Mostly Magic

Rating: Null/10 (16 November 2001)

Early on in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," an old man tells the title character "I think we can expect great things from you."--a line which, given the immense popular response to the books, is something of a prophetic understatement. Thankfully, the film adaptation of the first in JK Rowling's phenominal series will likely live up to the expectations, or at least pacify the fears, of most fans while providing a pleasant introduction to those who are still wondering what all the fuss is about.
Since there are few, even among the uninitiated, who don't have at least the bare bones of the concept down, we'll skip the introductions and move right on to what works and what doesn't. The best service Chris Columbus has done to the book is not his devout faithfulness in reproducing the narrative, but the top-notch cast he has chosen to embody Rowling's characters. Daniel Radcliffe does well with Harry, giving him the Everykid appeal that makes the character likeable. His best moments are in his wide-eyed wonder when he's intoduced to the wizarding world, a look that will probably be reflected in the audience's younger members. Rupert Grint brings a scene-stealing energy to Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson gives Hermione Granger the right mix of bossiness and charm. Then there are the adult actors, most of whom need no introduction: Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Richard Harris. The performances across the board here are good, but with the exception of Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid most of the mature talent is underutilized. Rickman in particular should have been given more to do, having in Snape one of Rowling's most complex creations. But the players still manage admirably: in particular, Richard Griffiths and Fiona Shaw (as Harry's nasty uncle and aunt) make the most of their brief screen time.
The settings also deserve special mention. Hogwart's is a beautifully fantastic fairytale world of imposing Gothic archetecture, moving paintings, an enchanted ceiling and a staircase that Escher would envy. Diagon Alley is a wonderfully chaotic mix of Charles Dickens and Terry Pratchett, and the Forbidden Forest looks as dark and forboding as the name suggests. Like the book, the images here create a wonderful world children of any age would love to envision themselves in.
Many of the book's key scenes--the opening delivery of infant Harry to his unwilling surrogate family, a high-energy Quidditch match, a scuffle with a dull-eyed troll in the girl's restroom, and the climactic journey to reach the Sorcerer's Stone--are presented with as much energy and flair as can be hoped for. However, in attempting to fit in as many of the big set-pieces as possible, screenwriter Steven Kloves has missed some of the less spectacular but nonetheless appealing sections of the book. In particular, scenes which expanded on the relationship between Harry, Ron and Hermione and their classmates would have brought more depth to the film.
Even as I write this, work is being done to get the second part of the series, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," on its cinematic feet. If Columbus et al. learn from the few mistakes they made here, that film could be an astonishing triumph. But for now, "Sorcerer's Stone" should appease. It's not as great as it could have been...but it's more than good enough.