There is a certain magic drawn from the mind and spirit of the young.  The look in a child’s eyes, the view of the innocent possibilities of the world, and the playful path which is taken to adulthood is something enjoyed by the young, and envied by the older, who desire to be young at heart once again.  Chris Columbus’s long awaited transference of the mega popular Harry Potter book(s) is a magical (a word I will use again) journey through another world, and a time lost but sought to be regained.  Many had ideas and visions of how the film should look (as most who read books will do) and few will be disappointed at the results.  The near perfect combination of faithfulness, effects, music, casting and sheer Hollywood magic make this film that hearkens, justifiably so, comparisons to Willy Wonka, Star Wars and Mary Poppins, if for no other reason, than it gives a new generation of kids a new movie to rally around, while giving adults a movie to recapture our youth with.  Such universal appeal is rare, but magical, and captured to perfection by Columbus and company, using Rowling's story.

Okay, for those who have read the book, skim this part, for those who haven't, here is a crash course in Harry Potter 101.  As an infant, young Mr Potter lost his parents to an evil wizard (known as Voldemort, You-Know-Who, or He-Who's-Name-We-Dare-Not-Say) Since Harry survived, with only a lightning shaped scar to show, he is considered a deity amongst the denizens of the magical world.  Unfortunately, he is not deemed ready to receive training for his destiny until his 12th birthday, hence he must live amongst the commoners (or Muggles, as they are lovingly referred) until then.  He lives with the Dursley's, his closest relatives, who treat him like an outcast.  Finally, the day comes where Potter is brought to Hogwarts, an academy for young wizards, where he will be trained.  There, he meets Hagrid, the caretaker, Dumbledore, the headmaster, Professors McGonagill and Snape, instructors, and his various classmates including the fire haired Weasley's, Hermione (whose name pronunciation may incite riot amongst Potter fans) and his nemesis, Draco Malfoy.  Now the rest of the film unfolds, based upon these events and characters, as Harry proceeds through training, and becomes a player in the #1 wizard game, Quidditch, a flying cricket/dodgeball style game.  The remainder of the first book, and subsequent ones are based around these facts, and I shall leave the movie to unveil them in its picture and word perfect fashion.  This is the truest form of an adapted screenplay than has ever existed in Hollywood.  Columbus plays on the old adage of "if it aint broke, dont fix it".  There is a reason the books worked so well, because they touched a chord, and found that middle ground and bridged that chasm between youth and adulthood.  Why mess with that, thankfully, Columbus does not.  By doing so, he has created a nearly 2 and a half hour film, which may drag by for those unfamiliar, but will fly for those of us familiar, because we know exactly where the story is, and where it has to go, because Columbus never strays, and only omits small pieces on his way to the magical promised land of happiness and satisfaction that this movie gives everyone.

How many times can I say cool, until it seems unprofessional, this movie seriously brings that into question, and makes it hard to behave like an adult, when I just wanted to be 12 again and escape to a time when the world was simpler, and our eyes and souls were untainted.  Each generation has one movie that captures this magic, but not since Star Wars have we had one.  Now that we do, everyone should come along on Columbus's ride through the magical land.

Anyone who has ever read a book is probably guilty of envisioning how things and people look, its part of the magic of the underappreciated wonder of reading.  Our imaginations become the playtoys of the author, and we each have our own creation of how things appear.  Few who have read the books would be hard pressed to criticize any of the translations here, since the casting is exact and fitting, and the actors, from Radcliffe to Watson, to Grint as the kids and to the delicious casting of Rickman as Snape (whenever I read the books now, I hear voice and smile wickedly) and also a scene-stealing cameo from John Hurt, noone could have asked for a better translation.  The effects are absolutely breathtaking, and more wonderous than I imagined.  From the Quidditch matches, to the haunted spirit of the castle, and even a three headed monster dog named Fluffy, the world comes alive so seamlessly, that it seems like somewhere that we could easily envision and vacation to.

Ultimately, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's stone is a wonderous escape and magical journey into another world and another time, guided by the simple power of emotion and love.  The simple complexity of the story, carries through into the films execution, by never straying from the mood, spirit and attitude of the story, while using wonderful effects and a a deliciously ear pleasing score from John Williams to give birth to what our imaginations had only dreamed until now.  I must plead impartiality from being able to gauge whether or not this succeeds as a standalone success, but I would like to think so, because from a cinematic aspect, it does nothing wrong.  The script is solid, the performances are consistent and dead on, the effects and art direction are definitely award worthy.  It will truly be an unforgiveable crime, if this movie does not cast its spell over at least these categories in March, along with Adapted Screenplay, since it personifies that like no other.  Chris Columbus's love letter to the young, and young at heart hits every right note, and for this 34 year old Potter fan and movie fan, this is the reason they make movies, and the reason I go, the magic of cinema, and the wonder of it all.