Genre ActionRating PG3 1/2 out of 5 stars
For those of you not familiar with the series or the second book, “Chamber of Secrets” takes place during Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry’s had a miserable summer, courtesy of his muggle (nonmagic) aunt and uncle, who have forbidden him from doing any magic or communicating with his good friends, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson).
It’s only when a house-elf named Dobby comes to Harry and tells him that he must not go back to Hogwarts that the movie begins to roll, and it doesn’t stop until the very end. Despite Dobby’s warnings and interference, Harry returns to Hogwarts, courtesy of the Weasleys.
He meets more problems along the way, notably the deliciously evil Lucius Malfoy (Jason Issacs), father of Harry’s longtime rival, Draco (Tom Felton).
But soon things aren’t as bright and shiny as they were in his first year.
The arrival of notorious fop Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh) as the defense against the dark arts teacher has stomachs churning and hearts fluttering among the Hogwarts students, and Harry’s ever present pain, Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), is nastier than he was before.
To top it off, Harry begins to hear a voice inside the walls of Hogwarts, calling for blood.
As the story unfolds, the sheer genius of J.K. Rowling plays center stage, answering questions you may not have thought to ask (Parseltongue, anyone?).
The battle for control of the wizard world begins in the classic good versus evil drama, complete with your hero and villain who, if you’re not familiar with the books, come as a surprise.
“Chamber of Secrets” is a must-see for those young at heart, who don’t mind being surrounded by spilled popcorn and high pitched giggles.
Though not as easy to adapt to the screen as “The Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Chamber” still proves to be a good movie, with the lack of appearance of familiar faces.
For instance, Snape has little screen time, though in the novel he plays an integral part in the story’s development.
Even worse, Branagh’s delightfully dense Gilderoy Lockhart has a pitifully small role in the movie, even though in the book he is one of the most colorful, albeit annoying, characters.
But all the roles are acted to perfection, with Branagh, and Christian Coulson, who plays Tom Marvolo Riddle, taking the cake.
Director Chris Columbus of “Home Alone” fame is again at the wheel but is relinquishing control for the third Harry Potter movie, due out in 2004.
In “Chamber,” he follows the example he set in the first movie, though to a more extreme degree.
Instead of character development, Columbus focuses on special effects and glitz.
The bottom line is, go out and see this movie.
It’s fun, a good way to spent 161 minutes, and much cheaper than going to a bar.
But if you’ve practically memorized the books (like a certain movie-reviewer who shall remain nameless), be prepared to be slightly disappointed.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) shares a magical moment with ghost Nearly Headless Nick (John Cleese) in the Hogwarts castle. (Warner Bros.)
