Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Movie Reviews | Nov 15th, 2002

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Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris (RIP), Maggie Smith, Kenneth Branagh, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, David Bradley, Toby Jones, Jason Isaacs, John Cleese
Written By: Steve Kloves
Directed By: Chris Columbus

After the first movie, I wanted to find out what happens because I didn’t want to wait for the next movie to come out. I actually read all 4 books of Harry Potter in 2 weeks this summer. That’s how good & interesting they were. I like the 3rd and 4th books the most so they better not messed them up when they get made!

The story of the Chamber of Secrets is about Harry’s second year at Hogwarts. But before he gets to school, He’s warned by an irritating house elf named Dobby. Dobby warns him that he’s be in danger if he goes back, something bad will happen. Harry ignores the dumb elf and goes anyway. At Hogwarts, people start to get “petrified” and people point the finger at Harry. I guess that’s an okay synopsis of the story. I never said I was a great reviewer.

With the 2nd book, I liked it for it’s dark themes and it’s just a more interesting story. I think with the movie, they achieved the dark themes but I feel something was missing from this movie that made the first movie so much more fun. There was barely any scenes in the classrooms, or with the Durselys or at the Weasleys. I didn’t think the movie was long enough even though it was long. I think they should have added the house gnomes at the Weasley’s because it could have been a funny scene in the movie. Or was that in the next book? I can’t remember. They could have added more Hagrid scenes to show more depth to his character and how much Hagrid meant to Harry and to Hogwarts. Because the very end was over doing it I think with the happiness. They could have added a lot more scenes with Gilderoy Lockhart and show what a media whore he was. Thankfully they didn’t have that much of that annoying kid Colin who took the pictures in the movie that much. I wanted that kid to die in the books.

I guess I’ll talk about what I disliked first. I thought there was a lot of annoying things in the book, and yes..they annoyed me in the movie as well. I thought Dobby the Elf was funny at times, and annoying at times. But that’s his character so I guess they were trying to achieve that. He reminded me of Jar Jar Binks a lot because both are really annoying. But I also thought he was cute in some scenes so I was half and half on Dobby. The Mandrakes are these plants that makes the worst fucking noise I’ve heard in a theater! Ugh. Then there’s Moaning Myrtle. A girl ghost who’s annoying in the books and in the movie. I think if they didn’t added this stupid effect to her voice it might have been all right. And finally, I cringed hearing some of the kid actor’s puberty voices. Especially Rupert Grint’s. I know there’s nothing you can do about and it’s life. When they were yelling, that’s when I cringed. Draco Malfoy was also not my favorite because of his voice and just the way he acted. I think he went a little overkill on some scenes. I hate the way some of the kids pronounce “Potter.”

Now onto what I liked. The dueling club was my favorite scene in the movie. Seeing wizards kick each other’s arses is fun to see. Wish it was longer like it was in the books. The Snape vs. Lockhart duel was fantastic. Even though it was so short, seeing that bastard Snape throw Lockhart was funny as hell. Alan Rickman is the perfect Severus Snape. I hope he continues the role in the 3rd and 4th books. Kenneth Branagh was a fine addition to the cast this time. I think he’s a brilliant actor. He’s also dead on with the character he plays, Gilderoy Lockhart. He’s so cheeky and such a media whore..it’s great. During the dueling club scene, I liked how Harry spoke Parseltongue. That was cool to hear and to see. The Quidditch match this time was way better than the first movie’s match. It was more intense, and the CGI was simply better. I liked the flying car scenes, I thought that was fun to watch; even though the car looked really fake. I wish there was more scenes with Fred and George Weasley because they are hilarious in the books. Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy was great. He plays a fucking creep in every movie. Another thing I liked, but creeped me out was the spiders. I don’t like spiders. But it was an exciting scene.

To continue, Richard Harris’s role was a delight to see on the screen one last time since he passed away a few weeks ago. He WAS Dumbledore. Even if his granddaughter forced him to take the part, he was Dumbledore. He’s who I pictured when reading the books. He will be sadly missed. It’s really sad at times seeing that he’s gone and watching this movie. A lot of interesting rumors are popping up on who will be Dumbledore in 2 years for the next movie. All of them great actors, like Ian Mckellen, Christoper Lee, and Peter O Toole. There’s also another choice, Harris’ double that they might choose because he looks and talks like Richard Harris. But that’s kind of like watching an Elvis impersonator perform Elvis tunes. But maybe that’s what’s best for the film series. I think Daniel Radcliffe did an excellent job this time and you can sense he’s got leading man potential. Emma Watson is developing nicely into a nice actress..I wish there was more scenes with Robbie Coltrane. Though he should have a lot of scenes in the next 2 movies. If they do it right. I’m not so sure Chris Columbus was the right director to direct these movies. I’m curious to see how the director of the 3rd movie, Alfonso Cuarn, will do it since Columbus is only executive producing it. Hopefully he’ll make it even darker and less kiddie.

I think this review is long so I’ll end it now. Overall, I think this might be better than Sorcerer’s Stone but then it might not. It’s better in some aspects but not in other things. It’s a lot darker, more likable characters, and an interesting plot. There should have been more scenes in the classes and more character development. I’d have to see it again to see how much I really like this. Bring on The Prisoner of Azkaban!

Favorite Scenes: Seeing wizards kick each other’s arses is fun to see. Wish it was longer like it was in the books. The Snape vs. Lockhart duel was fantastic. Even though it was so short, seeing that bastard Snape throw Lockhart was funny as hell. Alan Rickm
Rating: PG
Running Time:16 0 minutes
Overall Rating:

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