American director Chris Columbus (HOME ALONE) brings the magic of British author J.K. Rowling's beloved best-selling fantasy novel to life in HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE. Eleven-year-old orphan Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) finds his world turned upside down when he discovers that, like his deceased parents, he is a wizard and has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With fellow first-year students Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) by his side, Harry's adventures begin in the rambling castle that is Hogwarts. Vivid special effects make Hogwarts' magic a reality with paintings that come alive, staircases that move themselves, friendly ghosts, and fast-paced Quidditch (the school sport) matches in which students zoom around on their flying brooms. Mixed in with the miracles of Hogwarts are its dark hidden chambers and secrets, which Harry and his friends encounter as they embark on a quest to keep a treasured powerful object from falling into the wrong hands. Staying true to the book with this film adaptation, Columbus follows Rowling's story to the tiniest detail, making it a special treat for readers who were smitten with the novel. Radcliffe is especially engaging as Harry, infusing him with a believable sense of wonderment. The star-studded cast also includes Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, and Robbie Coltrane.
Review 1:
"...HARRY POTTER, the film, looks just as dazzling as readers of Rowling's captivating book might hope..."
Source: USA Today
p.1E 11/16/2001
Review 2:
"...[Mr. Radcliffe] possesses a watchful gravity....Ms. Watson has the sass and smarts to suggest she might cast a spell of her own..."
Source: New York Times
p.E1 11/16/2001
Review 3:
"...A stunning achievement in set design, costumes, make-up, special effects and a well-chosen cast rendering perfectly and vividly an iconic and universally renowned fantasy world..."
Source: Box Office
p.60 01/01/2002
Review 4:
"...Rupert Grint is very good....HARRY POTTER will captivate younger children..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.43-4 01/01/2002
Review 5:
"...The script is faithful, the actors are just right, the sets, costumes, makeup and effects match and sometimes exceed anything one could imagine..."
Source: Variety
p.27-33 11/12/2001
Review 6:
"...A red-blooded adventure movie, dripping with atmosphere, filled with the gruesome and the sublime and surprisingly faithful to the novel....Director Chris Columbus seems to have created a classic..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.6 02/17/2002
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