HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OS SECRETS Movie Review

HARRY POTTER and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Rated PG for scary moments, some violence, and mild language.

Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Adventure, and Family.

Directed By Chris Columbus. Writing Credits: Steven Kloves (Screenplay) Based on Novel By: J.K. Rowling.

The magical and spellbinding cast includes: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Toby Jones, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Kenneth Branagh, Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane, and more.

Tagline: HOGWARTS BACK IN SESSION: A Bewitching School Home to Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Fighting trees, Talking Spiders, and danger around every corner. This year Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) will have to pull together in wizardry and friendship to save their beloved school, Hogwarts from ruin. It's speculated that an heir of Salazar Slytherin, co-founder of Hogwartz, has opened the Chamber of Secrets as a foreboding warning against the presence of 'mud bloods' (witches of impure lineage) at the school. But who is the villainous heir? Is it a fellow student? Could it be the spiteful Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton)? With a dangerous beast now stalking the halls of Hogwarts, its up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione to save the day.

Summary:

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is part two of the novel series written by J.K. Rowling. In another mystical journey to the world of witchcraft and wizardry, Rowling's tale provides the perfect outline for a blockbuster sequel, for which the original cast from "Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone" joins forces with a few great additions; including the casting for memorable parts like Doby.

In "The Chamber of Secrets" a neurotically masochistic slave elf named Doby visits Harry with warnings to stay away from Hogwartz. But with the new school year approaching, and his currently disastrous living situation with his abusive aunt and uncle, Harry can't bear the thought of missing out on the happiest times of his life back at school. As Ron's brothers rescue Harry from his earthly hell via a flying car, Harry is quickly on his way to Hogwarts for his second set of adventures in wizard land. Along the way, Harry and the Weasleys sneak into a bookstore to reunite with Ron and Hermione. There, the gang encounters the detestable Malfoy family whose sinister ways never fail to leave a bad taste in your mouth.

Back at school, Harry discovers the reason behind Doby's insistence on Harry avoiding a return to Hogwartz as students are becoming mysteriously petrified and odious threats show up in bloodstained messages on the walls. What's more, there's a deadly monster on the loose, terrifying the students, and aging Headmaster Dumbledore.

Though the Malfoy family is usually up to no good, are the devilish antics really the cause behind the sinister crimes being committed? If that weren't enough, Harry seems to be the only one hearing voices beckoning him to follow. As he sets out to discover the origin of the voices, he and his duo of sidekicks, Ron and Hermione, stumble upon the Chamber of Secrets, a secret lair that has been opened but once, before now that is. More importantly, only the true heir of Salazar Slytherin is apt to open the lair, and likewise, the heir is the only one apt to control the terrifying monster now loose in Hogwartz.

To make matters worse Harry has discovered a new gift of "Parsel-tongue" (the ability to communicate with asps), Ron is spitting up slugs, Hermione is turning into things, Hagrid has been unjustly locked up in the Prison of Azkaban, and something is out there trying to stop Harry at any cost!

With time working against the three witchlings, Harry and the gang work to solve the mystery behind Salazar's true heir, save the petrified children, and slay the beast all in time for their next lesson in "Defense Against the Dark Arts" held by the creepy Professor Gilroy? And what's with the invisible diary?

With a good balance of mystery, drama, fantasy, and action, "Chamber of Secrets" keeps one guessing from start to finish who the true heir of Salazar Slytherin is going to be. Also credible were the special effects, which were second to none considering the context. However, the scene with the spiders did border on cheesy.

Equally enjoyable was the addition of Doby, whose performance, though disturbing at times, was hilariously entertaining, and rivaled that of the "Lord of the Rings" Golum sans the villainy. With an encore performance that keeps you wanting more, it's a safe bet that "The Prisoner of Azkaban" sequel is going to be, yet another blockbuster hit.

With a steady pace, inevitable climax, and a slew of unpredictable twists and turns, "Chamber of Secrets" will make a fan out of even the most cynical of critics.

Main Characters:

Harry Potter, played by none other than Daniel Radcliffe, is the maturing sorcerer who, with the help of Ron and Hermione, uses his magical wit to try and save Hogwartz.

Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint, is a young sorcerer forced to cast aside his fears to heroically save the day, broken wand and all, along side Harry Potter.

Hermione Granger, played by Emma Watson, is a wily witch who uses her bookworm know-how to aid Harry in his quest.

Headmaster Dumbledore is Richard Harris' second and final appearance as the wise and gentle ruler of Hogwartz.

Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, is a gentle Giant accused of a crime that sentences him to the Prison of Azkaban.

Draco Malfoy, played by Tom Felton, the odious son of Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius Malfoy, played by Jason Isaacs, is the vengeful wanker that is up to no good.

Professor Gilderoy, played by Kenneth Branagh, is the self-centered expert in "Defense against the Dark Arts" whose character is anything but civil.

Mrs. Sprout, played by Miriam Margolyes, is a professor of "Herbology" whose secret potion, involving Mandrake roots, helps save the day.

Dobby, voiced by Toby Jones, is the self-punishing house elf that just wants a hug.

Find Real Haunted Houses | Find Haunted Attractions | Ghost Towns | Haunted Movies | Haunted House Photos

MOVIE INDEX * CarpalTunnelSyndrome.com * LimoRentals.com * MAIN INDEX