Movie Review

MOVIE REVIEW

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Directed By: Chris Columbus
Written By: J.K. Rowling & Steven Cloves
Release Date: Nov. 16th, 2001 by Warner Bros.
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Runtime: 2 hours & 37 minutes
Rated: PG


The movie begins with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall speaking about the death of Harry’s parents. They wonder what to do with baby Harry. The only family that he knew has perished and now he is virtually an orphan. Hagrid brings baby Harry to the Professors and they decide that he should be left with the only family that he has left his mother’s sister, Petunia Dursley, her husband Vernon, and their portly son, Dudley. They all say goodbye and good luck to the baby boy knowing that when he grows up, his life will take a dramatic change.

*Fast forward 11 years*

On Harry’s 11th birthday, he doesn’t look forward to anything in terms of excitement or gifts from the Dursleys. The Dursleys are Harry’s unpleasant relatives who took him in after his parents’ tragic death. They force him to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs, clean everything, wear hand-me-downs from their very overweight son, Dudley, and make him miserable every waking moment.
This year, Harry’s birthday is different. A strange letter addressed to Harry arrives, accompanied by an owl. Both surprised and curious by the delivery, Harry proceeds to open it only to have it snatched it away and ripped apart by his Uncle Vernon. The next day, another letter and owl arrive, only to be shredded by the Dursleys. Everyday more and more letters and owls continue turning up on Harry’s doorstep until the Dursleys decide they can no longer ignore the contents of the letters, flee to a remote hut where they’re sure they won’t be discovered.
Their plan gets blown out of the water when an enormous man crashes into the hut, blowing the door off the hinges and destroying everything within the small house. Hagrid is the man’s name. He is furious with the family for keeping the letters from Harry. The letters were supposed to let Harry know that he was to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is confused by all of this. He has a giant in his living room telling him that he is a wizard and that his parents were a witch and wizard. All of this information comes as a relief though because it explains how strange things have happened over the years.
Hagrid continues by explaining that Harry’s parents didn’t die in a car crash like his relatives had told him and that they were really murdered by Voldemort, an evil wizard who caused the unique lightning scar on Harry’s forehead.
Wanting to rid himself of the Dursleys, sleeping under the cupboard, and hand-me-downs he immediately accepts Hagrid’s offer to go to the Wizarding School. He catches the Hogwarts express at the oddly numbered platform 9 ¾ and his journey begins.
Aboard the train packed with returning students and nervous first years, Harry finds companionship in fellow first years Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. With these friends by his side, Harry begins his adventure at Hogwarts. There he discovers his extraordinary talents and finds comfort and acceptance in his new home and family.


Harry's Journey:
Harry Potter is the main character/hero in this film. He is introduced in the "muggle" or non-magical people world. He receives his call to adventure by Hagrid, one of his mentors. He does not refuse this call nor does he hesitate. He crosses into the special world via the Hogwarts Express where his journey begins. He encounters his tests in trying to gain acceptance by his peers and mentors. His allies are his closest friends Hagrid, Hermione, and Ron. He has numerous enemies, but the main enemy he will face constantly throughout his life is Lord Voldemort,the one who is responsible for the death of his parents and the scar on his forehead. Along his journey in this particular movie, Voldemort is partially in disquise as Professor Quirrell. At first, Harry doesn't know this and throughout the movie accuses another professor of trying to cause him harm when he is really trying to protect him. Harry and his friends find out about a secret stone that is used to make the Elixir of Life. This elixir can revive an almost expended life or sustain life for long periods of time. They realize that the stone is hidden in the school and set out to find it. Along the way they endure various tasks that each of them specialize in. They finally make it to the end and only Harry can enter. Harry soon discovers who is after the stone, Lord Voldemort. He has been sharing a body with Professor Quirrell, who has been the one endangering Harry's life throughout the year. After a long arguement and near death experience, Harry ends up with the stone in his pocket. He wakes up in the medical wing of the school where Headmaster Dumbledore explains alot of the mysterious events that took place. He informs Harry that the stone has been destroyed and that unfortunately Harry must return to the "muggle" world during the summer.

Comments:
I think that this movie follows the Twelve Steps really well. It has a great storyline and great characters. Each of the steps can be easily identified and also the Seven Archetypes can be as well.