The Harry Potter book series has won the hearts and imaginations of people worldwide and continues to be author J.K Rowling’s magnum opus in terms of its popularity. When it came time to adapt Harry Potter into a cinematic feature, many approaches were taken, including possibly getting prominent Hollywood director Steven Spielberg to adapt the series into an animated feature. However, that didn’t work out until the director of Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire, Chris Columbus, came onto the scene to help push the idea of adapting each Harry Potter story into its own cinematic adventure. The resulting first film in the series not only brought the magical world of Harry Potter to life but also set a new standard for fantasy films, influencing a generation of filmmakers and captivating audiences worldwide.
As an infant, Harry Potter is left at the doorstep of his only remaining relatives by professors from Hogwarts after being attacked by Lord Voldemort. Ten years later, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) still lives with his uncaring and repulsive Dursley family. One day, he's informed by a big man named Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) that he's a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Despite the Dursley family's objections, Harry accompanies Hagrid to Diagon Alley to gather his school supplies and then goes to platform nine and three-quarters to catch the train to Hogwarts. Throughout the school year, Harry makes new friends like Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and eventually Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), but also encounters new enemies like Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) and Professor Snape (Alan Rickman). Harry learns about his parents' past and uncovers a suspicious plot involving a mysterious powerful stone.
The Story is filled with whimsy and magical charm, occasionally veering into corniness, but it is fitting as Harry Potter is only 11 years old. Having both read the book and watched the movie, I can enthusiastically affirm that this film is, for the most part, a well-adapted feature that immerses the audience into a world of magic and mystery, complete with imaginative world-building and unforgettable characters. I will admit that the book did have more subplots and character arcs that seemed trimmed down for this movie’s runtime. However, it's the movie's brisk pace and incredible tone and style that managed to hook me into believing the wizarding world has truly come to life. As it marks Harry Potter's inaugural adventure at a tender age, the story maintains a lighthearted and enjoyable tone suitable for its target audience, while also weaving in a darker undercurrent to keep the storytelling intriguing. The plot is brimming with mystery and adventure, with each scene incrementally building towards the climactic revelation. The worldbuilding is truly exceptional, serving as a testament to J.K. Rowling’s skill in seamlessly blending the familiarity of the real world with the enchantment of the wizarding realm.
The Characters in the movie are truly unforgettable; each one has a unique and memorable presence. The three main child actors who portray Harry, Ron, and Hermione have an incredible dynamic, and witnessing their character growth throughout their journey is truly remarkable. It's as if every actor in the movie was tailor-made for their role - they fit their characters' personas impeccably. Noteworthy performances include Alan Rickman's portrayal of Professor Snape, Robbie Coltrane's embodiment of Hagrid, The Fatherly Wise Richard Harris as Professor Albus Dumbledore, and the enchanting performance by Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall. These well-crafted and endearing characters, brought to life by the talented cast, make it nearly impossible for viewers to not feel connected to them. The actors deserve immense credit for their convincing and compelling portrayals.
The Cinematography is wildly ambitious and perfectly evokes the feelings and style of J.K Rowling’s creative world. The set designs for places like Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts school itself are impressive in their detail and are seamless in feeling like three dimensional locations without them feeling like sets. The movie isn’t entirely practical effects though, as this film has the pleasure of having the revolutionary CGI effects that were very impressive for its time. However, knowing how far CGI has come especially with the future Harry Potter films, the CG effects in this movie can feel rather fake and rubbery. Things such as The Quittach Stadium and the Magical Creatures would have been difficult to do with just practical effects alone. I understand why they were used for filling in the gaps that practical effects couldn’t, but to be fair, at least the CGI is creatively utilized and the story is so good that some of the lesser effects can be excused in most cases. The visuals in the movie still enchant me, even though the CGI is dated. The overall feel of the movie is warm and embracing, except when it needs to be dark and uncertain. It's the Harry Potter movie that I can always count on to provide visual eye candy that still delights me all these years later.
The Music for the film is composed by the renowned and iconic composer John Williams, who has left an indelible mark on the world of film music. Williams is universally celebrated for his unforgettable compositions for blockbuster movie series like Indiana Jones and Star Wars. His continued ability to craft grand and evocative musical scores that perfectly complement the narrative of the films is a testament to his enduring talent. Everything from Harry’s main theme to the sounds and tunes that evoke the feelings of winter at Hogwarts is just so delightful and fun. Arguably, this could be one of John Williams's best-scored movies, which is saying a lot considering his reputation.
As a first outing for Harry Potter and his pals, this movie proved to be quite the adventure for fans of the original books and newcomers to the series alike. Its well-paced and well-directed story, lovable characters, dated but creative visual effects, and well-organized music enough to enchant kids and adults alike. Looking back, I do acknowledge that some things in the movie narrative-wise don’t quite hold up the same way I remember, I don’t really care though cause the film is so comforting and welcoming, as it should be seeing as this is a child-like introduction to J.K Rowling’s Wizarding World. This would only be the start of something bigger as there would be more stories to be told in the wizarding world about the boy who lived. Trust me when I say that Harry Potter’s journey is only just beginning.
(Final Grade: A-)