Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Daniel Radcliffe	Harry Potter
Rupert Grint	Ron Weasley
Richard Harris	Albus Dumbledore
Maggie Smith
Robbie Coltrane	Rubeus Hagrid
Emma Watson	Hermione Granger
Derek Deadman	Tom
Richard Griffiths	Uncle Vernon
Ian Hart	Professor Quirrell
Harry Melling	Dudley Dursley
Fiona Shaw	Aunt Petunia

Director	Chris Columbus
Producer	Chris Columbus; Duncan Henderson
Writer	Steve Kloves; J.K. Rowling
Cinematography	John Seale
Musician	John Williams

Here's an event movie that holds up to being an event. This filmed version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, adapted from the wildly popular book by J.K. Rowling, stunningly brings to life Harry Potter's world of Hogwarts, the school for young witches and wizards. The greatest strength of the film comes from its faithfulness to the novel, and this new cinematic world is filled with all the details of Rowling's imagination, thanks to exuberant sets, elaborate costumes, clever makeup and visual effects, and a crème de la crème cast, including Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, and more. Especially fine is the interplay between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his schoolmates Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson), as well as his protector, the looming Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). The second-half adventure--involving the titular sorcerer's stone--doesn't translate perfectly from page to screen, ultimately because of the film's fidelity to the novel; this is a case of making a movie for the book's fans, as opposed to a transcending film. Writer Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus keep the spooks in check, making this a true family film, and with its resourceful hero wide-eyed and ready, one can't wait for Harry's return. Ages 8 and up. --Doug Thomas