Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Cast : </span>Daniel Radcliffe, Richard Harris<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Direction :</span>Chris Columbus<br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Rating :</span> ****<br /><br /><img height="216" width="168" src="-00.jpg" alt="-00.jpg" border="0" /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">ADAPTING a mega-bestseller for the screen can be quite tricky.Besides the issue of fidelity to the source material, there''s also the challenge of meeting the audiences'' stratospheric expectations.Fortuitously, J.K. Rowling''s Harry Potter (over 100 million copies of Potter books sold so far and still counting) is brought to visible life in this $150 million fantasy extravaganza.The inaugural instalment of a planned seven-novel series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer''s Stone catapulted reclusive author Rowling, an Edinburgh-based single mum, to instant literary fame when it was first published (under the title Harry Potter and the Philosopher''s Stone) in U.K. in 1997.There were several directors who evinced interest in filming the book. Eventually Chris Columbus clinched the dream assignment. The family-friendly director of such movies as Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire and Stepmom, was obviously chosen for his gifted ability to direct children. Expectedly, he also crams in oodles of humour, excitement and terrific special effects.In fact, kids who are not yet afflicted with Pottermania are also likely to cheer the exploits of the eponymous 17-year-old moppet.A neglected, Cinderella-like orphan, Harry (Radcliffe) is only too happy to be whisked away from the home of his repulsive relatives. His new home is an enchanting medieval school which teaches magic and wizardry to selected students.Next, Harry confronts a sinister black-cloaked adversary. <br /><br />Aided by a couple of daredevil fellow-students (Emma Watson-Rupert Grint) as well as guidance from a benevolent <img height="194" width="149" src="-01.jpg" alt="-01.jpg" border="0" /></div> </div><div class="section3"><div class="Normal">headmaster (Harris), our little hero triumphs against evil.In the process, the boy displays a natural flair for Quidditch, the school''s speciality sport. A hybrid of basketball, rugby and hockey, the game is played out between two rival teams soaring through the air on broomsticks a truly breathtaking sequence which is indeed the film''s piece de resistance.The performances of the hand-picked cast (apparently approved by the author herself) are uniformly excellent. In small but significant cameos, Maggie Smith as a stern headmistress, Robbie Coltrane as a gigantic but genial groundskeeper and Alan Rickman as the menacing Professor of Potions, also leave a lasting impression.As the young trio with brio, Radcliffe, Watson and Grint demonstrate plenty of pluck and resourcefulness. They embody their difficult roles (after all, their characters are among the most adored in contemporary fiction) to perfection.If we have reservations, it''s because of the occasionally sluggish pace and the lengthy running time of two-and-a-half hours. Also, the entire film seems to merely string together various feats of technical derring-do.Needless to emphasise, Harry Potter fans will have a blast in this fun-filled romp. Others may as well step on board and go along for the ride. After all, ...The Sorcerer''s Stone is so utterly cute and charming that a feel-good time is guaranteed for all, attitude and age no barrier.<br /><br /><br />Click here for <a href="http://clubs.indiatimes.com/iclubs/gc/TOI-GCGroup20.jsp?groupCode=3101&CatName=Hobbies,+Crafts&subCatName=Book+Clubs&groupName=the+harry+potter+fan+club&subCatCode=170&CatCode=163&usrId=null&flnm=null&hmpg_url=null" target="_blank">Harry Potter Fan Club</a></div> </div>