Journey beyond your imagination.
The first of my Harry Potter franchise rewind is here! I'm covering Sorcerer's Stone with a review and a ranking. The rankings won't be the same for every single Harry Potter film, because there are different elements that I love about each film. Sorcerer's Stone is the most quotable film in the Wizarding World, so I decided to rank my ten favorite quotes in the film. So here they are.
10. "It's LeviOsa. Not LeviosAR." - Hermione Granger
This quote perfectly sums up Hermione and Ron's relationship. Ron is being an idiot, and, in response, Hermione teaches him how to do it...while also talking down to him. It's a funny scene with a truly iconic Hermione quote in there. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson give their best performances of the film in this scene. It's just fun.
9. "Harry. It's you that has to go on. I know it. Not me. Not Hermione. You." - Ron Weasley
Before Ron courageously sacrifices himself in the epic game of wizard's chess, he gives this inspirational bit of dialogue to Harry. This is the first of many, many moments of Harry being the Chosen One. It's almost the first moment that a serious tone engulfs this movie. Rupert Grint delivers this line with such umph that it just feels powerful. I love it.
8. "I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed. Or worse, expelled." - Hermione Granger
Another iconic Hermione moment comes after the Golden Trio encounters Fluffy for the first time. Hermione gives us the funniest line in the film as she scolds the boys for being irresponsible and leading them straight to Fluffy. The scene is capped off extremely well with Ron's response. It's one of the best moments between these three characters in the entire franchise. It's great.
7. "Mr. Potter. Our new celebrity." - Severus Snape
Snape's first true scene is marked by Alan Rickman's classic performance. The Potions Master barges into his classroom and lectures the students before addressing Harry Potter directly. He turns and says this iconic line, kicking off one of the best anti-hero arcs in film history. I love Snape. And I love his relationship with Harry. And it all starts here, with this single line.
6. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies. But a great deal more to stand up to our friends." - Albus Dumbledore
Despite Dumbledore being insanely biased towards Gryffindor, he gives an awesome quote when he's awarding last-minute points to give them the house cup. He congratulates Harry, Ron, and Hermione for their bravery while stopping Quirrell from stealing the stone...and then he gives Neville an extra ten points for standing up to the trio when they try to sneak out. While I think it's dumb that Dumbledore was gifting Gryffindor the House Cup, it's a really awesome quote and a good setup-payoff.
5. "After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things. Terrible. But great." - Garrick Ollivander
This quote...man. This quote comes right after Harry gets his wand. The phoenix feather in Harry's wand happens to be from the same phoenix whose feather is in Voldemort's wand. It's a great example of the supernatural connection between Harry and Voldemort, and it's topped off by a fantastic quote from Mr. Ollivander, delivered excellently by John Hurt. It has this sinister edge to it that just gives you chills. Great line.
4. "There is no good and evil. There is only power, and those too weak to seek it." - Voldemort
While I don't love Voldemort's inclusion in Sorcerer's Stone, this is a really awesome line. It captures the essence of Voldemort's character perfectly, three movies before he actually appears in full form. This quote paired with the visual of Voldemort's face in the mirror surrounded by fire is awesome. It's the best part of the finale of this film. It truly establishes Voldemort as a scary, powerful threat. I love it.
3. "I'm not going home. Not really." - Harry Potter
The final line of the film sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. After hugging Hagrid and getting ready to board the Hogwarts Express, Harry gazes out for one last look at Hogwarts. Hermione says "Feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?". Harry responds with this beautiful, potent line that encapsulates the magic of this movie perfectly. It's a great way to cap off a great intro to the Wizarding World.
2. "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." - Albus Dumbledore
After Harry discovers the Mirror of Erised, Dumbledore meets him in the room that it resides and explains it to him. The headmaster than tells Harry the dangers of the mirror and lets him know that people have gone mad in front of it. He tells Harry that the mirror will be moved and he must not go looking for it again. He finishes his lecture with this resonant, powerful quote that is just so wise and so...Dumbledore. It's the first of many, many great Dumbledore lines. I love it.
1. "You're a wizard, Harry." - Rubeus Hagrid
The most iconic quote from the Harry Potter franchise is the one that starts it all. It's famous for a reason. This is the line that starts the cultural phenomenon. This is when Harry finds out that he's a wizard. Robbie Coltrane's facial expression and line delivery are so memorable and so iconic. Even more priceless is Daniel Radcliffe's reaction. It's just a great line in a great scene in a great movie in one of the best movie franchises in history. I adore it.