The Special Effects Used
In Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone the director has chosen beautiful CGI and special effects to convey a magical and elaborate world that the characters inhabit.
On a simple level, Columbus uses colour where Harry is in Olivanders to portray an aura of power. Another simple effect is the animation of voldemort in the forbidden forest to create a dark and macabre image.
Where would the Potter film be without its array of Computer Generated creatures and objects. The Sorting Hat, the Troll, the Centaur and The Man with Two faces are beautifully mastered and made to look realistic, complimenting the screen work.
My only negative criticism is the “bodge-job” of the troll wrestling harry. I felt this was poorly done and looks unrealistic.
Loyalty to the Books
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone is a wonderful book and Columbus tries to remain faithful to the books whilst making the movie watchable and cinematic.
However, I felt the absence of some of the “get-to-the-stone” tasks lessened the film, I would have loved to have seen Snape’s potion task in all its glory.
The Choice of Actors
The choice of actors is uncanny with an array of British Best representing the majestic cast of Potter with mannerisms and all.
I felt the strongest Actors were Rickman (Snape), Harris (Dumbledore), Smith (McGonnagal) and Griffiths(Vernon) – this is because they captured the characters just how I imagined and brought a reality to Rowlings work.
The weakest actors were Watson, Radcliffe and Grint, even though they were young a sense of forced emotion was apparent in every scene and realism wasn’t created. If it wasn’t for the great script and add-on characters the film wouldn’t have survived due to the weakness of the three.
The Use of Symbolism
This film is essential a children’s film and thus, subtle symbolism is few and far between. However I observed some interesting ideas.
In Scene one Albus Dumbledore uses the put-outer to extinguish fire, a symbol of hate and the devil. This brings to his character and purifies his personality. This contrasts with the climax of the film – Qurrill summons fire all around which suggests he is expelling hate and darkness.
Visual Appeal
With CGI and advanced effects the films visual imagery was both enriching and beautiful. You can watch a Potter film whilst being blown away with its vivid colours and fascinating set choices.
Hogwarts castle was magnificiently chosen or animated and it looks glorious set on a hill side with a picturesque lake before it. This really captivated me and added to the films overall, elaborate direction.
Plot
Due to loyalty to the Potter book the film carried with it a well constructed plot. However the pacing made the film slightly boring for me, I felt that after the start the film sagged and dragged through to the climax with the extended Diagon Alley scenes and Hogwarts lessons/quidditch scenes. This however was necessary for a build up to later films but it also cut down on the actual main plot.
Music
John Williams, a movie music genius only deepened Columbus’ setting and direction with astounding music. The music paced with the film excellently and made the viewing experience so much more entertaining and exquisite.
Summary
Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone had all the elements of a good film, a nice plot, astounding CGI and a three dimensional cast. The world of Hogwarts never seemed so close when I was watching it for the fifth time. A great film that I never get bored of.
I agree with everything up there. I think Columbus was the better directior out of all of them.
He wasn't bad, but I think Columbus captured the true Magic Feeling