The boy who lives on. Review on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Movie

After a two and a half year wait fans of J.K.Rowling’s beloved boy wizard ‘Harry Potter’ have finally got to witness his magic thanks to Warner Brother’s in their latest offering ‘Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone’. A skilful adaptation it is of the book of the very same name, the very first in the series. For those who of you who still haven’t been besotted by the adventures of this precocious boy wizard here is your chance. Get to the bookstores and get yourself a copy and then wait for the movie to play in your local theatres because after you are done reading the book watching the movie is treat not to be missed.

Directed by Chris Columbus, (the clever film maker who gave cinema favorites like ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Mrs.Doubtfire’) the movie is a brilliant rendering of the story.

The story opens with the enigmatic arrival of a baby named Harry Potter at the doorstep of his relatives the Dursleys at ‘number four, Privet Drive’ on a lonely night. He leads a cheerless existence in their home right up to his eleventh birthday when strange events lead him to discover his true providence. Thus begins an adventure of a lifetime as he enters a world he’d only envisioned in his wildest of dreams; the world of ‘Hogwarts’, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he is to train to become a great wizard. A great change it is from his dismal life with ‘Muggles’ (people who don’t believe in magic) like his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and their dud of a son Dudley. He meets a very mixed bunch of characters as the story goes on, the friendly giant Hagrid, the Weasley brothers (of which Ron turns out to be his partner in crime), the over achieving Hermione, the sniveling adversary Draco Malfoy to name a few. The blurb on the back of the book says it all; “ …he finds not only friends, aerial sports and magic around every corner but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him…if Harry can survive it.” Now it wouldn’t be great if I told how the rest of the story goes right!

The movie does full justice to the book right from the very beginning. Why wouldn’t it? J.K.Rowling is one of the executive producers on the film and she controlled all the recreations. It was shot on location in England and the cast comprises of a predominantly British repertoire to keep intact the very essence of the book and to protect its integrity. Scores of young actors auditioned for the coveted role of Harry Potter but the prize went to Daniel Radcliffe a newcomer but a very convincing candidate. He very proficiently captures the innocence, the pathos and the pluckiness of the character. As Hermione Granger, Emma Watson brings together wit, charm and heart. The third angle of this trio Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley is the harbinger of humor and bumbling antics. All three children in their performances are sincere to their fictional personas. The rest of the dramatis personae include familiar faces like Robbie Coltraine (Goldeneye) as Hagrid, Maggie Smith (Sister Act) as Professeor McGonagall, Richard Harris (Gladiator) as Dumbledore, a special appearance by John Cleese ( Monty Python) as Nearly Headless Nick, the ghost.

But the most fascinating feature of all are the special effects that lend to the script the necessary arsenal to bring alive the fictional events. The best scene in the movie is undoubtedly the well-depicted Quidditch match with its slick photography (by John Seale – ‘City of Angels’) and precise adaptation from the description of the game in the book. The original score for the film composed by John Williams has an apt place in the unraveling of each scene be it a scary one that has you on your toes or a funny ones that has you clenching your teeth with laughter.

I’d for once give ‘Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone’ a thumbs-up in my books. Its been a long time since the days of Roald Dahl has any fictional character had captured the imagination and the hearts of readers from around the world whether adults like me or little children. That’s the thing you don’t really have to be a kid to be swept away by this fantastical phenomena. Just let your inhibitions take a back seat and enjoy both the book and the movie for what it truly is , a pleasure to behold.

But there is one thing for sure 'Fantasy fiction' has been ressurected this winter and it is now here to stay.