The start to something much more phenomenal, a cinematic miracle

Rating: 9/10 (1 July 2006)

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone was the beginning of cinematic history. At the time of it's release it became the second highest grossing film of all time. It spawned a series of films that have absolutely only gotten better. It launched the career of it's three youngsters who seemed to have been absolutely built for these roles. It brought to the screen an epic fantasy adventure with kids in mind but without holding back a single thing like no other film had ever done. Philosopher's Stone is so important because it gives us the background and beginnings of the famous boy wizard. The film introduces us to characters and locations that fans of the book would be shown like never before. This film captured the book probably better than any other book to film transition in history.
The three youngsters were brand new to Cinema and now will be forever locked to this series. Daniel Radcliffe plays Harry Potter. Harry Potter was already a literary masterpiece up there with Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer. But it's not only that he was able to get this part it's that he absolutely IS Harry Potter. Even in this first film before he really gets comfortable with the part his performance is perfect. He looks the part, sounds the part and acts the part. Harry's general submersion into the Wizard world having never known where he comes from is a huge moment and Radcliffe just draws you into that. He has big sparkling eyes and facial expressions that make you feel each emotion. Rupert Grint plays Harry's new best friend Ron Weasley. Grint has a big part on his young shoulders playing the nervous and unstoppably shy Ron. Although the big difference between this film and the future installments is Ron really takes matters into his hands and even sacrifices himself for Harry. He gets some huge bravery points and really comes out of his shell. But Grint still plays the jittery youngster very well. Out of the three of them the one I have the most hope for doing other things in the future is lovely young Emma Watson who plays the absolutely insatiable Hermione Granger. Hermione is loud, outspoken, strong, a powerful wizard, but also deeply sensitive underneath it all. She has this powerful bond to both Harry and Ron and they form an unstoppable friendship. Watson just has this sparkle and bite to her that I think will make her a fantastic actress and makes her absolutely perfect for Hermione Granger. The three of them have terrific chemistry and this film shows their first meeting and the bond of their friendship already. Lastly the thing that makes the Harry Potter films including this one so outstanding is the unbelievable supporting cast which features some of the greatest, veteran actors of their kind. And they aren't used sparingly and they don't downplay their small roles but rather give stand out, brilliant performances. One of my favorite characters is Rubeus Hagrid played by Robbie Coltrane. I felt like he was played almost a little too foolish in this first installment but he is still a loving giant that cares a lot for the kids at Hogwart's and also manages to take in some peculiar pets as well. The late, amazing Richard Harris plays master wizard, head master of the school and Harry's ultimate mentor Albus Dumbledore. Harris created the image and voice and personality of on-screen Dumbledore and he did a terrific job. He's mysterious and important and has an aura about him. Maggie Smith plays Professor Minerva McGonagall, the ever watching Professor who always catches the kids in situations they shouldn't be in. She's terrific and I would love to see her get a slightly larger role in the future. Second only to Hagrid one of my favorite characters is played by Alan Rickman, Professor Severus Snape. He's probably the most evil looking good guy in any film. He is to the bone a good guy and yet has this bad guy look about him. In this film he is implied of course as the bad guy but turns out to be a hero amongst the teachers. And finally Ian Hart plays Voldemort's Hench man and teacher of the dark arts defense Professor Quirinus Quirrell. His role is basically quite small until the last half hour of the film but in that last half hour he really does a terrific job as the bad guy and Harry's adversary.
The brilliance of how this cast fits together and fits their roles is completely unexplainable. You have to see it and future films to understand the true meaning of how incredible this film series comes together and this is the one that started it all. The dark overtone of the film, Harry's sad story and his quest to belong and touch base with his parents whom he lost before he could even remember is seemingly too dark for children, or so other film makers would have you believe. Certainly director Chris Columbus is no stranger to kid's films or even films about overcoming adversity, he's a great director that makes you feel his films. He does probably lighten the whole Harry Potter mood certainly more than the directors who took over the last two installments. The special effects in Harry Potter are stunning especially watching the Quidditch game which really is a high point of the film. I find that the film is really blatantly heavy with CGI hence why perhaps I didn't tack on a perfect score like I did for the final two films. They seem to use the CGI special effects much better later on. Fluffy, the three headed monster dog, as cool of a character as he was looked nearly completely animated. Still Children won't notice it and it's absolutely breath taking for them and for adults the story and the adventure is equally as strong and a must see. 9/10