Revisiting Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone

I was six when the first Harry Potter film was released. Of course that means I absolutely loved this strange world of wizards and witches, trolls and mythical creatures.

Having recently seen Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, it felt like a good idea to revisit the Harry Potter series from the start and see how it holds up as it nears its twentieth anniversary.

Watching Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone again for the first time in years--now that I am much older--feels like I have now truly watched it for the first time, given I have a stronger understanding of J.K. Rowling's vision for the lore and its sheer depth.

Depth is where Harry Potter feels like such a new world to explore, if you haven't read the books, there are so many slight hints and references that you'll find you have missed. For example, the harshness in which Snape treats Harry turns out to be nothing more than one of a protective nature; Snape knows exactly what could happen to Harry, and given Snape once loved his mother, who sadly rejected him for James, there's also a slight bitterness about Harry's existence. Harry, after all, could have been his son. He wants to both discourage Harry from getting into danger, but ensure he is strong and mature enough to combat it if it does seek him. To the viewer, Snape is simply another horrible teacher making students' lives miserable.

After watching The Philosopher's Stone, I felt a thirst for much more of its universe. The depth in its universe expands far beyond the four houses, and walls, of Hogwarts. Far beyond Harry, Dumbledore, and the odd owl. I want to know more about Diagon Alley: the good and the evil that can be found within it. The history of magic, and the wizards and witches that studied it all those hundreds of years ago. I think it is due to the fact that no other film or television show successfully displays the atmosphere and aesthetics of magic; its gothic nature that extends far into the realms of fantasy, with both logic and science to back up some of the unexplained.

The Philosopher's Stone is the perfect fantasy film, and the only thing I can really say negatively about it, is there simply is nothing quite like it. It stands on its own, next to its next instalments.