Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
2001
***
Director: Chris Columbus
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, John Cleese, Ian Hart
On his 11th birthday, Harry Potter learns that he's a wizard, but he is unaware that he is already a legend in the wizarding world. J.K. Rowling's books have sold by the millions, which is probably why the adaptation of the first book doesn't dare to stray from the source material. As a result, the introduction to Harry Potter and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry offers 2½ hours of worldbuilding and not much else. The film nicely captures the sense of wonderment, but it could use a proper story. Followed by The Chamber of Secrets
