"You're a wizard, Harry."

In the first installment of the famed Potter series, we're introduced to Harry Potter, an orphaned boy who enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.

So, this is one of those rare occasions where I do a review for a movie that I have actually seen before. The exception being that it’s been roughly 20 years since I’ve seen this particular film. I’m very much a stranger to the world of Harry Potter, having only read the first book, and seeing on the first movie. I’m using this downtime to revisit the franchise and see what the hype is about. One of the biggest things I can say about the Sorcerer’s stone, is how the special and visual effects have failed to hold up in the past 20 years. I don’t look down too harshly for that, it’s one of those aspects that comes with the territory that is filmmaking, I suppose. Plenty of very noticeable CGI and green screen, but how else are you going to make a movie like Harry Potter, especially in the early 2000’s? I know for a fact that the franchise grows darker and darker with each passing film. I’m very excited to get to that point of the series. As for the first entry, it was nice to get reacquainted with the cast and characters once more.

I managed to see this movie upon its initial release 19 years ago, and since then naturally, My cinematic palate has grown immensely. It was easy for me to pick up some of the more obscure actors who show face, such as Fiona Shaw who plays Harry’s asshole Aunt. I do believe this was the movie to introduce me to numerous veteran actors such as Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane and Richard Harris. Seeing how this is a big screen adaptation of a rather lengthy novel, the film, which has a great deal to unpack story wise, does a fine job staying true to the source material. The movie never gets boring and of course is filled with wonder and whimsy. It is a solid introduction into the franchise and I’m excited to delve  into more of what the series has to offer. Of course this film was the starting off point for our three main actors careers. It would seem that in their adult years now, their efforts to shed their wizarding world personas, years later are futile. This is clearly a good series to be a part of and it’s not the worst thing ever to be known as Harry Potter. The performances throughout are beyond solid, with my stand out being Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. I don’t know what more I can say honestly. It’s straightforward children’s fare and it was nice to revisit this movie once again. Come for the cast, come for a franchise as a whole, if you’re a fan, or even if you’re not a fan, and want something new to check out. This is a Ricky Nixx film.

Year: 2001

Director: Chris Columbus 

Writers: J.K. Rowling (novel), Steve Kloves (screenplay) 

Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris