Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone | ||||
Chris Columbus Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, John Hurt, Ian Hart, John Cleese 2001 Two-disc set; widescreen; closed caption; English, Spanish audio tracks; Spanish, English subtitles; seven deleted scenes; 360-degree self-guided tour of Hogwarts; new interviews with director Chris Columbus and producer David Heyman; learn how to play Quidditch; meet the ghosts of Hogwarts; cast a spell over a scene in eight languages; mix potions, perform transfigurations, sneak past Fluffy, explore Diagon Alley, have a wand choose you, catch a snitch, and much, much more; theatrical trailers. DVD-ROM PC features: collect Wizard trading cards, be sorted by the Sorting Hat, download screensaver and Remembrall, receive owl e-mails, link to the Web. |
The highly anticipated movie adaptation of J.K. Rowling's best-selling novel about British wizard-in-training Harry Potter does its best to be splashy, sprightly, well-honed excitement for all ages. It's loyal, in plot and characterization, to its source. On its own terms, it offers inspired casting, as well as meticulous art direction that leans heavily on the now-familiar prestidigitation of computer-generated effects. The kid actors who play Harry, Hermione and Ron, student allies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, are keepers, particularly Daniel Radcliffe as Harry. And the grown-ups playing magical faculty members, otherworldly shopkeepers and random spirits are all A-list UK thespians: Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, John Hurt, etc. The film should leave you breathless, and the first half does the trick. But, at two-and-a-half hours plus, it's a dash too long and stately. If it lacks a certain snap, there's enough sorcery here to spell prosperity for the inevitable next installment. | |||
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