SEC feature presentation: ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’

By BRIAN KIBBLE

Staff Writer

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone followed the trend of quality film adaptations by becoming a box-office record-breaking event that grabbed a few Oscar nominations along the way.

The film, directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone) and based on the best selling novel by British author J.K. Rowling, is about a young boy (Daniel Radcliffe) who, on his 11th birthday, discovers he is a wizard and will be going to England’s finest wizarding school, Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The actors have done an excellent job of bringing the characters to life. Harry’s friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, are well-portrayed by first-time actors Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. The supporting cast, composed mainly of the teachers of Hogwart’s, includes veteran actors like Richard Harris (The Count of Monte Cristo) and Maggie Smith (Gosford Park), who are excellent as Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, respectively. Robbie Coltrane (007: The World is not Enough) plays Hogwart’s groundskeeper Hagrid, a half-human/half-giant and another of Harry’s friends.

The film is about two hours and 45 minutes long. Despite the run time, it manages to keep the audience’s attention all the way through. The music, composed by Academy Award-winner John Williams, helps the story move along by setting the right mood for each scene without interfering or becoming overbearing. After hearing the score, it is easy to see (or hear) why Williams recieved an Oscar nomination for it.

The screenplay does an excellent job of following the book as closely as a movie script can. Written by Steven Kloves (Wonder Boys), the screenplay brings all the major elements of the plot to the big screen in a flowing story, which, compared to the book, moves a little too quickly, but is still entertaining.

The special effects make the bringing to life of Harry Potter complete. Although current CGI technology has not yet perfected the look of people, seeing the students flying on brooms still looks realistic. The rest of the special effects, which include dragons and other magical creatures, blend seamlessly into the scenes.

Other notable aspects of the film were its other Oscar-nominated aspects—set designs and costumes. The sets, filmed on soundstages and in castles throughout Europe, were beautifully created and selected for the world of Harry and his friends. The outfits, with the exception of the students’ simple black robes, were elegant and brightly colored.

With outstanding performances, dazzling special effects and first-class wardrobe that truly bring the story to life. Whether you’ve read the novel or not, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is an enjoyable must see.