Ah! This film takes me back! I mean yeah I'm only 17 so I'm not really very old but still, I've grown up with this particular film series for most of my life so far. And what with the last Harry Potter film having been released recently, I thought it might be a nice idea to take a little trip down memory lane and review the first instalment of possibly the longest film series (next to the Bond and Star Wars series') of the last 10 years.
Set in a slightly alternate world where magic users (witches and wizards in this case) live secretly alongside normal humans, Philosopher's Stone follows the main character of the series, Harry (a young British boy with tremendous magic potential and an odd scar), as he follows the beginnings of his destiny. As the film begins we are told that somehow, Harry's parents were killed in some terrible incident when he was born. And from that day on he has lived with his cruel and neglectful Auntie, Uncle and (very fat) cousin as well as a peculiar, lighting-fork shaped scar on Harry's forehead. One day on a rainy holiday Harry is visited by A large wizard by the name of Hagrid (but you might as well call him Father Christmas because of how he behaves) and is whisked away to the magic school of Hogwarts to begin his journey to become a great wizard. Now the best thing about this film is how intricate the society of the witches and wizards is and how much information there is in the Harry Potter universe. You aren't just revealed to the 'legends' of magic, but also ways in which the magic-users use their powers to hide themselves and how there are mystical beasts roaming the halls of Hogwarts.
Some of the amazing stuff in the universe of this film can be simple (such as a mail delivery service based around owls) or complicated (a mirror with a strange past that shows anyone's deepest desires). As Harry (played by a very squeaky Daniel Radcliffe) arrives at Hogwarts via a magical train and begins his journey in Hogwarts alongside the equally squeaky Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) he begins not only to learn more about magic and his strange past but also about a powerful stone. A stone so powerful that it could effectivley ressurect the most evil wizard who's ever lived, so you know there's a lot at stake here. On top of having to face a powerful sorcerer at the end of the film and prevent him from using a slightly-average-looking stone of untold power, you also get a real feel that Harry has real trouble fitting in at his first year in Hogwarts. In some places the film jumps forwards four or five weeks to give you a better overview of our hero's progress, and although this has been botched in many films it works well in this one giving a good basis for the audience to be sympathetic towards Harry.
Now talking about Harry, Daniel Radcliffe actually plays him really annoyingly on account of having a squeaky voice when this film was made. The same (unfortunately) can be said of some of the other main characters such as Ron and Hermione. This can be overlooked however by the (like I said earlier) wonderful universe that the film is in and also the headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore (played by the great Richard Harris). Dumbledore is everything that every little kid wishes their headteacher to be like; humourous, kind, strong-willed, clever and above all, looking like a cross between Gandalf and Father Christmas. There are even more rich characters played aptly in the film such as the school's caretaker and Harry's guardian Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), the wonderfully sly alchemy teacher Snape (Alan Rickman) and the snotty-nosed, posh, young wizard Draco (Tom Felton).
Although there is much required of the main character's wits and strengths in the final battle of the film, the main pleasure of watching Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone derives from the second act. This in itself is unusual seeing as how usually when a person sees a Film, the bits they look forward to most are the first and final acts as they tell the most about the story. Now if I'm really honest I can't think of many bad things to say about the film other than the annoyingly squeaky voices of the main characters'. This is a genuinely enjoyable film with good actors, a good plot, great characters and a definite sense of magic about it (haw-haw).
So take my advice and watch this film for old times sakes folks, and even if you haven't seen it (god only knows why after its been around for 10 years) see it anyway because its good even if you're not particularly into the Harry Potter books. So sit back and enjoy this film, that is if you can stand the volume of squeakiness for more than 15 minutes.
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