Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Released 2002
Stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Tom Felton
Directed by Chris Columbus

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets opens up with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) joining his friends, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), and his nemesis, Draco (Tom Felton), as they prepare to begin their sophomore year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Many of the old professors and administrators are back, including headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris in his final role), the strict Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), and the dark, unwelcoming Professor Snape (Alan Rickman). There's also a newcomer – the charismatic, self-absorbed Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh), who is more concerned with answering fan mail than teaching how to defend against the dark arts. But all is not well at Hogwarts. A dark plot is brewing, with someone planning to break into the legendary "Chamber of Secrets" and unleash a monster that can petrify or kill with a look. It's up to Harry and his two friends to uncover the individual behind the plot and foil him or her before Hogwarts is closed.

Summary by James Berardinelli

I was pretty disappointed with this sequel, since it didn't have the suspense and joy of the first one (which I enjoyed but didn't love). It felt as if too much plot was condensed into the story, while the simple joys of going to school in this magical world were missing. I mention the suspense because the movie opens with Harry learning about a plot at school, and the rest of the movie deals with the mechanics of that plot. So the suspense starts at a 10, and it has no chance to build. I haven't read the books, but one thing that bugs me is how Harry Potter is supposed to be such a great wizard, but he's actually not very good. He has a lot of good qualities, but he's essentially a bright, well-mannered muggle who rarely uses magic. He triumphs through pluck, determination and the magical abilities of his fellow mud-blood friend, Hermione. Even Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) reaches for his (broken) wand more than Harry in this movie. What the movie boils down to is Daniel Radcliffe is a wooden actor, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton mug for the camera, and 1000 year-old mysteries are conveniently solved by these kids while the faculty stands by dumbfounded. On the bright side, the CGI is very good and there are some intense moments, but I was underwhelmed. Also, the ending is terrible. It must last 15-20 minutes while everyone fawns over each other. I mean, it's more stretched out than Dr. Ruth's... Wait, this is a family movie. Let's just say the ending was more padded than Chris Rock in a Santa outfit. --Bill Alward, November 17, 2002