Introduction
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a close adaptation of the book, but there are some things to look out for. The movie isn't exactly faithful to the book, and some of the wizard terms will give you a headache. Also, the ending is a bit vague.
Good Film
If you love the book series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is a must-see movie. With its enchanting atmosphere and impressive special effects, Chris Columbus delivers the essence of Rowling's novel. It also introduces us to a fantastic magical world and a cast of entertaining characters.
Although this film is not the best one, it still has many positive aspects. For starters, it's a big deal back in the day. It has many familiar characters and scenes, but it's also a bit scary and has some scenes of danger. While fans of the books should be aware of the content, it's not a necessity.
In addition to its visual effects, the film's cinematography and camera work are excellent. It also features a cast of memorable characters, including the mysterious Professor Snape and the Death Eater Professor Quirrell. There are also a number of memorable scenes, including the reveal of Professor Snape as a vessel for Lord Voldemort's soul.
Lack of Imagination
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone contains an interesting line on lack of imagination: "Dursley does not approve of imagination" - this line appears 15 times, with each time implying that he lacks it. However, the true intention of this statement is unclear. It might hint at a larger theme of the series.
The lack of imagination in the Harry Potter series has been noted by literary critics. Harold Bloom wrote a scathing piece criticizing the books, claiming that they were poorly written and lacking in imaginative vision. But that isn't the only complaint.
Hermione was supposed to discover that the elves have a great hatred for wizards, which is something that Hermione should have known. But Rowling cut this plot line after book seven. Instead, Hermione later works to improve the working conditions of house elves at the Ministry of Magic.
Vague Ending
The ending of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is vague, which is an intentional choice. It emphasizes the dark undertones of the series. This novel is the darkest of the books, and it is focused on Harry's emotional turmoil. Hagrid offers advice to Harry, allowing him to deal with whatever comes his way.
The ending is vague for several reasons. Firstly, we see Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the dark, but they don't know why they're in such a dark place. They're in danger of being caught by Snatchers, but they're not the only ones in danger. Besides, they're trapped in a cellar. This is also the reason why Hermione is so scared of Snape. Meanwhile, Dobby, the ghost of Harry's cat, appears to aid Harry. He is then killed by Bellatrix, and Harry Potter buries him near Fleur and Bill's seaside cottage.
Another alternate ending involves Harry killing Voldemort. Despite the vague ending, the author does give us a glimpse of what might happen in the future. During the summer, Harry and his friends spend time with his Aunt and Uncle. Their year at Hogwarts was dangerous, and they've overcome it together. In the end, Harry and his friends are surrounded by many of their friends.
Book-to-Movie Adaptation
While the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book-to-movie adaptation is essentially faithful to the book, there are some aspects of the story that were changed from the book to the film. For one, the story is set in a vast Wizarding World, which translates to a different set of problems and obstacles for filmmakers. Despite these obstacles, the film manages to cover important episodes and transmit some of the key messages of the book.
Another notable change from the book to the movie was the ending of the film. In the book, Harry and Hermione escaped from the Dursleys, but this didn't mean that their story ended there. Instead, the film focused on Harry's trip to Diagon Alley with Hagrid and his school supplies. The first trip to Diagon Alley in the book was much more exciting.
In the novel, Harry and Hermione do not dance together on the Hogwarts Express, and Draco does not have a portrait of his family, but instead uses the portrait of Sir Cadogan. Also, in the novel, Harry does not win the Quidditch Cup. The film also does not explain the origin of the Marauders, which include James Potter, Sirius, Moony, and Peter Pettigrew. In the movie, these characters appear to be connected to the Shrieking Shack.
