Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets
(A- or 3.5/4 stars)
The 2nd film in the Harry Potter film series, 'Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets' (directed, again, by Chris Columbus) is as magical as the 1st film. This film open with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) having to spend his summer holiday with his miserable muggle relations. Things get stanger, however, when he is visited one night by Dobby (voiced by Toby Jones), a house-elf; who warns him that returning to Hogwarts may be a mistake! Still, Harry would do anything to leave his family, & so, joins his newfound pals, Ron & Hermione (Rupert Grint, Emma Watson), & his main adversary, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), as they diligently prepare for their 2nd year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft & Wizardry. Most of the professors & admin's are back, including headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Prof. McGonagall, Prof. Snape, & the giant Hagrid (a now deceased Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Robby Coltrane).
But there's a new addition to the roster: the magnetic, though egocentric Gilderoy Lockhart (a highly enjoyable Kenneth Branagh); who's more concerned with answering fan mail than giving lessons on defense against the dark arts. Now, the students long for his teachings because, you see, all is not well within the corridors of Hogwarts (which Dobby tried to convince Harry of). Darkness fills the air. And someone or something is planning to break into the legendary Chamber of Secrets to unleash a monster that can 'petrify' or kill with one look (think Medusa of 'Clash of the Titans'). Muggle-born students are being 'petrified' left & right. Harry is hearing mysterious whispers through the walls. A message in blood reads 'The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies Of The Heir, Beware'. Lavatory ghosts haunt (a loveable Moaning Myrtle, played by Shirley Henderson). Giant spiders pontificate. Serpents slither. Harry discovers he is parsel-tongued (can speak with said serpent). And shockingly enough (not!), it's up to young Harry & his 2 pals to uncover the being behind this dark plot & foil them before Hogwarts is closed down indefinitely. Can Harry save the school? What does being Slytherin have to do with it all? Could Harry be evil?
This 2nd film in the series is just as good as the 1st, if not better (in some areas). It's interesting, fun, well-acted, & even thrilling, at times. Could the movie have been better? Well, sure. Any movie can. But for what it is, I was thoroughly entertained. The bridge/link btwn. Harry 1 & Harry 2 is smooth. This film is a bit darker than the 1st, but that's only normal. There are only so many Quidditch games one can play (though, the one in this film is still great to watch, haha). One of the big reasons I loved 'Chamber of Secrets' was for its invention(s); whether from an art design standpoint, or special effects. I loved the screaming plants. I loved watching the boneless spell (where the arm goes limp). Watching a piece of paper violently yell at Harry is wonderful to watch. The large, terrifying spiders (near the end) are so well-realized that I had to cover my eyes for nearly the entire sequence. And the serpent (again, near the end) is magnificent in its physical malevolence. Hogwarts - itself - should win an Oscar for never-ending wonderment in art design & effects. It's just a glorious place to spend 2 + hours in. And speaking of the running time (155 minutes), it goes quickly because you're immersed in the film. The script, atmosphere, & characters contribute to that pacing.
And so another reason for the movie's success IS it's cast. The trio of young actors in the film is fine; steadily improving in their effectiveness. But when you've got the aforementioned (from above) list of incredible British actors playing around in the script of this wonderfully fanciful movie, how can you go wrong? Add-in Julie Walters, John Cleese, Richard Griffiths/Fiona Shaw (Harry's uncle & aunt), Jason Isaacs, Miriam Margolyes, & a plethora of other 'greats' ... & you've got it made. The film is special already; and more so because of them. I don't see how anyone could not be taken with this film. 'Chamber of Secrets' takes me to a land far away that I would love to visit, & an establishment where I'd love to meet & know the cherished characters inside it.
But there's a new addition to the roster: the magnetic, though egocentric Gilderoy Lockhart (a highly enjoyable Kenneth Branagh); who's more concerned with answering fan mail than giving lessons on defense against the dark arts. Now, the students long for his teachings because, you see, all is not well within the corridors of Hogwarts (which Dobby tried to convince Harry of). Darkness fills the air. And someone or something is planning to break into the legendary Chamber of Secrets to unleash a monster that can 'petrify' or kill with one look (think Medusa of 'Clash of the Titans'). Muggle-born students are being 'petrified' left & right. Harry is hearing mysterious whispers through the walls. A message in blood reads 'The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies Of The Heir, Beware'. Lavatory ghosts haunt (a loveable Moaning Myrtle, played by Shirley Henderson). Giant spiders pontificate. Serpents slither. Harry discovers he is parsel-tongued (can speak with said serpent). And shockingly enough (not!), it's up to young Harry & his 2 pals to uncover the being behind this dark plot & foil them before Hogwarts is closed down indefinitely. Can Harry save the school? What does being Slytherin have to do with it all? Could Harry be evil?
This 2nd film in the series is just as good as the 1st, if not better (in some areas). It's interesting, fun, well-acted, & even thrilling, at times. Could the movie have been better? Well, sure. Any movie can. But for what it is, I was thoroughly entertained. The bridge/link btwn. Harry 1 & Harry 2 is smooth. This film is a bit darker than the 1st, but that's only normal. There are only so many Quidditch games one can play (though, the one in this film is still great to watch, haha). One of the big reasons I loved 'Chamber of Secrets' was for its invention(s); whether from an art design standpoint, or special effects. I loved the screaming plants. I loved watching the boneless spell (where the arm goes limp). Watching a piece of paper violently yell at Harry is wonderful to watch. The large, terrifying spiders (near the end) are so well-realized that I had to cover my eyes for nearly the entire sequence. And the serpent (again, near the end) is magnificent in its physical malevolence. Hogwarts - itself - should win an Oscar for never-ending wonderment in art design & effects. It's just a glorious place to spend 2 + hours in. And speaking of the running time (155 minutes), it goes quickly because you're immersed in the film. The script, atmosphere, & characters contribute to that pacing.
And so another reason for the movie's success IS it's cast. The trio of young actors in the film is fine; steadily improving in their effectiveness. But when you've got the aforementioned (from above) list of incredible British actors playing around in the script of this wonderfully fanciful movie, how can you go wrong? Add-in Julie Walters, John Cleese, Richard Griffiths/Fiona Shaw (Harry's uncle & aunt), Jason Isaacs, Miriam Margolyes, & a plethora of other 'greats' ... & you've got it made. The film is special already; and more so because of them. I don't see how anyone could not be taken with this film. 'Chamber of Secrets' takes me to a land far away that I would love to visit, & an establishment where I'd love to meet & know the cherished characters inside it.