Hey, hey, I'm back! Who knows for how long. Too much of me is too much of a good thing in my opinion...
Hey, hey, I'm back! Who knows for how long. Too much of me is too much of a good thing in my opinion. And that's what it's all about - opinions!
Member since:02.08.2000
Reviews:79
Members who trust:86
That's right, folks, this is my last regular contribution to the crazy world of Ciao. If you're in anyway interested you can read my goodbye on my profile. I wasn't even going to write a final op but I just had to express my thoughts on this film, along with everyone else who's seen it!
To say expectations were high for this, the most eagerly anticipated movie, dare I say it, of all-time, would be an even bigger understatement than saying "that Trampus sure knows how to pull in the reads, eh"! Well, anticipated by everyone except me, that is. I was still reading the book, you see, a few pages at a time as the kids' bedtime story. We were only about two-thirds of the way through and I wanted to finish the book before seeing the movie (so I could join in with the condescending crowd who would undoubtedly criticise the film as being 'not as good as the book') but young Harry Potter fans can be very persistent. (As can the older ones - I think my wife was more excited than anyone about seeing it!)
How to introduce the film? Anyone who's read the books will know exactly what to expect and will only want to know how it compares. Those who have yet to become familiar with the charms of J.K. Rowling's world-famous wizard but can't help but be interested by the hype, will need a wee bit
more explanation. Let's see. Harry Potter is an 11-year-old, seemingly normal, boy who lives with his dreadful aunt and uncle and his cousin following the death of his own parents when he was just a baby. Or so he thinks. Treated miserably by his adoptive family, Harry is amazed and surprised to find out that he's really a wizard - and quite a famous one too.
His parents were actually killed by an evil wizard, Voldemort (sorry, "You-Know-Who"!) but Harry somehow repelled the attack, nearly destroying the murderous magician. Harry is left with a lightning scar on his forehead and a legacy he finds it difficult to live up to when he is invited to the wizard school, Hogwarts. This is a magical place where Harry makes friends, and enemies, and learns about potions and spells, and meets trolls, unicorns, centaurs, three-headed dogs called Fluffy and other magical creatures. Oh yes, and then there's the Philosopher's stone, a mysterious mineral of great power, eagerly sought by once-powerful wizards desperate for revenge and their apprentices. Hmm, I wonder who that could be, then!
That's all you really need to know. The plot is straightforward, establishing the magical world of Harry Potter and introducing us to the characters and locales that will no doubt become even more important as the series develops. (Rowling has written four of a planned seven-book series, so far, and more films are sure to follow,) It's a basic children's adventure story, the weak and powerless boy who is neglected and abused gaining super powers: it's wish-fulfilment fantasy and there's nothing wrong with that!
The film is very faithful to the book, only omitting a few scenes, and the two-and-a-half-hours running time fairly flies by. You don't have to have read the book to fully understand the story but it does help, filling in the detail for some scenes that are rushed by in order to fit everything in. The ending was a particular delight. I've since finished reading it, and I have to say, the film manages to enhance the book's climax and is in some ways even more satisfying.
One of the biggest compliments and one I've heard from many sources, is that many of the scenes appear on screen exactly as the reader had imagined them. I agree with this and (sorting-) hats off to everyone involved with the making of the film. The look is incredible and perfectly suited to the material. The sets are grand, the special effects exhilarating and the costumes fantastic and believable. You won't find a better-looking film this year. (Although, there is Lord of the Rings still to come…!)
Another major factor in the movie's success is the acting. The youngsters are particularly good as they have to carry the movie. The American director, Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire and the under-rated Bicentennial Man) wisely stuck to a British cast and his casting of Daniel Radcliffe in the title role is inspired. He's instantly likeable and very natural in the part. It's very easy to identify with his sense of wonder as he is continually confronted by new marvels, helping to ground the movie in reality. His friends, Ron and Hermione, are perfectly captured also, and the cast of grown-ups reads like a British thespians Who's Who. Robbie Coltrane is a standout as Hagrid but everyone joins in the fun giving enthusiastic performances. (It's wonderful to hear all their stories about being cast in the movie as none of them were able to turn it down for fear of their kids/grandkids never speaking to them again!)
Cast:
Daniel Radcliffe .... Harry Potter Rupert Grint .... Ron Weasley Emma Watson .... Hermione Granger John Cleese .... Nearly Headless Nick Robbie Coltrane .... Rubeus Hagrid Warwick Davis .... Professor Flitwick Richard Griffiths .... Uncle Vernon Dursley Richard Harris .... Headmaster Albus Dumbledore Ian Hart .... Professor Quirrell John Hurt .... Mr. Ollivander Alan Rickman .... Professor Severus Snape Fiona Shaw .... Aunt Petunia Dursley Maggie Smith .... Professor/Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall Julie Walters .... Mrs. Molly Weasley Zoë Wanamaker .... Madam Hooch
This is definitely a film for all the family although it does contain some mild swearing and there are a few scary bits for the younger kids (it is a PG rating). However, my four-year-old wasn't frightened, although he did have problems sitting still for the entire running time! I have no hesitation in recommending this movie as it really does the business. Let your imagination run free and enjoy feeling like a child again!
Footnote: My uncle actually met J K Rowling a couple of years ago just before she became REALLY famous. He works at Edinburgh Museum and she was in doing something. She was very pleasant and easy-going apparently. Just thought you'd like to know!
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I really like the way you dealt with plot in this review without giving too much away and I am going to try to remember it next time I write a film or book review. Sharron xxx
Soph.E. 27.12.2003 20:54
What was all the leaving about??!! I hope not, I'm really getting to like your writing! Watching this, it was a million miles away from what I'd imagined reading the books and so that immediately created a bias. However I can't fault all the special effects etc, they were great. As was your op lol. Soph x
ppotter 02.05.2002 19:29
may all of us have the luck of this writer, go from unknown to a movie..
To try and please all the fans of JK Rowling's novel was a challenge that the makers ... more
ofHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stonemet head on. The result of their efforts is one of the most lavish, beautiful and magical cinematic treats to hit our screens...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
To try and please all the fans of JK Rowling's novel was a challenge that the makers ... more
ofHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stonemet head on. The result of their efforts is one of the most lavish, beautiful and magical cinematic treats to hit our screens...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
As the first Harry Potter film of the celebrated series, this is a must for ardent fans ... more
and newcomers to the global fantasy phenomenon. An adaptation of J. K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel,Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone(known as the...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Fantastic sets, and some amazing special effects. Adheres broadly to the storyline of the book Disadvantages: Chunks of the story are missed out or details changed for no reason. Child actors are generally very poor!
Advantages: Not a lot really, No American Actors Disadvantages: Poor editing, no soundtrack to speak of, poor special effects, generally poor adaptation
Advantages: Offers freedom to watch all films so you can keep a continual track of the story. Disadvantages: Although enjoyable, the later films are more compelling to view than those before.
![Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc Full Screen Edition) [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/77988924.jpg "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc Full Screen Edition) [DVD] [2001]")
![Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/88350446.jpg "Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone [DVD] [2001]")
![Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc Widescreen Edition) [DVD] [2001]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78534968.jpg "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc Widescreen Edition) [DVD] [2001]")
Nov 18th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
![Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone [HD DVD] [2001]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/77973745.jpg)
![Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone [2001] [DVD]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78491628.jpg)
