2002, 2 hrs 40 min., Rated PG for scary moments, some creature violence and mild language.�Dir: Chris Columbus. Based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Cast: Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore), Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall), Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape), Warwick Davis (Professor Filius Flitwick), Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle), Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout), Toby Jones (Dobby the House Elf (voice)), Christian Coulson (Tom Marvolo Riddle), John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon Dursley), Fiona Shaw (Aunt Petunia Dursley), Harry Melling (Dudley Dursley).

Me again, the guy who has never read any of the books but likes the movies, in this case Harry Potter but including Lord of the Rings and every comic book adaptation.

In last year's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, I felt that the filmmakers started from scratch, inviting anyone who has or hasn't read the books into the land of wizards and muggles, opening a bright new world. The second time around, though, it seems that there are so many references to the books that readers will chuckle and elbow their friend with a shared knowledge of the backstory, but I was feeling left out.

While I enjoyed the movie just fine, I don't think my praise will reach anywhere near the level of bookworms. A major part of this deals with the main character. I'm not convinced of Harry Potter's draw. I'm sure in the book he's a flushed-out character oozing with personality. But in the movie, Daniel Radcliffe's Harry contains little personality, and is outshone by pals Ron and Hermione. Frankly, Harry is dull. Beyond that, his entire existence is to react to events around him, never just 'being' a pre-teen boy and the joys that come with it.

Mudblood Hermione (Emma Watson) is the real backbone of the trio, not to mention the cutest little wizard in the galaxy. Ron (Rupert Grint) and his Weasley family have the spirit a clan of redheads ought to, and provide many of the laughs in Chamber of Secrets.

Elsewhere, the cast you love is back again, but sadly this will be the final time the late Richard Harris is the wise schoolmaster Dumbledore. Maggie Smith looks to be in for the long haul, for our good fortune, as Professor McGonagall and over-seer of the house of Griffindor, Alan Rickman's smarmy sneers continue to be the coolest Slitherin' of the place, and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) is the much-loved big guy who provides the workmanlike soul of Hogwarts. I look forward to more of Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy, father of the surely-evil blond tornado Draco, and conjurer of his own brand of questions in the series.

In what seems to be a one-movie bit, Kenneth Branagh provides gloriously unreal charms as Gilderoy Lockhart, a self-proclaimed 'legendary' wizard. Nae, his skills are legend, but his actual magic is lacking. But the smile makes the man, and Branagh gives and receives.

The effects are still crowd-pleasing, from the flying car to little house elf Dobby, sure to be everyone's pet this Christmas. If he were real, that is. The screaming plants are a hoot and the finale looks very good but I have one complaint: I'm terrified of spiders, but this is ridiculous. Why didn't anyone warn me that there were 10-foot arachnids preying upon our heroes in the movie? Eek, talk about the creepy-crawlies. I'll have nightmares for weeks. I'm with Ron, why couldn't it be "follow the butterflies"? I'm even fine with snakes. The monstrous serpent certainly creates tension.

Ya know, for a bunch of student wizards, they sure don't know many useful spells. It seems that most every situation they get into, could be resolved with a few words and a wave of the wand. Hard to say, but I would appreciate if this movie were more magical, literally and figuratively.

Be sure to enjoy John Williams' score during the credits and stick around for the end of the roll. There's a brief 15-second bit that wraps up Branagh's role in the flick.

Overall I'm not ready to proclaim this better than last year's Sorcerer's Stone, or even put it in the top ten best films this year. They went from scene to scene as if trying to fit in all the coolest stuff from the book (and at 2 hrs, 40 min, certainly fit in a lot), but not really delving into many secrets. I know, I know, I should just read the books if I want more exposition.