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Harry Potter and
the Sorcerer's Stone
Click
picture to order DVD Widescreen edition.
Also available in the
following formats: DVD (Full Screen),
VHS (Full Screen).
Click your version choices to order.
The Film:
Admittedly, I'm not a major reader of the Harry Potter series. That's
not to say I wouldn't read them if given the chance; I suppose I'm just
too much of a member of the quick-reflexes computer age, to take the time
to sit and read a good novel once and again. Be this as it may, I have heard
enough about the Harry Potter book series to know it sounds excellent, and
judging by the movie, I'm even more inclined to pick up one of these
books, when given the chance. The story, of course, is of a young orphan
named Harry Potter, who soon discovers he is not just any orphan; he is a
wizard! This is good news, since he's spent most of his life with two
truly awful foster parents, who use him mostly as a lackey for their
spoiled son. Now that he is of age, he has been recruited to join
Hogwart's School of Wizardry, to hone his skills. This is a faithful
adaptation of the first book in this saga, where Harry meets friends
Hermione and Ron, first enrolls in the school, and meets the recurring
villain. This recurring villain is important, because Harry
would not be an orphan if it wasn't for him. Harry as an infant baby was
spared in a fateful attack against his parents, and yet is forever cursed with
a magical lightning "scar" on his forehead, so he never forgets. This is obviously a powerful villain, and
not to give anything away; the final battle where you meet him, is the one
scene I would deem too intense for younger children. I know many 6 year
olds --my nephew included-- are begging to see this film. Regardless, if
they're easily scared, I'd recommend caution. This movie
is one of many films recently, to dare to be over two hours. This is
welcome news to fans of the book --who want no detail left out-- yet for those of us who did not read
those books, this film should've been better edited. Other scenes
should've established the characters more, and not just had Hermione
and Ron offer their names, and hope the audience "automatically"
knows all about them. Most scenes seem included only
to appease the avid fans who'd want to see that "well known"
wand shop, as opposed to explaining to the non-reader why this wand shop
is so important. As a result, a major portion of the film seems to lack
that little something extra, even if no scene is "boring" per
se. If you'll pardon the play on words: quite frankly, the middle of the
film could've used more "magic." Regardless,
this isn't to say this film isn't a thrill to watch. It is. It could
easily lead to a very pleasing movie series, which is good news for anyone
who realizes that the James Bond and Star Trek movie series are both
running out of steam. They say Potter may be a mainstay of holiday season
movie watching for up to 6 more years. Given the excellent potential here,
that's welcome news for everyone who ever dreamed of magic, wizardry, or
fantasy-filled adventure in general. The
DVD: While not as
ill-designed as the DVD for Swordfish,
once again the best bonus materials are hidden. Instead of incongruous "passwords"
however, this time you must engage in a merely slightly-tolerable
slideshow "game" to see the deleted scenes: click on the sorting hat to
be selected for a house, get money at the bank, buy a wand, go to four
classes (only one or two are important for the next steps), click on the
"H" in between class icons to go to the third floor, click on
the flute to put Fluffy to sleep, click on the correct door key (hint:
it's near in the middle), click on the correct potion (the one hinted at
in the classes), then click on the mirror. After all that slideshow falderal,
you're finally rewarded with the deleted scenes. WHEW! Of course, it helps to know if
the deleted scenes are worth it to you, so here they are in summary (all
seven of them!). Deleted Scene #1 is another moment when Harry's foster
parents are treating him rotten, where Harry's stepbrother's on his way to Smeltings, while they laugh about Harry
going to some state school. Deleted scene #2 is my favorite, where
stepmom tries to make breakfast, only to have every cracked egg reveal
another Hogwart's invitation. #3 is of Harry musing over the
shopping list for school supplies, when an entry for dragon gloves has Hagrid muse
about how he loves dragons, who are vastly misunderstood. #4 is a brief yet amusing
snippet where Hermione, Ron and Harry, after defeating the mountain troll,
start to notice "what friends are for." #5 has Harry contemplating what he saw in the
mirror, while Ron tries to get his mind off of it. #6 is by far the most
elaborate deleted scene, where the trio contemplate final exams while Ron
is busy sorting his Wizard cards; I'm surprised this was deleted, because
the dialog between them and other Griffendor classmates is quite
inspired. Last though not least, deleted scene #7 is actually an extended
scene, where Snape's initial confrontation with Harry in his potion class
is drawn more thoroughly out. Are these deletions worth the trouble? Well,
let's just say I would've preferred them in a standard DVD menu... Not
that all bonuses (nearly all on disc #2) are this hard to find. The
teaser/trailer, as well as cast biographies, are on disc one, clear as
day. As for disc two, there's a short yet amusing, Myst-like
tour of Hogwarts, which is played separately from the deleted scenes
quest. Likewise for a 16-minute documentary titled "Interviews,"
with several amusing behind the scenes clips (though with the sole flaw,
of being interviews only of the crew, not the cast!). "Hogwarts
grounds" offers insight towards Quiddich, plus an additional tour of
Hagrid's Hut. The "Library" offers books on: 1)the main
characters (in magically animated yearbook style!), 2) conceptual diagrams
for the film, 3) an explanation of Howart's ghosts, and two other books
with minor amusements (one screams at you!). That's about it, though it
would be unfair to say that it isn't enough. Of
course, it truly is enough. I guess I just wanted that little
sprinkle of perfection; a complaint not unlike my small complaint of the
film itself. Why all the falderal for deleted scenes...? Furthermore, why
not interviews of the cast, or better still, casting sessions showing the
stars as they tried for each role? Certainly, seven deleted scenes and a Myst-like
tour of Hogwart's isn't bad. It just isn't everything I expected.
Click
picture to order DVD Widescreen edition.
Also available in the
following formats: DVD (Full Screen),
VHS (Full Screen).
Click your version choices to order.
| All text, Title
graphics, and pix not of reviewed products, are created by Techtite,
copyright 1999-2001; all rights reserved. Picture of DVD cover is used only for the purpose of review (and to make shopping for
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