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This is a movie that has to be watched again before attempting to jump into the 6th movie. It covers many important plot points that are revisited and sets up relationships that will be important later. Alert- there are spoilers. Harry's second year at Hogwarts starts with the arrival of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Gilderoy Lockhart played by another fine English actor, Kenneth Branagh. You can't help but laugh at his charming demeanor and best smile award as he fumbles through his terrible classes. While she was introduced in the first film briefly, this is our first experience with Bonnie Wright as Ron's sister Ginny. She becomes possessed with a journal containing a portion of the soul of Tom Riddle (aka Voldemort) and accidentally opens the Chamber of Secrets unleashing a basilisk (giant snake) that paralyzes some students, one of which is Hermione Granger. One of the sad points of this movie is that we don't get very much Hermione which means Harry and Ron have to struggle along a lot longer without her help to solve the mystery. Introduced also is the character of Lucius Malfoy, the school bully Draco's father as a villain who sets the events into motion in this story. Also who can forget the house elf, Dobby? An animated nightmare reminiscent of Jar-Jar Binks in Episode One of Star Wars, he is more annoying than engaging as a character. If you can get past his eccentricities, you can be truly touched when he is freed from his terrible master at the end. What is unfortunate is that these characteristics probably led to him being left out of future movies, which is understandable that some plots need to be left out in order to keep the really important events. However, his character is crucial to the final books so I do not know how they are going to make up for lost time with this one. Again, the acting is great as the kids grow older and learn more and exercise their comedic muscle. Alan Rickman is wonderfully slimey and his annunciation is top notch for subtext. Another Chris Columbus directed movie so it has the same younger flavor of the first one with magical whimsy at every turn. The ending is much darker in this one and has a considerable amount of blood for a PG film. Another good film for the whole family, but aimed at the younger crowd.Read full review
"Harry Potter and Chamber of Secrets" is second movie in the Harry Potter franchise, based on the very popular children's book series. Please do keep in mind that this movie is based on the book, which means that as good as the movie is, reading the book is better. That having been said, the movie begins with more unhappiness for young Harry Potter who is spending the summer back at his neglectful and sometimes abusive aunt and uncle's house. Harry is rescued from his misery by his best friend (who uses a flying Ford Anglia to spring Harry from his prison) and spends the remainder of his summer relaxing with his friends. The school year begins normally enough, with their greatest bother being a narcissistic new professor. However, Harry seems fated not to enjoy a "normal" teenage existence...a terrifying new problem manifests itself at the school...someone or something is attacking students, leaving them in a comatose, "Petrified" state. If the culprit is not found, the school may have to be closed. Harry falsely becomes the main suspect, when it is discovered that he can speak to snakes (a stereotypically "evil" trait), and that he is hearing voices. As the other students shun Harry out of fear, he tries to solve the dangerous riddle of what is harming the students. Taking on the controversial issue of eugenics (pure blood vs. mixed heritage) and for the first time revealing some deep-set prejudices held among certain wizards, the story gets even more disturbing when the characters search for clues in the Forbidden Forest and come face to face with gigantic spiders - who later try to eat our heroes! Creepier still is the issue of a 'haunted' diary which seems to implicate loveable caretaker Hagrid as the culprit behind the attacks. At the climax, Harry must descend alone, into the depths, to face a terrifying foe...a humongous snake-like creature with venomous fangs and eyes that will kill you to look at you. At this point in the movie (not the book), I started to feel that certain dramatic liberties were being taken to escalate the action to make it more exciting to watch. The film started to feel more like an action pic than a well-written fantasy, as Harry (armed with a bejewelled sword) battles the monstrous creature to the death. Harry kills the monster, and saves the 'damsel in distress' (a la the mythical Perseus). He also discovers that the 'haunted' diary is filled with the spirit of young Lord Voldemort, who is trying to steal a life force in order to live again. Harry destroys the book (important in the 6th book/movie) and saves the day. This movie was less like the book than the first film. I did not feel that it had the same 'flavor' as the book in which it was based on. I also was unimpressed at the ending, when Hagrid makes a grand entrance and everyone claps and cheers, which was unlike the book and felt too much like a tacked-on "mandatory happy ending", which to me, felt cheap. Now in addition to the way that the movie was written, I feel I mist also tell you that with this DVD comes a second "bonus feature" DVD, and it is EXCELLENT! Hours of behind the scenes information, interviews with cast and crew, games and trivia...the bonus material alone was worth the purchase price. Thank you for taking the time to read my review of this movie. If you feel that it was helpful to you, kindly take a moment to vote "YES" (it was helpful). Thank you!Read full review
Chris Columbus said he wanted to make a 2,5 hour movie that feels like 30 Minutes. Well, in my case he surely succeeded! I saw the movie as a member of the press and couldn't get enough of it. I would have gladly sat in the cinema for another two or three hours with a biiiig smile on my face. Like part one, "chamber of secrets" stays true to the book. I don't know about you - but I HATE it when movie makers change the storylines, add or remove characters and do it for the "sake of the art". I think they do it because they are too lazy to create their own storys, so they rip off other peoples ideas and crush them to make it more comfortable... If a book is loved by millions of readers there must be a good reason for that. Chris Columbus has captured the essence of the book on screen. So, after "philosophers stone" he delivered again! When reading the book I always envisioned Michael Crawford playing Gilderoy Lockhart. His broad smile and clumsiness à la Frank Spencer would have been perfect for the role. But instead we get to see Kenneth Branagh, so of course you won't see ME complain. The great find of the movie is Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy. In his short scenes onscreen he makes your blood freeze. And again: all the casting is brilliant. Every character just feels right - even if you imagined something different when you read the book. There also has been talk about the young actors getting older. Well, let me remind you that this also happens in the books. In every book Harry Potter and his friends are one year older. So there's no excuse to take the roles away from Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. I couldn't imagine someone else playing their parts. Go see "the chamber of secrets". It's pure fun and excitement! And it will wet your appetite for more to come. Richard Harris couldn't have asked for a better movie and legacy to be remembered by.Read full review
Great Movie! The sound is very quiet in the movie, so you may need to put the volume high to hear it well, other than that, it is REALLY GOOD! I love this movie, and al the characters in it. Just hope nobody spoils the fun for you!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Out of all the Harry Potter Movies, this one is one of my favorites. The plot is interesting, the special effects are amazing, and the cast is great. They continue to make awesome movies for us. I had the cassette, but what are those good for? I wanted the special edition DVD. It always comes with cool stuff and games that you otherwise wouldn't get to enjoy. I have the same features for all of the other movies, and wanted to add this one to my collection. This movie is actually what made me start liking the Harry Potter Series in the first place. 5 stars, 2 thumbs up.
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