It was with a mixture of ecstatic anticipation and mild trepidation that I waited for the lights to dim in the movie theater. I've been a Harry Potter fan since the first day I picked up the exceedingly talented J.K. Rowling's debut novel, the first in the fantasy series that has transformed reading into magic for millions of children of all ages. Would the movie come close to doing justice to my beloved sorcerer's adventures?
One would hope that the Warner Brothers production studios would manage to create a reasonable facsimile of the novel. After all, Director Chris Columbus worked closely with Rowling in all stages of production. She helped choose the cast, approved the script and offered criticism about the setting and staging throughout. Millions were counting on Columbus to get it right - millions of young fans who already had a clear idea of what the movie should look like and millions of dollars in potential profit from the movie franchise, which has already outsold Episode I: The Phantom Menace.
This critic is thrilled to announce that Columbus did far more than "get it right"; he created a top-notch movie which entertains even those who have not read the book. Though the movie sticks diligently to the book's plotline, right down to minute details in the setting, the two-and-a-half hour movie manages not to alienate the uninformed movie-goer, assuming no prior exposure to the story.
For those few remaining individuals who are unfamiliar with Harry's adventures, I'll offer a brief plot summary. Harry is an orphan raised begrudgingly by his insufferable relatives, the Dursleys. One day his fate changes when he is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is more than the average pre-teen wizard; he is the only one to have survived being attacked by Voldemort, a villain so evil that most timidly refer to him as "You Know Who." Together with his friends Ron and Hermione, he discovers that You Know Who is attacking Hogwarts, and the three set out through grave peril in an attempt to save the school.
Columbus indeed works magic with the special effects. Even mere Muggles (non-wizards) will be dazzled by the grandeur of Hogwarts, a stunning castle with countless secret passages and hidden surprises. Special effects transform the ever-watchful Professor McGonagall smoothly into her alter ego, a cat. A terrifying, life-size chess game near the end is a technical masterpiece. Most impressive is the Quidditch match, a game played in the air on broomsticks. The scene seems entirely real, and it brings to life a part of the book that I had a difficult time visualizing in my imagination.
The real magic in the movie doesn't come from computer effects and Animatronics, however; it is the actors themselves who cast a spell over the audience. Rowling was wise to require that unknown actors be cast as the famous trio. It allows for complete suspension of disbelief as the viewer easily assimilates the actors with their respective characters. As Harry, Daniel Radcliffe nails his daunting role, endearing himself from the start. Rupert Grint (Ron) is a perfect match for his impish character, and Emma Watson, as Hermione, pulls off her know-it-all personality without being too annoying. All three children perform well beyond expectation for amateurs.
Other parts are also well-cast. Dame Maggie Smith (Tea with Mussolini) shines again as McGonagall, a strict but caring professor. As slimy and presumably evil Professor Snape, Alan Rickman (Dogma) fits the part perfectly, an exact replica of what I had imagined when reading. Rob Coltrane (From Hell) performs well as the lovable oaf, Hagrid.
To be sure, the celluloid adaptation does fall short of the book. However grand Hogwarts may seem on the screen, it could never match the elegance of its imagined counterpart. The scary parts, though shocking enough to distress young children, did not send chills down my spine the way the book did. At the movie, the viewer must sit through the entire story for nearly three hours, with no breaks and no chance to look back at foreshadowing and favorite passages.
As a movie in and of itself, however, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is sheer brilliance. It captivates the audience from beginning to end, a visually stunning masterpiece for all ages. This movie is not to be missed. I only hope it will inspire many more to open their imaginations to Rowling's phenomenal books.
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