The Magic of Harry Potter: A Film & Literature Study

 Introduction to world-building—how J.K. Rowling crafts an immersive fantasy world
The Hero’s Journey—how Harry follows the classic literary protagonist structure
Themes of friendship, destiny, and self-discovery
How the movie brought magic to life: production design, visual effects, and cinematography
What was changed or removed from the book, and how it affects storytelling
Chris Columbus’ directorial approach—keeping the magic lighthearted
Set and costume design—creating Hogwarts on screen 

 The evolution of foreshadowing—how clues from this book impact the entire series
Themes of prejudice, fear, and the dangers of power
The growing complexity of the Wizarding World
Changes in tone—how Chamber of Secrets became darker than the first film
Adapting mystery—how the film uses visuals to build suspense
The introduction of CGI creatures—Dobby and the Basilisk
Visual storytelling—how the film contrasts light and shadow
Sound design—how eerie sound effects heighten suspense 

 Themes of fear, identity, and the power of choice
The importance of Remus Lupin and Sirius Black in Harry’s character development
The role of time travel—how it changes narrative structure
Director Alfonso Cuarón’s artistic vision—how he shifted the series' tone
The removal of the Marauders’ backstory—how this affects the audience’s understanding
Symbolism in the film—mirrors, reflections, and circles
The impact of lighting and color grading—why the film looks different from the first two 

 The shift in narrative—introducing international wizardry and larger world-building
The Triwizard Tournament—how challenges reflect Harry’s personal growth
The rising tension as Voldemort returns
The challenge of condensing the longest book into a fast-paced film
Why the film cut key subplots (Dobby, Ludo Bagman, S.P.E.W.)
The darker visual tone—how it signals a shift in the series
How action sequences differ in books vs. films
The use of CGI in creating the Triwizard Tournament challenges