Movies adapted from young adult novels have been notorious for being terrible or terribly average, with the exception of a few of course. Harry Potter marked the beginning of this renaissance that most people would come to have a love/hate relationship with. Setting aside the numerous train wrecks to come in this genre, lets focus on what started it all. With the amount of magic and wonder put into each and every Harry Potter novel, this series was ripe for the film treatment from the start. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, released in 2000, took everyone by surprise, having a little something for all ages. Here is why I believe this film is still relevant and why it always will be.
The Beginning
From the very beginning of this film, it was certain that the filmmakers were set on telling this story with as much wonder as they possibly could. Directed by Chris Columbus, known previously for films such as Home Alone or Mrs. Doubtfire, it was unclear if he was the right man for the job. Luckily, I believe he was the perfect man for the job, but only for the first two films that he worked on. Once the franchise began to get much dark as it progressed, it definitely needed a much grittier director at the helm. That being said, having kids attend a school where magical wands can lift things, broomsticks can fly, and three-headed dogs exist, this film definitely needed a lighter touch.
Sure, people complain about things being cut out from the book, but in reality, a film can never truly be the same, otherwise there would be about three to four films per novel, which would be extremely tedious with six more to follow. Movies should be abe to stand on their own and in setting up a world where evil surrounds its main character, delivering some thrilling and fun action sequences, slowing down for very crucial character moments, and introducing many characters that will be relevant later on, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is not only a great representation of this story, but I believe the best possible set-up for what is to come.
Casting Perfection
When planning for seven or more films to come, the most crucial part to making these films work was picking the right players. Daniel Radcliffe as the titular character could not have been chosen better and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively, are nothing short of the same. When watching these kids act as though they are all experiencing this for the first time, it is truly unbelievable how real their performances seem. Attending a school of this size and with this much wonder would be amazing to any young kids, but the fact that they act scared and curious all at the same time when the threats arise, is simply amazing.
Following Harry Potter, a young boy who is left on the doorstep of his awful aunt and uncle Dursley, after the murder of his parents, he grows up to find out that he is destined to be a wizard and is shipped off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. Intrigued? If you have yet to see this film and that premise does not interest you, I will sadly say that you are far too late to the game to begin to understand why everyone loves this franchise. Not only is this film magical and scary all at once, but it is also one of the most inventive, probably in all of cinema, as far as accessible movies go.
The Magic
It is one thing to say that this film is filled with magic, but what many people don't see when watching this film, is that the "movie magic" is also very present. Sure, some of the CGI can feel very dated at times, especially when looking the quittich match or the troll in the ladies' washroom, but in the end, these effects were top-notch for 2000, and even the ones that stand-out are saved by an abundance of practical make-up effects and set-design. Aside from the "wizarding" magic that is very much present throughout the entire film, the magic of cinema is gleaming off the screen as well.
The magical elements presented through the story are terrific, in the live-action chess game or the encounter in the final act, but that was all in the novel. The fact that it was able to be translated so beautifully to the big screen is what really makes it something wondrous to behold. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is magical, inside and out.
My Overall, Updated Thoughts
Although it has been over 15 years since the release of this film, it felt right to revisit this franchise from the beginning, with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them arriving this November. Overall, there are moments that have dated, but the terrific performances, magical story, and the loveable world has never faltered over the years, and I do not think it ever will. This is a series that may never end, but will never be remade. I do not think this franchise will ever be tarnished. To me, this film is great, but it is definitely one of the weakest in the franchise. While I do feel that it sets up this world perfectly, there are quite a few cheesy moments and it does hold itself back from getting too serious. This is something the later films immensely improve on. In the end, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a great start to an amazing franchise, even after all these years. To anyone who has yet to view it, unless this genre is not for you, I cannot recommend beginning this journey enough.
Rating: 4/5