REVIEW
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Maggie Smith
Directed by Chris Columbus
Opens Friday, November 16
Check listings
Book holds movie hostage
Harry Potter author and fans get every chapter
The charming, old-fashioned world of Harry Potter is brought beautifully to life in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. But like the character Harry Potter himself, the film's reputation has preceded it.
The motion picture is so faithful to the book it's based on that it fails to have any drama. Harry is practically omnipotent once he is finally released from his tiny room under the stairs and escapes the dreadful Dursley family. The audience (read: book fan) is immersed in a fabulous-looking magical world full of goblin bank tellers, super fast witches' brooms and ghosts that show up in the soup. However, it all just becomes window dressing for the tasks (read: chapters) that Harry must get though so we can see the next movie in the series.
It is kind of like watching CNN’s coverage of anything. This happens, then that happens – there is no real story or character drive, just a series of predicaments. After a very promising beginning it just seems like chapters are being ticked off. "Magic Mirror – check. Troll – check. Baby dragon – check." Director Chris Columbus dutifully makes his list as author J.K. Rowling herself looks over his shoulder.
This should have been a chance for Rowling to tease her devoted audience, give them something to cheer for and not be so cocky about knowing how it is going to end. While it is lovely and magical to look at, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the movie, is just another collectable. |
