Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

• Title:  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
• Director:  Chris Columbus
• Date:  2002
• Studio:  Warner Brothers
• Genre:  Fantasy, Children
• Cast:  Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Harris, Robert Hardy, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters
• Format:  Color, Widescreen
• DVD Format:  R1, NTSC

"I fashioned a new name, a name I knew wizards everywhere would fear to speak when I became the greatest sorcerer in the world."  -- Tom Riddle

"Albus Dumbledore is the greatest sorcerer in the world."  -- Harry Potter

"Albus Dumbledore's been driven out of  this castle by the mere memory of  me."  -- Tom Riddle

"He'll never be gone, not so long as those that remain are loyal to him."  -- Harry Potter

"It is not our abilities that show us what we truly are - it is our choices."  -- Professor Dumbledore

"Chamber of Secrets" previously was my least favorite of  the first four Harry Potter films, but upon re-watching it today, I actually enjoyed it very much.  Like, "Sorcerer's Stone", also directed by Chris Columbus, this film has a sense of  whimsy, and is beautifully shot.  The film begins with Harry looking at the photo album containing pictures of  his parents, given to him at the end of  the previous film.  However, it also opens up the world that Harry is learning about, the "Wizarding World", by bringing us to Ron's home and to the frightening Knockturn Alley  (I love the wordplay in that almost as much as "Diagon Alley").  However, besides a good mystery (eg "What is the Chamber of Secrets?  Where is it?  What's hiddened there and who opened it?) that is better than the one in the first film -- there's more of a sense of danger.  Students are being attacked, including Hermione.  Ron's own sister is kidnapped -- though the book goes into greater detail of  how Riddle uses his diary to en-trance Ginny into doing his bidding.

Still, another successful, enjoyable, and fun movie appropriate for all ages.  The young actors playing the students are all quite brilliant; and the established British actors playing the teachers bring gravitas to the film.  Kenneth Branagh appears in this one as Gildroy (as in gilded) Lockheart, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher -- and a man who's all talk and bluster with no skill at all.  I highly recommend it.

Recommendation:  See it

Rating:  5

Next Film:  Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban