Hornet on Hollywood: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” DVD

Image: Hornet on Hollywood: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone DVD::

Image: Hornet on Hollywood: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” DVD::

Margaret Friedman

Rating:

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, John Hurt, Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith

Directed by Chris Columbus

Produced by Davud Heyman

Screenplay by Steve Kloves

Based on the novel by J.K. Rowling

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

152 mins.

Rated PG Who hasn’t imagined a magical world with wizards and castles and mysterious adventures? Well, even if you haven’t, J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed Harry Potter novels create such a world for readers of all ages. Last year’s screen adaptation of the first book, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” brings to life Harry’s magical world.

Now available on DVD, replete with a second disc of special features, “Sorcerer’s Stone,” directed by Chris Columbus (“Home Alone”), is superbly constructed and stays very true to the book. Anyone who has read even one Harry Potter book can appreciate the effort and attention to detail that went into the production of this film. The actors, the costumes by Judianna Makovsky (“Pleasantville”) and the music by John Williams (“Star Wars”) come together on computer-generated castle grounds to create a wondrous world.

A few changes have been made from the book, but the filmmakers keep the main points of the story tied together efficiently. It starts with one-year-old Harry Potter being delivered to his aunt and uncle’s house after his parent’s death. Harry (newcomer Daniel Radcliffe) spends the next ten years with his evil relatives and his rotten cousin Dudley. He doesn’t learn that he is a wizard until his 11th birthday when Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane of “Message in a Bottle”) comes to take him to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.Under the watchful eye of headmaster Albus Dumbledore (the late Richard Harris of “Camelot”), Harry has the time of his life getting into all kinds of exciting trouble with his new friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasly (respectively played by Emma Watson and Rupert Grint). They learn to fly on broomsticks, play quidditch (a wizard sport) and even fight a troll on Halloween.

During his first year at Hogwarts, Harry also learns of the details behind the reputation that precedes him, and the story of his parents’ death at the hands of Lord Voldemort, the most evil wizard of the last century. As the only survivor of Voldemort’s rampages, young Harry will come face to face with his sad past and the evil wizard himself.

The DVD’s special features should keep you occupied for a time, with the main attraction being the journey to find the Sorcerer’s Stone yourself. Your reward for finding the stone is seven deleted scenes to watch. But before you can set on your journey, you must go to Diagon Alley and get your wand. Eventually, you can enter the classrooms at Hogwarts, where you can find clues to help you reach the stone. Through the three-dimensional world and menus, you can also visit the Hogwarts grounds, take a tour of the campus, and hear interviews from the filmmakers.Another treat is the boxes of Berty Bott’s Every Flavor Beans scattered throughout the special features. Every Flavor Beans are a favorite candy of the kids at Hogwarts, but be careful; they really come in every flavor! Click on the boxes and to taste the beans in flavors like dirt, lemon and vomit.

With the success of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the next story “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” should be equally entertaining. Seven total books and films are planned for production but only four books have been released so far.