A Nostalgic Start Of The Journey To The World Of Wizardry

Rating: 9/10 (10 October 2019)

Harry Potter and The Soccer's Stone is directed by Chris Columbus, and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The story: I love how the film always gives the audience a sense of mystery to the audience, always posing the question, who really wants Harry dead? Is it really Snape? What are the three headed dogs really guarding? The way we are introduced to Hogwarts is absolutely brilliant, everything about the place makes me want to get my own letter from Hogwarts- except I am a little bit to old now for such a miracle... The characters that we are introduced to were great casting picks, Daniel Radcliffe is absolutely perfect for Harry Potter, as is Emma Watson for Hermione, and Rupert Grint for Ron. But a character which really shines for me has to be Snape, and by the way, RIP Alan Rickman, you were most definitely hands down the greatest Snape we could ever have for this role. The way he talks is so grim and contradicting, and this really helps by having him being perfectly casted for the role, as he is a pertinent part of the storyline, the one who we really believe might actually be the villain of all this. And because that is cliché that he would be, as a viewer, we are sucked into Harry, Ron, and Hermione's assumptions. So, Alan Rickman as Snape was absolutely magnificent.
Dumbledore, played by Richard Harris, really brings the wisdom to the table with his character, his voice of so much relaxation. But I never really saw this as the Dumbledore who could duel with Voldemort, so while this Dumbledore was perfection when it came to the comforting smile, and heart-warming nature of Dumbledore, I think that's where the other Dumbledore shined the most. But nevertheless, this is not a gripe, as he was done so perfectly in the suiting of this film. The cinematography in the film is so dazzling and vibrant, which is so suiting for this film. The score by John William is such a mesmerising score, giving the film a tone, which really helps film to feel light, but also in the film's darkest moments, not light, but never to daunting or malicious, which really would not suit the film at all. The theme of friendship in this film is also very strong, as this movie really bands the three together. To see these three meet each other on the Hogwarts's Express for the first time is magical on so many levels, because the evolution of these characters is unforgettably well crafted. Now, this film is not without any flaws or gripes. The first part of the film is trying to set up the universe of Harry Potter, and the world building aspect of the film is absolutely phenomenal, but however, does take a long time to do so, especially as there are still seven films to come in the series. When we have been introduced to Hogwarts, and its magical delights, and its characters, when it stops world building, this is a point in the film when it can't help feeling like it's dragging slightly. But when the film hits another climax such as the troll, Quidditch match scenes, the film stops dragging. Talking of the Quidditch match scenes, they haven't aged as well as they could of, but back in the day, the CGI in it was extraordinary. Funny what film has evolved to today. This is really a very minor gripe, but the film does have dragging points throughout its run time, as while this film thoroughly entertaining, it also has so much to set up. The finale of the film is very engaging, as this is where all the mystery without the film is wrapped up. The sequence where Harry flies through the swarm of keys is such a fun sequence. If any of the sequences in the final act of the film was the most memorable before the twist of the film is revealed to us, it would the chess scene. It's such a clever link back to Ron and Harry's game of chess earlier in the film. By the way, poor Ron, your eye rolling meanness during the first act of the film to Hermione can now be very well overlooked. The twist of movie is so great for the first time, and never really get's old for me. Plot twists from this movie really do become part of the gold standard of Harry Potter films, and I love it. Anyhow, through multiple watches of the film, I found at least, that you can see that Quirrell does seem a times a bit suspicious, and that clever little hint is a masterful piece of filmmaking to me. But when you find out it was Quirrell for the first time, the twist in the film really get's you. The first look at Voldemort is interesting, but he's not really the version of the character who sparks it for me, but of course, I'll be talking about the version who is so very well cast in good time (my next review of the next movie), and boy, does he provide!
With that, Harry Potter and The Soccer's Stone is a wonderful look at the world of wizardry and fantasy and is so very nostalgic and memorable. I'm going to give it an A-, and as a Star Ranking, that's a well-deserved solid 9/10.