Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Rated: PG for some scary moments and mild language. Runtime: 152 mins. Director: Chris Columbus Writer: J.K. Rowlings (novel) Steven Kloves (screenplay) Tagline: Let the Magic Begin. Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint....complete cast Genre: Children/Family
Most memorable quote: "...and watch the staircases. They like to change"
The makers of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone were faced with one of the cinema world's greatest challenges...that of converting a very well known and successful book series into a great movie. Expectations are always high and more often than not, they fall flat on their little box-office faces. Although I have not read any of the books, I understand from my conversations with those who have, that the movie version remains, for the most part, faithful to the tremendously popular story so eloquently written by J.K. Rowling. Even if you have not read any of the books, it is very easy to pick up on the storyline quite quickly, and immediately from the opening credits I was absolutely mesmerized by this movie.
Through his childhood, Harry is virtually held captive under the staircase of his aunt and uncle's house. We learn that his mother and father, masterful wizards themselves, were killed many years ago when Harry was a child. Left to the care of his relatives, Harry has no idea of his past or his future destiny. Upon his 11th birthday, Harry learns from a bearded giant, Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), the story of his parents and that he is invited to attend the exclusive Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Here Harry is trained alongside other potentials to discover, hone and master his supernatural skills. He befriends two fellow wizard trainees, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) and they embark upon numerous boarding school pranks and hijinks and become involved in a dangerous attempt to solve a mystery at the school. Along the way, we are treated to some of the most elaborate and incredible special effects and film sequences in movie making history. I was watching the effects with a very critical eye and although I did occasionally notice weaknesses, I think the bar has been raised for those to come.
But, of course, the most intriguing aspect of this movie is the storytelling. Director, Chris Columbus (Bicentennial Man, Mrs. Doubtfire) and screenplay adapter Steven Kloves (Fabulous Baker Boys, Flesh and Bone) give Rowling's story life with a soft hand, inundating our senses with rich, and visually interesting cinematography. As is usually the case with literary adaptations, I'm sure that much of Rowling's playfulness and technique are missing from the movie, but the pace is fast enough to hold kids' interest even though the run time is a bit long when compared to most movies aimed at the children and family targets. Parents: There is no need to worry about the hype that this movie received surrounding the issues of the occult and witchcraft. This movie is about playfulness, imagination, and escapism, nothing more. Any concerns regarding these issues will go no farther than your own mind. I promise. It might be of interest to note at this point, that during one scene at Christmas time, the students and teachers are seen decorating Christmas trees and singing carols.
The DVD make-up and transfer is another issue of the viewing experience that needs to be addressed here. From the moment the disc is popped into the DVD player you fall into Harry's world. The navigation menus are infused with sound, movement and visual imagery that beg for exploration. The DVD is a two-volume set chock-full of interesting add-ons, games and special features. Disc one contains the movie, scene navigation and language selections, but oddly missing is an audio commentary that is becoming commonplace in the DVD format. Now let's move on to disc 2. Disc 2 is the queen mother of what this format is supposed to be about. The object is to solve the mystery by visiting all of the areas and by touring the grounds of Hogwart's. Once the mystery is solved the viewer will be treated to several deleted scenes. You can take the navigated tour of Hogwart's, visit Diagon Alley to purchase school supplies, go to the library for additional tales and stories, and talk to the Sorting Hat and many others adventures. This is cool stuff, right down to the 2-disc set packaging. This is what the founders had in mind when they invented the DVD format.
And by the way, I was concerned with the PG rating assigned to the movie for scary moments. My 6-year old watched it with me without suffering any short-term effects. Regarding any long-term symptoms, get back with me in a few years. This is a great movie for the entire family, including the in-laws. I give it a high score in the get-lucky factor because of its scary moments. I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of this movie, thereby assigning it the highest reel rating available. Frank Wilkins
Sound: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Other Features: Color; interactive menus; scene access; trailers, Color; interactive menus; scene access; never-before-seen footage; 360 degree self-guided tour of Hogwarts; new interviews with director Chris Columbus and producer David Heyman; learn how to play Quidditch with an original Quidditch montage featuring Oliver Wood and Harry; catch a snitch; mix potions; perform transfigurations; explore Diagon Alley; meet the ghosts of Hogwarts; sneak past fluffy and other challenges to reveal the secret in the Mirror of Erised; additional DVD-ROM features. Hidden Features: One of the most exciting features of the release has been locked away on Warner Home Video’s version of 'Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone' - the deleted scenes. We tell you how to get to these treasures and how to make your way through the lengthy games that hide these scenes.
How to access the deleted scenes: First, insert the second disc containing the extra features. Highlight the feature titled 'Diagon Alley' and hit enter. You have to hit the correct bricks in order for the door to open. Hit 'left,' 'up,' 'up,' then the 'Enter' key. Then 'up,' and 'Enter.' Then 'up,' and 'Enter' again. Next hit 'right,' 'down,' 'down,' and 'Enter.' Then 'down' and 'Enter' again. Don't worry if you mess up, you'll be allowed to enter anyway. The first step is to access your bank account. Highlight the sign titled 'Gringotts' and hit the 'Down' arrow key on your remote control to highlight the key on the sign. Then hit 'Enter.' Then in the bank, hit 'right' and 'Enter' to open your vault. Exit the bank and highlight the sign titled 'Ollivanders' and hit 'Enter.' In here, it doesn't matter which boxes you choose, the third or fourth try, you will get your wand.
Now that you have your wand you can go to class. Return to the Main Menu, and select the 'Classrooms' entry. Then, choose potions from the next menu. Hit 'right' to highlight the mortar and pestle and hit 'Enter.' You will now be required to choose the correct ingredients for three potions. The first potion is the Sleeping Potion. The correct ingredients are Asphodel and Wormwood, hit 'right' twice and 'Enter,' then 'right' once more and 'Enter.' The next question is for the alternative name for Aconite. The answers are Monkshood and Wolfsbane, hit 'right' and 'Enter,' then 'right' twice more then 'Enter' to select them. The final potion you have to create is the cure for a boil. The correct ingredients are Snake Fangs and Porcupine Quills. Hit 'right' and 'Enter,' then 'right' three times and 'Enter.'
You will then be transported to a room with lots of flying keys where you must select the correct key. Hit 'right,' 'up,' 'up,' 'right,' and 'Enter' to select the small key with the broken wing. Next, you will have to choose the right potion between seven of them. Hit 'right' twice, then 'Enter' to select the yellow spherical bottle. You will then finally be transported to the Mirror of Erised, where you can select the sorcerer's stone, and be transported to the bonus scenes.
This is only one of many ways to get access to these deleted scenes and the disc itself is stuffed with extras and hidden bonuses throughout. Simply try to use your remote control and go on a little excursion yourself and you, too, shall see the many features hiding behind pixie dust, papers, boxes and vials.
There’s another hidden feature on the first disc of the set. Insert it and from the Main Menu press the 'right' arrow key on your remote control to highlight the Owl. Press 'Enter' now and you will receive your very own invitation to Hogwarts.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
