Review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) by Lenny R — 06 Dec 2016

Like the book, it has the difficult job of setting up the world, and does so reasonably well. But, while I'm aware it's a movie for kids based on a book for kids, it's just too damn kiddy for my taste.

I suppose it's easy to say in hindsight, but all the directors who helmed instalments after Chris Columbus did a better job than he did. All the students seem to gasp with wonder at every magical thing they see, despite many of them having supposedly been exposed to magic all their lives, and the way the ghosts, etc, are shot suggests that everyone who watches is expected to gasp in wonder as well.

The effects sequences, most obviously the Quidditch match, look more fake than they should have in 2001. John Williams' score is fairly gushing with gee-whiz wonder - the most cloying score of his career.

And I'm a fan. Radcliffe seems to already have the acting thing worked out at this point, but Grint, Watson and Felton still had a lot more on-the-job training to do - though Felton is suitably snotty.

Rowling's writing shines through, but I just think Columbus was a poor choice to kick off the series. A more inventive director (Alfonso Cuaron, for example) would have made a better film.