Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone

(I reviewed the first 4 minutes)


The opening picture is of the street name with a owl on, this sets the scene. Straight after you meet all the main characters, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid and of course Harry Potter(as a child). You realise it is fantasy straight away as Professor McGonagall transforms from a cat, Dumbledore absorbs street lights in a flask like object and finally Hagrid flew there on a motor bike. You realise that Harry is going to be a main character because the teachers all talk about him and how he is famous. Dumbledore is in charge of the teachers suggesting he is head straight away. They are wearing cloak's with stereotypical wizards hats which helps the reader understand which genre this film is(magic fantasy). They mention he will be living in a different world and he has to live there with his only family members, so you realise later on in the film he will be introduced to the other world. Also you wonder what happened to his parents which are both good enigma codes. And at the end once again you see his address to show you he is in our world and not in the magical world yet.
Finally Dumbledore says his name and it zooms on to his scar, which you wonder how he got (another enigma code) and then is comes up with the title of the film. through out the ending of the opening scene the theme tune is played (sound motif).

This ending works because it introduces character by what there wearing and they call each other professor other than Hagrid. Also the genre by their costumes, and it shows the name of the street which you see later, as well as the owl at the start ... as there is owls throughout Harry Potter films. And another good thing is they show his scar as all Harry Potter films are about him getting that scar and surviving the death spell. However it does set up some enigma codes which lures the audience in even more.

I chose Harry Potter because the start has to be remembered through out the 7 books/8 films. As he lives in both worlds, has that scar, very famous, known by the teachers. Also the books had high reviews so the film had to follow that. And in my opinion even though its fantasy, it is enjoyable for all ages.

Ive learned from this that the dialogue can essentially be used to build up the reputation of a character. Also the special effects used of the appearance of Professor McGonagall is used to introduce the theme. Which has helped me understand the appearance of characters can set up more than just their character.

By Steven Meadows