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Rating: So, well then, I'm about to touch the rears of everyone reading this and I am psychologically and spiritually prepared for an avalanche of criticism, curses, and spells. But understand me, a poor Reviewer struggling in a cruel world, I have to exploit opportunities and trends, so, now that we've all more or less recovered after the release of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," I'm preparing to Write the blessed review on the Philosopher's Stone, the film (including "The Chamber of Secrets") of the most wrongly underestimated film series, and I (despite not being a fan of Harry Potter, but I do like fantasy) would like to humbly attempt to review this film properly, impartially. I offer my sincerest apologies to those who can't stand Harry Potter anymore (and who can blame them), but I have to do it. OK... yes!
So, for those who don't know, we are in the presence of the first film adaptation of the famous literary series "Harry Potter," and, look at that, it starts with the first episode, "The Philosopher's Stone." Ever since the release of the book in question (1996), there were already murmurs about an imminent cinema version of Hogwarts (the school where wizards learn magic). Then, like a good company, AOL Time Warner Bros bought the film rights to the work for a small sum... like ten million... dollars. But once you buy the film rights, you have to make the film sooner or later, and certainly, you don't let the producer make it. But we know that sometimes the devil wears Prada, sometimes Warner Bros. Because someone in the production had the very economical but profitable idea of condensing "The Philosopher's Stone" and the second episode ("The Chamber of Secrets") into a single film (!!) drowned in more Hollywood-style special effects than ever, keeping the screenplay and professional director as a third, fourth choice option.
Thanks to the author Joanne Kathleen Rowling this did not happen: it would have been sacrilege, an awful cake, a liquid pudding, a... a mess, trifles, and pinwheels!! So, a film where the protagonists are 11 years old, who do you entrust it to? To someone who understands, elementary. So the choice falls on Chris Columbus, a specialist in children's films. Although rather lacking technically, Columbus has a real knack for young actors, making him perfect for finding the lucky alter-ego of eleven-year-old Harry Potter. Today he is seen (I'm talking about Daniel Radcliffe, of course) both in cinemas and theaters (Equus) and... my God, there isn't a fifteen-year-old girl who doesn't know something about him or who, secretly from her Catholic parents, idolizes him and offers him animal sacrifices. The screenplay, on the other hand, is entrusted to good old Steve Kloves, who will shape the film in the image and likeness of the book... entirely. Indeed, Columbus's films on Harry Potter, to the delight of purists, are the most faithful to the original work of them all. Pre-production proceeds quickly (even after finding Harry's friends: Ronald Weasley/Rupert Grint and Hermione Granger/Emma Watson), as the investment is very secure and Warner (for once) doesn't skimp on money. Thus, they reach post-production without a year passing. And here the true quality and brilliance of the work are measured. I've always said, if there's one fundamental thing to recognize in Columbus and his staff, it's that they "created" Hogwarts. They managed to make the previously only imagined image of the magical world physical. No Harry Potter film has ever managed to portray the school of magic and environments as well as "The Philosopher's Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets," so much so that the peak will be reached precisely with "The Chamber of Secrets."
The choice of Columbus is also of fundamental importance for the music factor (which was rightly nominated for an Oscar, like the set design): in fact, the director recruits an old partner in crime, the excellent John Williams. I believe that no Harry Potter composer succeeding Williams managed to personalize Harry's magical world so well. And who does not remember the famous "Hedwig's theme," which immediately suggests, to both young and old: "This is Harry Potter." A courageous choice (which I fully share) of Columbus Christopher Columbus was then not to go overboard with special effects (despite having a bunch of technicians from that sacred monster of SFX, George Lucas’s ILM, in tow) and to give more space to the film's artistic side. In fact, the main criticisms (in my opinion, unjustifiable) expressed by the public about the film concern the limited and outdated use of visual effects. Although perhaps the troll scene could have been better. But otherwise, the film does not disappoint. If the a bit slow editing can bore in some points, the emotions and good feelings are all there, as well as several action scenes and good performances by the actors, surprisingly, both young and adult. The set design and photography I won’t even touch, they are what is expected and even more. An excellent job was truly done there.
Weak points of the film? Perhaps watching it again today (with Harry the Teenager) it might seem a bit childish (Columbus uses children the same way Spielberg does: treacle galore) and maybe a bit boring in some points. But as I repeat, the emotions and suspense are there. We must also consider that someone has to make the first film, and therefore the major accusations should fall precisely on this one, even if well made. Then you watch "Eragon" and maybe understand that "The Philosopher's Stone" wasn't such a mess. Indeed, as I say, a product that stands out from the crowd, also for its low megalomania (can the same be said of "The Prisoner of Azkaban" or the horrible "The Goblet of Fire"???). In the end, the Harry Potter episodes are a maturation journey, so it's right for the first movie to be childish.
In the end, it is a film that succeeds fully in its intent: to entertain (and fill the pockets of the producers, who must eat, huh!). Well, I would say I've finished, I've said everything. I am ready: Let the stoning begin.
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