Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
First Potter movie is a magical ride but also intense.
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Based on 152 parent reviews
inappropriate for most
Unreported swear word
What's the Story?
When HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE begins, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is an orphan who lives with the awful Dursleys, his aunt, uncle, and cousin. On his 11th birthday, Harry receives a mysterious letter, but his uncle destroys it before he can read it. Letters keep coming, and the Dursleys panic and hide away on a remote island. But they're found by Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), a huge, bearded man with a weakness for scary-looking creatures. It turns out that the letters were coming from Hogwarts, a boarding school for young witches and wizards, and Harry is expected for the fall term, so Hagrid whisks him off to begin his new life as a wizard in training. On the train to Hogwarts, Harry meets his future best friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson). When school begins, things really get exciting, with classes in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, a sport called Quidditch (a sort of flying soccer/basketball), a mysterious trap door guarded by a three-headed dog named Fluffy, and a baby dragon named Norbert. Throughout the year, Harry adjusts to his magical life and begins to come to grips with his famous status in the wizarding world and what he represents to the darker forces there. He also learns some important lessons about loyalty and courage.
Is It Any Good?
This first film in the Harry Potter series is filled with visual splendor, valiant heroes, spectacular special effects, and irresistible characters. It's only fair to say that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is truly magical. The settings manage to be sensationally imaginative and yet at the same time so clearly believable and lived-in that you'll think you could find them yourself, if you could just get to Platform 9 3/4. The adult actors are simply and completely perfect. Richard Harris turns in an excellent performance as headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Maggie Smith (whose on-screen teaching roles extend from The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie to Sister Act) brings just the right dry asperity to Professor McGonagall, and Coltrane is a half-giant with a heart to match as Hagrid. Alan Rickman provides shivers as potions master Professor Snape, and the brief glimpse of Julie Walters (an Oscar nominee for Billy Elliott) will make you glad you'll be seeing more of her in future movies. And the kids are all just fine, though here they're mostly called upon to look either astonished or resolute.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Harry Potter book series that inspired Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and the other movies. Do you like the books or movies better?
Which themes from the first in the series pop up again in later installments?
What do you think about Harry and his friends going away to school? Would you ever want to do something like that?
How do Harry and his friends demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, and courage in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters: November 16, 2001
- On DVD or streaming: May 28, 2002
- Cast: Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint
- Director: Chris Columbus
- Studio: Fine Line Features
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Book Characters , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths: Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 152 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some scary moments and mild language
- Last updated: June 1, 2024
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