Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

I know how popular this book and movie franchise is worldwide, so I am guessing that a large majority of people have seen this movie. And probably long before I did.
By the way, for any American readers who didn't know, The Philisopher's Stone was the original title for the first book/movie in the Harry Potter series.
This movie follows the life of the boy Harry Potter, who was orphaned while still an infant because the evil Lord Voldemort murdered his parents. He managed to survive with only a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. His terrible aunt and uncle raise him, but they know that he is a wizard and so they mistreat him, mainly by making him sleep under the stairs and wear his cousin's hand-me-downs, although the neglect and hatred go much deeper than that.
On Harry's 11th birthday he begins to realize that he is unique. His aunt and uncle hid the fact that he was a wizard! And now he gets to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While there he will learn of the evil that is returning to the world, while trying to help Headmaster Dumbledore protect the philosopher's stone, along with the help of his new friends Ron and Hermione.
I read the books a few years ago, so I have to admit that I was slightly bothered by the differences between the books and the movie. Plot changes, missing scenes, missing characters.
I also read an article at tor.com about how some of those plot/script changes made Hermione the hero of more situations than she really was and made Ron seem far more stupid, although he was still given some heroic moments. I won't go into details, but if you are interested you can read the whole thing here: http://www.tor.com/2014/01/15/erased-by-time-and-blockbusters-the-cautionary-tale-of-ron-weasley/
However, overall this movie was like watching my imagination spring to life. I loved these books an the childlike wonder they brought back, and the movies are equally whimsical. If you still haven't seen Harry Potter, (read the books and then) go watch this movie. You will love it.

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