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But above all, Columbus has got the feel right and to do
that he's come up with a perfect potion that mixes effects,
a superb cast of newcomers and wondrously experienced old
stagers.
Daniel Radcliffe is just how Harry was imagined to look.
Okay, purists will rave about the lightning scar's position,
but what the heck. He looks nicely nerdy, without being anything
other than utterly believable, and has a depth rarely scene
in young actors.
His cohorts Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Grainger
(Emma Watson) each have their engaging points and they do
very well for youngsters. All three are charming little wizards
and it really is their movie with even the likes of Richard
Harris (Prof. Albus Dumbledore), Maggie Smith (Prof. McGonagall)
and Alan Rickman (Prof. Snape) - who are all perfectly cast
- almost lost in the background. However, two of the adults
challenge the kids for scene-stealing - Robbie Coltrane as
Hagrid and Richard Griffiths as the loathsome uncle. They
are a joy, Griffiths in particular.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone introduces us to
the young Harry who is forced to stay with his Muggle (non-magical
folk) relatives after his parents are killed by the evil wizard
Voldemort (yes, I'll name him). Although treated abominably
- something akin to an abuse victim - our Harry bears it all
without complaint or being seen as a pathetic individual.
Then one night, in stomps Hagrid and Harry takes his place
in the magical world of wizards and witches that we Muggles
do not see. From the goblins and shopkeepers of Diagon Alley
it's off to Platform 9 and three-quarters and on to the Hogwart's
Express.
His destination is the 1000-year-old Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry, where he will learn all about the art of sorcery.
The visualisation of Hogwarts is simply perfect and will just
delight fans of the books.
Once there he discovers that there are good and evil wizards
and witches - and he just so happens to be No.1 on the hate
list of the No.1 Bad Guy. What follows is a hugely enjoyable
adventure that is humourous, exciting, sad and uplifting.
It is very nice to note that the video transfer of Harry
Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is worthy of the story
- that is to say it's sensational. Clean, crisp and boasting
perfect colour, it is almost a 10 out of 10. Any blemishes
are barely noticeable and certainly don't jump out and yell
"forget the movie, look at this annoying little thing."
The Quidditch match highlights the film's use of surround
sound and throughout the show your ears will be picking up
excellent channel work.
The big bitch about Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
is that it is released in normal screen format when a movie
of such visual lushness should only have been released on
widescreen.
Still, there are very few movies about which you can say
"that's it, that's exactly as I imagined the book to
be", but Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is
one of them.
This is only the beginning of what is going to be one magical
series.
Conclusion: Movie 90%, Extras 85%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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