The first two Harry Potter movies (and books) are starkly different then the rest of the series. The series “grows up” at the same rate that Harry does. I think he’s 11 in Sorcerers Stone and 12 in CoS, and is pretty much an adult by series end. The tone of the stories mirror Harry’s maturation. Each movie will get progressively darker from here on out.
FYI, Movie 3, Prisoner of Azkaban, was directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Gravity) and it’s very good. Movies 1 and 2 were directed by Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs Doubtfire).
Harry Potter is the greatest fantasy book series of all time. Come at me, Maf.
Glad you’re watching the movies!