Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

In this essay, I would like to evaluate the first helping of the Harry Potter movie-series which was shown worldwide in 2001. Specifically, I am referring to the movie entitled “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”. The movie is an adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s novel of the same title, which chronicles the childhood adventures of a kid named Harry Potter. In this essay, I intend to evaluate “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by looking at how successful the film was able to entertain the general public, especially youngsters.

Aspects of the First Harry Potter Movie Since the crux of J.

K. Rowling’s novel was about magic, the film’s success was heavily dependent on how well Harry Potter is adequately portrayed as a wizard in control of his magical powers. Thus, the effective portrayal of magical powers throughout the film is the criteria which I employ in my evaluation of the movie. In many ways, the film did not disappoint in this aspect.

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Magic was the defining aspect of Harry Potter – i. e. , from his birth to his journey to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he is portrayed as a character that needs to get acquainted with his innate magical powers.

Along the same vein, magic was the controlling concern of the characters surrounding Harry. The giftedness of the other characters such as Ron and Hermione, as well as his lone enemy Voldemort was also portrayed well in the movie. Which is why, there are many reasons to think the first Harry Potter movie was successful in entertaining its audience because it was able to zero in on use of magic with much flair and fun.

This aspect can be further shown if one compares this particular Harry Potter movie with other films – such as Chronicles of Narnia or Lord of the Rings – that employ magic in a manner that pits two opposing forces (good vs.

bad) against each other. Harry Potter is successful in using this use of contrast as well. For instance, the story of Harry Potter’s survival from the hands of the evil Voldermort was recounted in the movie. In addition, his struggle to emerge victorious from the hands of a bully named Draco highlights the use of magic even more. The use of magic as a way to pit opposite forces makes the movie more interesting. Thus, use of contrast highlights even more the whole point of the movie, which is to entertain the audience with a fair amount of scenes involving magic.

Some reviews about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone however does not subscribe to the idea that the frequent display of magic in the movie makes it sufficiently interesting. According to a writer, the movie is entertaining because it reminds people that the art of movies is not just about portraying wars and strife but is about conveying the message of “peace and plenty” (Bradshaw). In ways more than one, I agree with this assessment. The movie is in fact entertaining because it does not leave the audience with a feeling of anger or anxiety which most action or suspense movies elicit.

I feel though that since the primary audience of this Harry Potter consists in children and youngsters, the frequent use of magical powers still served the movie pretty well. Without an adequate portrayal of magic, I think the movie could have been a monumental blunder, especially when it is compared with the liveliness of its book counterpart. Conclusion I wish to end with the thought that, on account of the frequent use of magical powers throughout the film, the first Harry Potter movie must be called a success because it was able to entertain its primary target audience – the children.

Nothing is more appealing for children than inciting their imagination; and most often, magic belongs to one of their many preoccupations. As a consequence, any film that is able to cater to children’s fascination over magic would end up being a sure hit. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is one of them.

Work Cited

Bradshaw, P. “Harry Potter: A Special Report”. The Guardian, 16 November 2001. Retrieved 14 August 2008 <http://www. guardian. co. uk/film/2001/nov/16/jkjoannekathleenrowling>