Let the magic begin.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (also known as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone) is a 2001 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus, written by Steve Kloves, produced by Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films, and 1492 Pictures, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is based off of J.K. Rowling's 1997 novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. It was nominated for Best Original Score, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design, but did not win any. This is the first film in the Harry Potter franchise. It was followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
"You're a wizard, Harry." - Rubeus Hagrid
Plot
When eleven-year-old Harry Potter discovers he is a wizard, he embarks on an adventure to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he makes friends, learns about magic, and encounters a darkness that has haunted him since his parents were murdered.
My Favorite Part of Sorcerer's Stone
The first entry in the Potter franchise is fun. And that's the main thing it has going for it. This is a highly entertaining, faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's novel. It's filled with awe and wonder. Chris Columbus makes this world feel truly magical. And that's the best part of it. The production design is fantastic. The film is dripping with this sense of astonishment and amazement that an eleven-year-old would have if he entered the Wizarding World. The characters are all fun and memorable. The world-building is fantastic. The best part of Sorcerer's Stone is experiencing the Wizarding World for the first time. And that's an experience you only get from this movie.
My Least Favorite Part of Sorcerer's Stone
While entering the Wizarding World carries this entire movie to being good, it isn't great. The actual plot of Sorcerer's Stone is pretty thin. The first hour (really maybe even the first hour and a half) of the movie is devoted to exploring the world and fleshing out the characters. The words "sorcerer's stone" aren't said until an hour and thirty-seven minutes into the film. Beyond that, the dialogue isn't always great. There are plot holes and clunkiness in the execution. But none of it really matters that much, because you're so invested in Hogwarts and the world around you that you don't notice it.
Why Sorcerer's Stone is Really Good
The Wizarding World is a fantastic place that is truly amazing to explore for the first time, and Sorcerer's Stone nails that aspect of it. From Hogwarts itself to Gringotts to characters like Snape and Dumbledore or Malfoy and Neville, this film has so many memorable elements. It's an absolute joy to watch this magic come to life on the big screen. It's topped off by Chris Columbus's wonderful direction and surprisingly solid performances from our kid actors. Watson was 10. Radcliffe was 11. Grint was 12. That's insane that they give that good of performances when they are that young. This movie just works. It isn't perfect. But it works.
The Hogwarts Evaluation
Like the Disney movies, I'm going to evaluate the Potter films on another scale alongside my normal one. As a Harry Potter film, Sorcerer's Stone is great. The production design is top-notch. The visual effects aren't great, but that's because it was a product of it's time. They get better throughout the series. The wizardry and action in the film is also fun. This is the first time you get introduced to all of the staples of the Wizarding World from Diagon Alley and Quidditch to chocolate frogs and moving pictures. It's the first. So it gets a high score here.
I will give this a Ravenclaw.
THE HOGWARTS SCALE
Gryffindor (Top Tier Potter) Ravenclaw (Great Potter)
Hufflepuff (Good Potter)
Slytherin (Okay Potter)
Death Eater (Bad Potter)
The Wizarding World: 10/10
Spells and Creatures: 9/10
Magical Artifacts: 9/10
Action: 7/10
Production Design: 9.5/10
Final Thoughts and Score
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fantastic introduction into the Wizarding World. There may not be a great plot here, but you'll be so wrapped up in this fantastical, fun world that it doesn't really matter.
I'll go Savory here. Age range is 6+.
SWEET N' SOUR SCALE
Sweet (Great)
Savory (Good)
Sour (Bad)
Moldy (Terrible)
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone"
Fun Factor: 8.5/10
Acting: 7/10
Story: 6.5/10
Characters: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Directed by Chris Columbus
Rated PG for frightening themes and images, thematic elements
Released on November 16, 2001
2 hours and 32 minutes
Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter
Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley
Emma Watson as Hermione Granger
Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid
Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore
Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall
Ian Hart as Quirinus Quirrell / Lord Voldemort
Richard Griffiths as Vernon Dursley
Fiona Shaw as Petunia Dursley
Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy
Harry Melling as Dudley Dursley
John Cleese as Nearly Headless Nick
Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick
David Bradley as Argus Filch
Julie Walters as Molly Weasley
Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom
Devon Murray as Seamus Finnigan
Alfred Enoch as Dean Thomas
James Phelps as Fred Weasley
Oliver Phelps as George Weasley
John Hurt as Garrick Ollivander
Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley
Chris Rankin as Percy Weasley
Sean Biggerstaff as Oliver Wood
Jamie Waylett as Vincent Crabbe
Joshua Herdman as Gregory Goyle
Leslie Phillips as The Sorting Hat