Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

"Yer a wizard, Harry."

To say that the Harry Potter Universe is a ubiquitous pop culture phenomenon would be putting it lightly. We are a decade removed from the publication of the last book, and seven years from the last movie (in the main sequence), and Harry Potter has left an indelible mark on our popular culture. It was Star Wars for a new generation: a world so completely realized in book and on film that children all over the world, and adults, too, wished very badly that they could BE there. The Harry Potter juggernaut has only grown since the last Hogwarts movie: we've had the development of an online experience, Pottermore, the publication of a number of supplemental lore books, the installation of a theme park (two, actually: one in Florida and one in Hollywood), and the development of a series of prequel films set in the adult wizarding world of the 20s and 30s. The series' ubiquitousness is key to understanding its appeal: you can be a fan of the books, a fan of the movies, or both. The books are, largely, children's books, and are fairly easy to read (even if their length balloons exponentially in the latter half of the series), but, if you don't have time to read, you can watch the eight films based on those books and, largely, get the same experience. You don't have to have read a single page of Rowling's original text to count yourself a fan of Harry Potter (a snob would argue, vehemently against that statement, but I am for anyone exposing themselves to this series in any way that makes them comfortable). Recently, a friend of mine discussed their urge to watch the films, in order, having never read the books or seen the films (cue your "hiding under a rock" jokes). My wife and I gleefully agreed to host: it has been some time since I was able to sit and watch these films all the way through, and, as my wife pointed out, we seem to be better evangelists of Harry Potter than we are of Christ our savior: there are very few lengths we wouldn't go to turn someone into a Potter fan. So we dug out our stack of Blu-ray discs, marked some days on our calendar, and began.

Summary:

An orphaned boy receives a letter of acceptance to a school of witchcraft and wizardry, discovers his own magical lineage, and embarks on the adventure of a lifetime.

Pros:

THAT Music: John Williams has carved out one of the most iconic movie music careers in the history of film. If there is an iconic movie franchise, he probably did the music for it. It should come as no surprise that Warner Brothers pulled out the big guns and tapped Williams for the film's score. And he knocks it out of the park. I still, some seventeen years later, got goosebumps when the opening notes of the main theme trickled out of my stereo. Throughout the film, the music feels of one piece, pitching and changing with the scene or context, but still thoroughly together. It swells when it needs to, it picks up pace during action sequences, and it knows when to get sombre. Williams is a legend. This soundtrack is legendary.

Lovingly Crafted World: This film series was a gamble: it was going to take a tidal wave of cash to fully realize it. It could have been SO BAD. It could, easily, have been a quick cash-grab for Warner Brothers. But they rose to the occasion, threw gads of money at it, and hired a wonderful crew of people to bring this world to life. The sets, largely practical ones, feel lived in and real: Knockturn Alley is a wonder of art direction: stacked cauldrons, rocky cobblestones, witches and wizards flitting here and there, stained windows, buildings leaning comically. And the costumes! In the "real world," everything looks a little same-y. A little boring. But in the Wizarding World, things come alive. The costumes are vibrant and reminiscent of some kind of odd period piece: a world stuck in some kind of past. There are waist coats, lacey frill, flow-y robes, smooshed top hats, glasses precariously balanced on the tip of a nose. This film is beautiful to see. It places the viewer in that world, and makes it feel like a real place. A shout out, too, to the largely practical effects in the movie: Yes, there is CG (how could there NOT be?) but the film scores a lot of points for practical make-up, and set designs that really root the actors in place. The CG is dated, a bit, but not as badly as you might think. In any case, the film never relies on it so much that it detracts from the action or storytelling (I'm looking at you, Justice League (and Batman v Superman (and Transformers))).

Who's Who of British Acting: This movie (and the subsequent films) would boast one of the largest collections of British acting talent ever assembled. You may not know their names, but you've seen them in movies, and you've been wowed by their skill. This film is filled to the brim with brilliant character actors: scene stealing bit parts, aged professors, and dastardly villains. Getting into the Harry Potter films would become something of a benchmark for British actors in the years after the release of The Sorcerer's Stone, and it is no wonder: it must have been an incredible set to go to work on. Richard Harris is pitch-perfect as Albus Dumbledore: he is kind, a little mischievous, and wise. Alan Rickman is impeccable as Severus Snape: his signature baritone and stiff affectation are perfect, and iconic. Let's not forget Dame Maggie Smith: her turn as Minerva McGonagall is rooted in a respect for order, but a love for her wards, and a secret passion for Quidditch. And then there's the lovable oaf, Rubeus Hagrid, played with heart and soul by Robbie Coltrane. There are line deliveries that have become pop culture standards ("Yer a wizard, Harry"), and it is in large part due to the talent of the actors assembled, who did incredible work to make this series' mad-cap magic and crazy lore FEEL real.

A Strong Core: Above I noted how the film became a British acting institution, but the film never would have worked if the core focus of the film, Harry and his friends, couldn't rise to the occasion. Since the film series bowed, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson have gone on to fine careers of their own, while Rupert Grint retreated from the limelight (and more power to him). But, even in this first film, their talent and chemistry is apparent: there are some cringe-worthy lines, but one has to take into account that the kids are 11 years old. Their performances grow more skilled and nuanced as the films roll along, however. Here, though, they are effortless and charming and establish an emotional core that the films badly needed to be successful.

An Excellent Adaptation: Rowling's books are, at first glance, rather slim volumes (the first three, anyway) and would, seemingly, be easily adapted to film. However, she deftly layers lore and history into her story with every page. Making this series work was going to take a Herculean effort of screen writing. The first film had a lot to do: establish the world, establish the array of characters, establish the rules of magic, and establish the necessary history of that world. This film is two hours and thirty-two minutes long, but could easily have been over three hours. The script is tight, and does its job admirably, without ever feeling like a slog through various check points. It was an unenviable position, but screenwriter, Steve Kloves, rose to the occasion admirably. He would go on to write a total of seven of the eight movies in the series.

Journeyman Filmmaking: Warner Brothers wisely decided to tap a journeyman director for the first Harry Potter film: Chris Columbus, a man known for Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire. Columbus is a sure hand behind the camera: his shots are well composed, the action well-paced, and the editing brisk without ever losing focus. His style isn't flashy, or auteurish, but it was what the series needed, at least at the beginning, to get it started.

Cons:

It's Long: This is a long movie. They are ALL long. I am not sure how you could do the series justice without turning out long movies, however.

A Kids Movie: Look, the Potter films are, subjectively, well-made films. I can understand a person not liking the kid-friendly sense of humor, or playful violence, but let's not pretend that those aren't subjective things. This is, at its heart, a kids movie, but the sense of magic and wonder are enough to soften even a hardened adult heart.

Some Problems: Like, why would Dumbeldore tell students never to enter the Forbidden Forest, on their first day, on threat of painful death, and then assign some kids to go traipsing around said forest for detention? That's straight up neglect, dude. There are a few other things that the movie assumes you will take on faith, and your mileage may vary. But, hey, you're watching a movie about young kids attending a wizarding school: there's a certain amount of benefit of the doubt that should be surrendered at the door.

In Conclusion:

I haven't watched these films, top-to-bottom, since I was young. It is a treat, then, to come back to them as an adult. It is extra fun to share them with a friend, to book passage on his first journey. And to write about them. I've always remembered the films as great, and I am interested to see if my since-developed eye for movies changes my appreciation of these films. Film one is in the can: only seven more to go (eight, if you count Fantastic Beasts (and we do, actually)).

Should You Watch It?

Duh. Harry Potter has become an ever-present part of our pop cultural world. If you HAVEN'T seen these movies, come see what everyone is talking about. If you HAVE seen these films, give them another whirl, and get caught up in their magic.

Miscellany:

- Alan Rickman was Rowling's choice for Snape: she even gave him vital story details that wouldn't be revealed until the seventh book, that he might play his part more fully.

- Steven Spielberg was offered the film, but he turned it down. He wanted to make an animated film, and he wanted American actor Haley Joel Osment for the voice of Harry. Rowling's original choice for director was Terry Gilliam: can you imagine? Spielberg, for his part, recommended M. Night Shyamalan, who, in turn, turned down the movie.
- Richard Harris accepted the role of Dumbledore at the request of his granddaughter. She threatened to never speak to him again, if he refused. Unfortunately, he would die after the filming of the second film of Hodgkin's lymphoma.
- Rowling managed to finish her books before the film versions came out in theaters. Eat shit, George R. R. Martin.
- Everywhere but the US, the book, and the film, are titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Scenes in the movie had to be shot twice, where the stone was mentioned, to get both names in.
- In this movie, the floating candles in Hogwarts' main hall are practical effects. However, one candle burned through its wire, and clattered to the floor. This would cause later productions to digitally recreate the candles.
- The food in the great hall is real food: and, after hours of filming under hot lights, began to smell horridly.
- Rik Mayall (of Drop Dead Fred fame) was cast as Peeves, the Ghost, but was cut from the film.
- Columbus wanted Daniel Radcliffe to play Harry. He would show a clip of Radcliffe in David Copperfield to the other actors vying for the part, to show them what he wanted. Columbus was assured by the casting director that Radcliffe's protective parents would not let him take the part. After the casting director resigned, due, in large part to Columbus' high standards, he (Columbus) met with the Radcliffes and persuaded them to let Daniel take the part.
- The film garnered three Academy Award nominations: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design and Best Original Score.
- Harry doesn't actually cast a single spell in the entire movie.
- At the time, this was the second highest grossing film of all time, behind Titanic.