Would You Pay $112.50 To See Harry Potter? Kick Me ... I Did!!!

Time seemed to have stood still in my household over the past few days. No matter what we did, it seemed like 1:15 pm, November 16th would never arrive. Why 1:15pm? Why November 16th? It was the exact time and date of when we would be embarking on our first journey into the mystical world of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I swore I wouldn’t let myself get sucked into the media hype and be one of “those people” that stood in line for hours on end to get tickets, then another line to get into the theater, another for concessions and then yet another to get into the actual movie. Just like Star Wars and Toy Story, I broke the rules and turned into a kid for a few hours – standing in lines, forking out obscene amounts of money for stale popcorn and a mouthful of soda.

The boys hadn’t really gotten into the Harry Potter craze until they saw the Lego magazine introducing the sets about two months ago. Still, they weren’t concerned with the story as much as they were with the introduction of new pieces. All that changed about a week ago when I purchased all the Harry Potter books I could get my hands on when Barnes & Noble had them on sale [30% off]. My oldest took control of the books and diligently read five to ten pages to the other boys every night. Before long, it was twenty to thirty pages a night until I found them all huddled under a make shift tent in the playroom, flashlights blazing and imaginations running rampant. It was all I could do to choke back the tears, once again realizing that my babies were growing up.

When taking four boys to a movie, on opening day nonetheless, you have to have a plan. This plan is not carved in stone since most of the time the end result is nothing like what was originally planned. Today was no exception. Instead of having four boys I had seven. I was more than happy to take the three other boys with me, let’s just say their parents think that money is everything and work 50 + hours per week and leave the ‘child raising’ to the nanny.

We packed up and headed to the mall. The utopia of the modern masses where recycled air and holiday Muzak lull you into a spending frenzy of overpriced, unneeded and useless items. But I had just cause to enter this bastion – movies that started every thirty minutes plus matinee prices for the kids. Still, this was not going to be a cheap thrill. The total damage was $112.50 for 7 kids tickets [$5.50 each], 1 adult ticket [$6.00], 7 popcorns [$4.00 each], 7 sodas [$3.50 each], 3 boxes of candy [$3.00 each] and my nachos [$3.50]. This was just the first trip I am counting, I snuck out a few times for supplies. I was going to fall in love with this movie damn it – whether I liked it or not.

I am not sure if this is the case for all theaters, but we had about 15 minutes of previews – and believe me, 15 minutes was a very generous estimation. The crowd was getting restless and with each preview you could see them get a little more agitated. Seeing as how it was about a 10 to 1 rations [ten kids for every parent] – we were out numbered and could have easily been overtaken had the sugary snacks kicked in.

When the lights dimmed, it seemed like we were transported to another time. Not a single sound could be heard in the theater – every child was literally spellbound - sitting on the edge of their seats. Who am I kidding? I was going through the same thing. Since I only made it through the first thirty some odd pages of the book, I was anxious to learn the story of the Sorcerer’s Stone as well as Harry Potter. Looking back, I am kicking myself for not reading the book first so I could compare it to the film. Alas, I will now have to read the book, knowing most of the story.

In The Darkness, The Story Unfolds

For those of you who haven’t read the book or seen the film yet, the beginning of the film provides you with the groundwork of the plot. Harry Potter’s parents, Lily and James Potter, are killed by Lord Voldemort, but it isn’t until later that you learn why. The scene between Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall sets the tone for the first part of the film. From there it progresses to the Dursley household on Privet Drive. The home of Vernon, Petunia, Dudley Dursley and of course Harry Potter. From the first scene you can tell that Harry’s character is pretty much unwanted in the Dursley household. Ordered to make breakfast, he carries out his tasks without the slightest hesitation. Even worse, Harry has noting to call his own except the few possessions he keeps in his bedroom – no bigger than a closet under the stairs.

Dudley’s birthday calls for a trip to the zoo, which is where Harry has his first encounter with the craft. A Brazilian snake, bred in captivity, seemed to share the same caged life as poor Harry. All alone in a small room, people banging on the walls trying to get you to do tricks – it’s really no wonder that the two made eye contact and then started a conversation. When Dudley notices the snake is doing more than just laying there he rushed over, knocks Harry out of the way and proceeds to, once again, bang ion the glass. Harry, being angered, looks at the glass enclosure and all of a sudden the glass disappears and the rolly polly Dudley lands face first in the snakes lair. While the snake could have easily had a feast on Dudley, he chose to make an escape for greener pastures, but not before slithering his thanks over to Harry.

Vernon, Harry’s uncle, knew his sister-in-laws past with witchcraft and refused to acknowledge it. That is, until the letters started to arrive. At first it was one letter, then two and before long multiples, all delivered by owls. Even though they were addressed to Mr. H. Potter, The Cupboard under the Stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, Uncle Vernon intercepted and destroyed every last one of them. When the letters started to arrive in the hundreds and take on a magical persuasion, Mr. Dursley packed up the family and vowed to put an end to the letters from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

If anything is meant to happen, then it will. Without fail, Harry’s location is once again revealed. This time no letters arrive, but rather a large, oafish man named Hagrid. With a heart three times the size of his shoes, he arrives to escort Harry to his destiny, Hogwarts. Neither Petunia nor Vernon wish to stand in his way after Hagrid ‘subtly’ suggests that they back off. Dudley is given a very nice gift from Hagrid, but I’ll leave that as a surprise. :] I fully expected Hagrid and Harry’s characters to bond a little more than they did in the film; while they had a friendship that was strong there was no favoritism toward Harry over the other students [at least that is the way I took it].

Next stop, Diagon Alley. This was your first look at how detailed the film is. The people walking through the streets, the background noise and music, the detail to every scene – simply flawless. Diagon Alley is the place to shop for those back to school wizards in your life. Robes, wizards hats, books, cauldrons and of course a magic wand. This brings us to an awesome scene between Mr. Ollivander, played by John Hurt, and Harry. Let’s just say this, you can’t just pick up a wand and wave it around.

Diagon Alley is a real marvel. As I said, it’s extremely detailed but it isn’t until you come out of the theater that you realize all of the work that must have gone into the make up, scenery, rehearsals and camera work. The people on the streets and the conversations they are having, the goblins waddling through the halls of Gringott’s, the attention to the language and dialect. It’s all these things and more that make this more than just a book turned into a film, but rather a full-scale production that deserves a mighty applause.

Off to Hogwarts Leaving on track 9 ¾’s is the train to Hogwarts. Finding the track is a bit harder than it sounds and requires a leap of faith, and a running start doesn’t hurt. I’ll be careful not to give away too much of the film but then again, I can talk a rock into submission. It’s during the train ride that Harry meets two of his classmates, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. After a few bumps and misjudgments, it’s evident that the three will become best friends.

One of the most breathtaking scenes is the first view of Hogwarts from the prospective of the ‘first years’ point of view. When they are traveling from the train station to the school via boat, the wonder and amazement on the students faces is only matched by that other the viewers of the film. But don’t think it’s all glitz and glitter – serious learning is at hand – but first you need to get sorted. The sorting hat is one of the more mystical elements in the film, this is where the ‘first years’ [new students to Hogwarts] get placed in one of the four respective houses; Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. This is also where you meet some of the faculty and members of the staff.

Harry has a reputation; one that fast precedes his presence. It seems no matter where he goes, people say his name as if he is royalty. Hogwarts is no exception, but here he has Slytherin House to content with. The dark and sinister looking Professor Severus Snape and Harry make eye contact – which sets the stage for events to come. But remember, all is not as it seems. Harry, Ron and Hermione are all sorted to Gryffindor House and so their schooling begins.

Through the classes and playful games evil is brewing in the underbelly of Hogwarts. What else would you expect from an establishment that has a three headed dog named Fluffy, candles that float in the dining area, a mysterious ogre that shows up in the dungeon and meals that appear from no where? Harry, Ron and Hermione all decide to break the rules and do some snooping – the result is finding out that the Sorcerer’s Stone is in grave danger. The storyline progresses from there and it isn’t until the last ten minutes of the film that you find out the true villain’s identity. I’ll end the synopsis there since I really hate to give away the ending of the film.

Some other scenes that are worth a mention; the amazing goblins at Gringott’s, the entire under dwelling and vault scene under Gringott’s, the first flying lesson with Madame Hooch and Draco Malfoy, the secret of Professor Quirrell and Hagrid’s baby dragon.

Personal Favorite Scene

Quidditch

This has to be one of the best scenes in the film – at least from my point of view that is. Earlier in the film Wood is asked to look after Harry and cultivate his game skills. He is given the role as Seeker in the game due to his exceptional abilities. The game is like a combination of football, soccer and baseball except you are flying on broomsticks at high rates of speed. Harry is a Seeker and his job is to try and find the Golden Snitch, which automatically wins the game as well as being rewarded with 150 points. If only all sporting events were this filled with excitement!

The Cast

Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe

Not exactly a dead ringer for the character portrayed on the cover of the books but he gave an amazing performance nonetheless. Power packed performance with emotion and dedication without being too drawn out or obnoxious. He will also be playing Harry Potter in the second film, The Chamber of Secrets, due out in 2002.

Ron Weasley Rupert Grint

A somewhat clumsy wizard but dedicated friend, Ron shows his friendship to Harry on more than a few occasions. He’ll also be returning as the same character in the next film.

Hermione Granger Emma Watson

A little rough around the edges but with a heart of gold, she is a scholar of the craft and isn’t afraid to use it. She has incredible wit and has some very good one liners in the film. Along with Daniel and Rupert, she will also be in the next film.

Professor Severus Snape Alan Rickman

I doubt anyone else could have played this part so effectively. The only other person I could see doing this character would be Gary Oldman. I spent a large portion of the film disliking The Professor, but as I mentioned before, it’s important to remember that sometimes things are not what they seem.

Mr. Ollivander John Hurt

Even though Mr. Ollivander was only in the film for about three minutes, his character really laid the groundwork for the feel of the film – “old worldish” without being too much of a drag.

Is It Really That Long?

Yes, in fact it’s two hours and twenty two minutes long and that does not include the previews. The film moves along at a nice pace and unless you are in really uncomfortable seats the time will seem to just fly by – like magic [I have been holding that back the entire review and could no longer contain myself]. I didn’t see one child squirming, asking to leave or making any type of scene so chances are that if you take the little ones to see this at a day time viewing it should be smooth sailing. The nighttime shows might be a bit too much for them, especially if they have an early bed time.

The Rating

PG-13 is the rating that the big wigs slapped on this. Yes there was some violence but overall it was a suitable movie for kids 6 and up. I had some real issues with the smaller kids [3 – 4] being there – were they Harry Potter fans or just dragged along with the rest of the family? There’s no nudity, drug use or sex and while some people comments on the ‘foul language’ I really can’t seem to recall anything that stood out as offensive to me.

The Dreaded Word

Witchcraft There. I said it. I could hardly believe that there were people picketing outside the theater. We were told that we were going to Hell for seeing the film, for it is the devils work. No, it is a movie, based on a book. I don’t see people picketing outside films about the KKK or the rise and fall of rock stars. I don’t see people picketing outside Star Trek conventions or gun shows. But mention the word magic without David Copperfield in the next breath and all of a sudden you are going to Hell, do not pass go, do not collect $200.00.

I had no hesitations about taking my kids to see this film, because it is just that, a film. I doubt any of them will be asking for a magic broom this holiday season, nor do I think they will be making magic potions in the basement or playing with a cloak of invisibility. How do I know this? Because my children are grounded in reality, they know that this is all movie magic and they know the difference between the two.

The Wrap Up

On many levels this film was spectacular but it does have a few minor flaws. From what I read in the book, there are some scenes that are ‘rearranged’ – but as I said earlier, I only made in through the start of the book. Some critics gave this an immediate thumbs down, others thumbs up. And then there are the critics that must have been failed actors in some obscure college that feel the need to crush any film that comes along that doesn’t star Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan or feature some ‘shoot ‘em up’ plot. They are missing out on a wonder, creative and emotional ride.

I’d recommend this for kids over 6 – and that’s only due to the loud bursts during action scene, potential nightmares from Fluffy and some of the characters attitudes. If you are a parent that feels that seeing this movie is a duty rather than a pleasure, you might just find yourself the only person not completely captivated by the film. Give it a change and let it grow on you. I’m not sure what the box office take on this will be – but rest assured it will be impressive. The show we went to was almost sold out [minus twenty some odd seats] and all of the evening shows were sold out due to advanced ticket sales. Saturday and Sunday evening shows were listed as “going fast” so if you are looking into seeing this film this weekend, see if your theater offers online ticket sales.

If you are even remotely curious about the Harry Potter craze, you owe it to yourself to see this on the big screen. It will be a long, long time before this is released on DVD or video so get your fill now!

As always, thanks for the visit…

~^V^~ Freak ~^V^~