Watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a fantasy movie released in 2001 and directed by Chris Columbus. It is based on the first novel in J.K. Rowling's bestselling Harry Potter series. The movie stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore. It takes the audience through Harry's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as he discovers his true identity and battles the dark wizard who killed his parents.

The movie begins with an introduction to Harry's life before Hogwarts: his parents were killed by the evil wizard Voldemort, and he was sent to live with his cruel relatives, the Dursleys. However, on his eleventh birthday, Harry receives an invitation to attend Hogwarts, a school for young witches and wizards. With the help of the half-giant Hagrid, Harry makes his way to Diagon Alley to purchase his school supplies, where he first meets Ron and Hermione Granger.

At Hogwarts, Harry and his friends quickly learn to use magic and struggle with the quirks of school life. They are sorted into Gryffindor house, where they meet their head of house, Professor McGonagall, and the wise and enigmatic headmaster, Dumbledore. They attend classes such as potions, transfiguration, and defense against the dark arts, taught by the stern Professor Snape and the eccentric Professor Quirrell.

As the trio navigates their new environment, they also discover a mysterious artifact called the Sorcerer's Stone, which is hidden somewhere in the school. They quickly realize that someone is trying to steal the stone and that it must be protected. Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out to solve the mystery and stop the evil wizard who is behind the plot.

Through a series of magic-laden adventures, the trio encounters obstacles and barriers to their quest, but they also receive help from unexpected sources. They learn about the powerful magic that is within them and about the dangers that they face in the wizarding world. Ultimately, they must summon all of their courage to confront Voldemort and save Hogwarts from destruction.

The movie stays true to the themes and characters of Rowling's beloved books, with a few necessary changes to accommodate the different medium. The visuals are stunning and the special effects are impressive for the time period. The young actors, especially Radcliffe, Grint, and Emma Watson as Hermione, give believable performances that capture the essence of their characters. Harris brings a gravitas to Dumbledore that is fitting for the wise and benevolent mentor.

Overall, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a delightful family movie that captures the spirit of Rowling's magical world. It combines the elements of humor, adventure, and suspense to create a story that is both entertaining and heartwarming. Fans of the book series will appreciate the faithful adaptation, while newcomers will be enchanted by the imaginative world that Rowling created. The movie sets the stage for the rest of the Harry Potter franchise and is a must-see for any fantasy or adventure movie lover.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a 2001 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 65.