Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
What a rush! With this movie I forgive Chris Columbus entirely for Home Alone.
I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone last year, then I read the sequel
and the next book and finally the fourth book. I admit it, I'm a big fan of Harry
Potter. When I heard that they were going to make a film of the first book I was
a bit nervous. How could they? Would they botch it up, or could they even come close? They
surpassed themselves. It's a legend that JK Rowling even turned down Steven Spielberg
as director because he wanted to combine the first two books. Thank heavens she
did!
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is one of those rare things. A movie that
comes very close to the book, and in some parts, even improves on it. Before I saw
this film I had no idea really what a Quidditch game was like. Now I do. The actors
are a who's who of British cinema, Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), Robbie Coltrane(Hagrid),
Maggie Smith(Professor McGonagall), John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), and Richard
Harris(Dumbledore). These people can act! It's a bit catty to say this, but if
there had been an American cast, it wouldn't have worked as well. I was a tad disappointed
that Alan Rickman didn't have a lot to do in this film, but hopefully in the next
one his part will grow. And the children, Harry, Hermoine and Ron are perfect. These are genuine children, not little movie stars.
The story? Well, if you haven't read the book, go do it. NOW! Harry Potter is left
on the doorstep of his Aunt and Uncle as an infant. He grows up not knowing who
or what he is. What he is is a wizard. When he turns 11 he is invited to Hogwarts
School for Wizards and there he learns of his past and meets his friends Ron and Hermione.
They have all sorts of adventures together. Along the way Harry learns how to play
the game of Quidditch and some magic too.
There is a villain, but I can't really speak of him because that would be giving away
too much.
Is this a film to see? Definitely. I give it a whopping ***** five out of five stars.
A little gem. See it with an older child, or better yet, with a friend who has
read the book so you can discuss it afterwards. You will want to!
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