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Movie Review "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

By Sarfraz HussainPublished 2 years ago 8 min read
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone adventure, family, fantasy Director: Chris Columbus Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman Premiere: March 21, 2002

Not an original, but a 100% fairy tale came out - mainly due to the fact that the film does not slavishly follow the original source. For the movie, the plot was slightly "straightened" to focus on the action, not descriptions with explanations, and the pace of development of events is not lost for more than two hours. From the screen, parents who have not mastered this general children's fad in print will understand even more quickly and clearly where the wind is blowing from.

The democratic "Harry Potter"

As expected, the democratic "Harry Potter", filmed "from the wheels", turned out to be much prettier than the pretentious and imitative "Lord of the Rings". The adaptation of Joan Rowling, of course, does not go beyond the scope of adapted entertainment for young children, but even under the Soviet regime, all the best was for children. And the parents in the film by Chris Columbus at least will not get bored ...

Birth of a legend

When, in 2001, Harry Potter strode through the world of Muggle cinemas, bewitching with his amazing magic, he became a real phenomenon, whose popularity expanded far beyond the borders of the UK.

It was with the release of the film "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" that a certain utopian dream from childhood came to us, that good always triumphs over evil, friendship remains above many insults, and one should never lose faith in oneself! All this could be found in the first adaptation of JK Rowling's novels, directed by the unforgettable creator of the Home Alone dilogy, Chris Columbus.

The film tells how an orphan boy, who lived with his aunts and uncles, who carefully concealed his true origin because of the fear of everything "unusual", finds out on his 11th birthday that he is a real magician. And the world Harry spent his childhood in is not his. Now, he must go to the best school of Witchcraft and Wizardry Hogwarts. Where he will live among magicians like him, learn to become strong, and even learn the secret of the death of his parents ... but even more surprising for him will be the fact that in the world of wizards, Harry Potter is a celebrity.

It is worth starting with the main thing and saying: at the moment, there is simply no more accurate transfer of the atmosphere of the Harry Potter series of books through the film adaptation than under the direction of Columbus. Only he was able to truly penetrate the soul of the plot and feel it, turning it inside out.

The persistent and subtly ambitious soundtrack to the film makes you feel real "goosebumps", from which you simply come to delight! But the most interesting thing is that the composer John Williams wrote a musical composition specifically for the film's trailer, and later it was she who entered the soundtrack of the film called "Prologue", which in itself happens extremely rarely.

The scenery, the amazingly beautiful landscapes on which the shooting took place, the real "star wars" on broomsticks that built the main component of the visual effects of the picture, all this plunges headlong into the chaotic and seething cauldron of two self-sufficient parallel worlds - magicians and Muggles.

The main attraction of the Movie Harry Potter,

The main attraction of the movie is the selection of the cast. Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the role of Harry Potter, fully corresponds to the image of the boy who survived. The most important thing is that he managed to convey individual emotions with his eyes, and this is very important for conveying the semantic load of the character. As in the books, Harry often thinks a lot. Alas, we cannot hear thoughts, and such visual contact is the only way to convey the importance of this or that information to the viewer.

In addition, the external similarity factor is certainly not in last place, and only with the approval of the writer herself, does Danny get his role in the film, thereby leaving behind the rest of the contenders, one of whom was Anton Yelchin.

It’s a pity that not all of the first-rate qualities were preserved in Radcliffe and in the subsequent parts of the Potter series, but more on that later, to be more precise, in future reviews of the remaining seven films.

An interesting fact about Daniel

An interesting fact is that Daniel himself was not at the very beginning a fan of JK Rowling's work when he auditioned for the film, unlike Rupert Grint and Matthew Lewis. He fell in love with his character and the whole magical world already during the filming process itself.

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) are ideal candidates to bring together the main trinity of friends. Not in vain, Emma's creative pressure was needed for her to transform into the image of a haunting many, a nerd. In some scenes, she even overplays her character, and this only benefits her. Rupert is a wonderful actor with a great store of humor, which sometimes even looks ridiculous. And this absurdity allowed him to build the necessary perception of his character.

Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy)...not every kid can handle what Felton did. To play a small cold-blooded scoundrel, a true Slytherin, who, without his faithful retinue - fellow student bodyguards Crebb and Goyle, is absolutely nothing but cowardice. From the outside, it looks very "epic".

Alan Rickman (Severus Snape) is the most enigmatic character in the J.K. Rowling series of novels, whose fate will only be revealed in the final installment of the franchise. But this does not prevent Rickman from showing the enormous potential of his character from the first second of meeting him. Talk about his game - do not say anything. She just needs to enjoy, frame by frame.

Harris Richard (Albus Dumbledore) - kindness and sensitivity are the main qualities of the director of Hogwarts, revealed by his biography in the first film. After his role in "Major Dundee", I simply could not imagine that such a reincarnation was possible, but the ghostly possibility became a reality ... Great actor. Blessed memory to him.

I would also like to mention Robbie Coltrane (Rubius Hagrid). Playing the forester and keeper of the Hogwarts keys, Robbie brought even more magic to the already magical picture of the film.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

"Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" will mark the real birth of a legend, and not only a fictional one, living in a world full of secrets and adventures of sorcerers and witches. This legend certainly became Daniel Radcliffe himself, who for many generations will remain an unforgettable Harry Potter.

The power that is in every word of the novel is conveyed to the screens with unshakable accuracy. The atmosphere encourages you to penetrate the other side of the picture, and feel all the magic of what is happening, breathing in the fresh air of serene expanses. A castle that seems to come to life with its talking pictures and moving stairs, disappearing and appearing rooms filled with incense.

All this is reminiscent of a fairy tale. Watching this film, you forget about future problems and completely surrender to fantasies, carelessly up in the clouds but for 152 minutes. How wonderful it is. The best choice for watching together with your family, which will not leave you indifferent. The genius of Chris Columbus himself put his hand to creating a unique story, which is sometimes so lacking in everyday life.

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) appears in the very first frame with an ironic smirk on his face, and you are calm for him all the way. Pretty little voice Emma Watson (Hermione) is an established character actress. In general, everyone, Rupert Green, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, John Cleese, and Robbie Coltrane, has a character written on the face, and with a minimum of facial expressions achieves maximum accuracy in fabulous behavior. Maybe only with the make-up of Richard Harris-Dumbledore was a little overdone. Gray hair on glue is better.

In general, the film looks pleasant, although without a trace of life. He is like that mirror of Erisida, about which everyone decides for himself whether to look or not to look, since the mirror is always in the corridor anyway. Yes, the fairy tale came out not scary and not funny, but only purely magical. But, apparently, humanity only needs magic now. I was so afraid and laughed that I had no more strength. The potential of children-wizards in this regard is quite large. It will be especially interesting to see them growing up with Daniel Radcliffe on the screen. Having finished Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Columbus immediately took up the sequel to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which is already scheduled to premiere on November 15, immediately after which Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban should be filmed.

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About the Creator

Sarfraz Hussain

I am a professional journalist and I work as a writer and reporter in a national newspaper. The purpose of my life is to help people. Useful Tips on Health Care to Improve the Lives of an Ordinary Man.

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