment of Ron, even off-camera. He's just a very funny guy, and his delivery was great. Overall, the three went together very well.
Dumbledore~ (played by Richard Harris) Rating:**
Tut tut tut. Sigh. I was quite dissappointed by their choice of Dumbledore. The actor is a mean old man who described the role as "just another job." Now, the man who embodies much of the wisdom and underlying message of the book, I think they should have got someone a bit more enthralled with the role, or at least aware of its importance. For me, the first thing I think of when I picutre Dumbledore is the sparkle in his eyes, and Harris had not a hint of a sparkle except, perhaps, in the scene in the Hospital Wing. He said he didn't read the books, which shows, and while that might be acceptable in some movies which stray so far from the book they are based upon as to be utterly unrecognizable, in a movie where the main goal is to remain perfectly true to the books then one of the pivotal characters ignoring almost two thousand pages of intense character development is just poor technique. He gets two stars instead of the black hole I would like to give him because at least he looked the part if you ignored the bleary, red-rimmed, bored, unsparkling eyes...
Hagrid~ (played by Robbie Coltrane) Rating:****
He was quite good. His accent was dead on to how I imagined it, although he seemed to be the only one who occassionally slipped as far as consistency of voice. I loved how huge they made him look, and he was basically perfectly jovial and Hagridish. Well done!
Snape~ (played by Alan Rickman) Rating:****
I thought Snape was great. Some commented he was a bit bland, or more like an actor trying to be scary than someone really scary, but I thought his interpretation of the role was wonderful. He was just so... cold. One can see how he was kind of an outcast, and he always seemed to be against Harry, and yet he isn't as truly evil as they thought. Very nice, I thought.
McGonagall~ (played by Dame Maggie Smith) Rating:****
She was just as I saw McGonagall. An exact combination of sternness and amusement, especially with the whole Rememberall incident and the part where Ron and Harry enter late. And I love the running cat to witch transition. Bloody Brilliant!
Neville Longbottom~ (played by Matt Lewis) Rating:****
He was a cutey, and very good as well. He had Neville dead-on, especially in his big scene where he stands up to the trio on their way out.
Draco Malfoy~ (played by Tom Felton) Rating:****
Very good. Perhaps a little too cute looking for such a meany, but then that's why he has Crabbe and Goyle. And his sneer was very aggravating... just as it should have been.
Madame Hooch~ (played by Zoe Wanamaker) Rating:****
She was very cool. The eyes were a nice touch. She's not how I pictured her, but she's perhaps better. More character, and very Quidditch-ish.
The Dursleys~ (played by Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, and Harry Melling) Rating:****
These guys were good. The scenes with them didn't end up being quite so comical as they were in the books, but that is, perhaps, because they are such charicatures that no real human could pull them off without being far too over-the-top. But they looked just right. Petunia wasn't how I pictured her, but she worked.
Fred and George~ (played by James and Oliver Phelps, respectively) Rating:****
They were awesome! Just perfect. Unfortunately, they didn't have the hugest roles, but what they did have they performed without flaw. They WERE the twins. Yay!
Oliver Wood~ (played by Sean Biggerstaff) Rating:****
Not only was he the cutest boy on-screen, and had the sweetest accent, but he was perfect for the role of Oliver. He was very captain-y and seemed to be a real Quidditch afficionado. His fall was painful to watch; you wanted to cry. I would love to be in the movie for the sole priviledge of meeting him, but Lisl would slaughter me, or maybe pour melted cheese and chocolate all over me, which she has been known to do...
Percy Weasley~ (played by ) Rating:****
He was very good in the brief moments we saw him. The ideal prefect. Just great!
Ginny and Mrs. Weasley~ (played by Bonnie Wright and Julie Walters, respectively) Rating:****
They were both just perfect. I know this is becoming a refrain, but pretty much everyone (with the glaring exception of Dumbledore, and, as you shall see, the Bloody Baron) was. Mrs. Weasley was a great but harried mother, and Ginny's one line was so sweet. I can't wait to see how she grows up.
Nearly-Headless Nick, the Bloody Baron, the Grey Lady, the Fat Friar~ (played by John Cleese, ?, Nina Young, and Simon Fisher-Becker) Rating:**** for all but the Bloody Baron, who gets * 1/2
Well, Nearly-Headless Nick was wonderful, just the right amount of good-naturedness and a miffed attitude about the whole irreverence of his nickname and such. The Fat Friar was cool from what you saw of him. The Grey Lady was silent but just mysterious enough. I think I liked her the best as far as ghosts living up to my expectations. But the Bloody Baron was another what were they thinking? Did someone miss all the parts where the Bloody Baron is this silent, imposing, gaunt figure who scares even Peeves and Malfoy? He swoops in chuckling! Honestly. I don't know how that happened...
Seamus Finnigan~ (played by Devon Murray) Rating:****
He was a cutey. I don't remember his part being so large in respect to everyone else's, but he was certainly funny. Couldn't tell him and Neville apart at times, though.
The cast as we know it so far:
(in alphabetical order by character)
Katie Bell~Emily Dale
Lavendar Brown~Kathleen Caudley
Vincent Crabbe~Jamie Waylett
Professor Dumbledore~Richard Harris
Dudley Dursley~Harry Melling
Petunia Dursley~Fiona Shaw
Vernon Dursley~Richard Griffiths
Fat Friar~Simon Fisher-Becker
Fat Lady~Elizabeth Spriggs
Argus Filch~David Bradley
Seamus Finnigan~Devon Murray
Professor Flitwick~Warwick Davis
Gregory Goyle~Joshua Herdman
Hermione Granger~Emma Watson
Grey Lady~Nina Young
Griphook~Verne Troyer
Hagrid~Robbie Coltrane
Terence Higgs~Will Theakston
Madame Hooch~Zoe Wanamaker
Lee Jordan~Luke Youngblood
Neville Longbottom~Matt Lewis
Draco Malfoy~Tom Felton
Professor McGonagall~Dame Maggie Smith
Nearly Headless Nick~John Cleese
Ollivander~John Hurt
Peeves~Rick Mayall
Harry Potter~Daniel Radcliffe
Adrian Pucey~Scott Fearn
Professor Quirrel~Ian Hart
Professor Snape~Alan Rickman
Sorting Hat~Leslie Phillips
Dean Thomas~Alfie Enoch
Voldemort~Richard Bremmer
Fred Weasley~James Phelps
George Weasley~Oliver Phelps
Ginny Weasley~Bonnie Wright
Molly Weasley~Julie Walters
Percy Weasley~Chris Lankin
Ron Weasley~Rupert Grint
Oliver Wood~Sean Biggerstaff
To view a collage I made for art class of characters from the movie, click here.
For the address for the casting director for the third movie, click here.
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