Favorite Franchises: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Directed by: Chris Columbus


Plot Summary: Harry Potter is an unassuming, average little boy, living with his horrible Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, and his spoiled cousin Dudley, the Dursleys. One day, Harry receives his first bit of mail, much to the horror of the Dursleys, so they destroy the letter and all others that show up on their property. On Harry's eleventh birthday, he is visited by a gigantic man named Rubeus Hagrid, who informs Harry that he is a wizard and that he has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is at this school where Harry will learn how to cast spells, brew potions, play Quidditch, meet his two best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, and solve the mystery of the Sorcerer's Stone and who is trying to steal it.


Last Friday, the character of Harry Potter celebrated his 35th birthday, so the wife and I planned an amazing tribute to a book and film character that has been a large part of our lives and millions of others' since 1997 when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone hit bookstores everywhere. In 2001, the character's popularity grew even further when the film adaptation was released (and was my introduction to the story). Compared as our generation's Wizard of Oz or Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter has become THE fantasy franchise of the new millennium and there's no better way for me to wish Harry Potter a Happy Birthday than look at the journey it took to make 7 bestselling books into 8 blockbuster movies. This journey requires me to look at the Ultimate Editions of all the films, so that I can look at the full behind the scenes process. So scattered among the next 8 reviews will be in-depth looks on the main characters of the films, as well as some special attention to the franchise's greatest supporting characters, along with spotlights on the creatures, the music, the effects, and so much more. So let's start the magic by looking at the film that started it all: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Daniel Radcliffe was cast as Harry Potter, in a role that could easily be looked at long-term as both a blessing and a curse, but for now, we'll look at his performance in the first film. I really like Harry in this movie, and a lot of that is from Radcliffe's performance. He brings a genuine nature to Harry, but makes sure not to make him a complete goody good. He has moments where he gets angry, sad, even selfish, and we don't fault him for it because he's a kid. He's constantly growing, constantly learning from his actions and mistakes. In the first film, Harry particularly serves as a window to the world of witches and wizards to the muggles sitting in the audience. When he learns about a new creature or character, so does the audience. When he tours Hogwarts for the first time, so do we. When he experiences Quidditch for the first time, when he learns about spells and potions, when he discovers the mystery behind the Sorcerer's Stone, well you get the idea.

Harry's first friend at Hogwarts is Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint. Ron is definitely the comedic relief of the main trio, but he definitely finds usefulness later on in the film. Once he actually opens his mind, he is able to conjure up spells and even displays a fondness for Wizard's Chess. Harry and Ron also befriend brainy student Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson. Serving as the expert of books and spells among her friends, Hermione is a know-it-all who can come across as annoying at first, but earns her keep with Harry and Ron by proving she is capable of bending the rules for a good cause. These two are definitely great supporting characters who are loyal to Harry, and will have a lot more development as the series progresses, but here they have a very solid introduction and it's understandable why Harry would choose them to be his closest friends at Hogwarts.

It's time to spotlight one of my favorite professors at Hogwarts, Professor Minerva McGonagall, played by Dame Maggie Smith. Not featured as prominently throughout the rest of the films as she should be, McGonagall has always been one of my favorite Hogwarts professors because of her great combination of sternness and kindness. You can see scattered throughout the film that she genuinely cares about Harry, Ron, and Hermione, as she is quick to help them or reward them when they succeed. Think about it. It's because of McGonagall that Harry joins the Quidditch team and gets his first broomstick. However, she does know how to have fun in embarrassing and punishing others, like when she chews out Harry and Ron for being late to her class. There's definitely a warmth to McGonagall, but hides it pretty well over a scolding demeanor, and that's a real talent that I completely credit to Maggie Smith.

Another character with warmth and intimidation is Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, played in the first two films by Richard Harris. Dumbledore's intimidation isn't through a rough demeanor, but rather a prestigious reputation. He's already held to the utmost standard of being one of the greatest headmasters that Hogwarts has ever seen. That's what Harry is told first, so he definitely arrives to Hogwarts with those expectations. But when he has his moments with Dumbledore in the film, Dumbledore exhibits both warmth and wisdom as a proper mentor figure for Harry to go to. There's a look that Harry gives Dumbledore at the end of the film, and you can really feel that emotion because it makes sense given the quality of their interactions. Sadly, Harris passed away shortly before Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was released, so his time as Dumbledore was brief. But, his time should not be forgotten, as he was an extra bit of magic that helped make the film a success.

Can you imagine the amount of stress and pressure it took to make Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone into a film? From the casting, to the storytelling, to the set and costume designs, to the effects. Everything needed to find a way to connect to the audience so the audience could connect to the film. The success of the first movie in a franchise is always important because it gives the studio permission to green light the rest of the franchise. If Sorcerer's Stone was a critical and financial disaster, then it would seem pointless to try and make the other 6 books into movies. Thankfully, the film was praised upon its initial release and it put plans into motion for making Chamber of Secrets immediately after the film premiered in London. While changes have been made throughout the franchise, Sorcerer's Stone laid the groundwork for the actors and filmmakers to work on for the next 10 years.


Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

A lot of fans have turned their backs on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, in favor of the darker tone established in the later films, but I've always really enjoyed this one ever since I was a kid. The film that introduced the world of Harry Potter to a larger audience offers three compelling and likable child characters, a ton of accomplished actors playing the adults, and plenty of atmosphere to bring the magic of Harry Potter to life on the big screen. The recommendation portion of the entire franchise will be saved for the end of Deathly Hallows - Part 2, but if you're starting the series for the first time, Sorcerer's Stone definitely gets the franchise up and running on a good first impression.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and movie images are copyrighted by Warner Bros.