‘A faithful adaptation of a brilliant novel’
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is directed by Chris Columbus. Its screenplay is written by Steve Kloves and based off a novel by J.K. Rowling. This film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, and Alan Rickman. Its plot follows a young boy named Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) with a mysterious origin, who is rescued from the neglect of his aunt and uncle. He proves himself worthy while attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. “The Philosopher’s Stone” is the first film in the highly successful “Harry Potter” franchise.
Chris Columbus directs this film with tremendous knowledge of the source material. He stays very faithful towards the book by using a fantastic screenplay. Steve Kloves’ script is a gem; it brings to life interesting and engaging characters. A brilliant cast delve into their characters and do proper justice to them. John Seale’s cinematography is dazzling. From a visual perspective this film is magnificent. The costume designs and sets are highly detailed and absorbing. The ‘Hogwarts’ set is undeniably impressive because of its precision and realism. Even the music for this film is enthralling. John Williams has created one of the most unforgettable soundtracks in the world.
Daniel Radcliffe delivers an amazing performance as Harry Potter. In his first ever leading role, Radcliffe poured his heart and soul into capturing the boy who lived. Not only does he resemble Harry in looks, but he also manages to capture the essence of the character. With spellbinding expressions, he captured angst, childlike curiosity and trauma of a boy discovering his magical identity. Radcliffe’s interpretation of Harry Potter is near perfect.
The supporting cast is sensational, building a magical bond. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are a match made in heaven, capturing magical personalities of Ron and Hermoine. Alan Rickman is remarkable, capturing the severity of a strict professor that students seek to escape. Finally, Richard Harris merits acknowledgment. As Dumbledore, he captures the larger-than-life personality of a character readers adore.
This film is a great adaptation of a brilliant novel, but it’s not without its flaws. Despite the fact that this film is entertaining, the 2 1/2 hour running time is a bit of a stretch. Another major gripe is that the film doesn’t do full justice to the book. There are many events in the book that do not appear in the film. Important advice for any viewer is to read the book before watching this movie. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” is recommended for fans of the source material.
As precious as the lightning bolt scar of Harry Potter, it’s a nostalgic reminder of a powerful piece of literature that cast a magical spell on readers changing the world in a massive way forever.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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