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Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is eagerly looking forward to returning to Hogwarts for his second year in the study of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He gets an unexpected visit from Dobby, a house elf, who warms him not to go back to the school, because dangers will stalk him there. The words of caution do not stop him. Almost from the time of his arrival, things begin to happen. From a pet cat subjected to a cruel death, events like strange noises and Harry hearing voices, escalate until a number of students are frozen into a petrified state, with looks of horror on their faces. When Harry is blamed for all the trouble, he determines to find the truth especially, when the worst happens and Hermione (Emma Watson) becomes petrified. Harry with Ron (Rupert Grint) decides to look for what he believes is the source of all the frightening events which appears to be coming from somewhere underground. Will Harry discover what is there? What will he find? How is he and Hogwarts connected with all that is happening?
Harry's fantastic adventure starts off at a fast clip almost from the first scenes. The movement
of the story is sustained, more or less up to the last scenes which show high suspense and spectacular action. Harry Potter fans who have read "Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets" will be able to see practically the whole book in moving pictures, except for a few events and details which have been left out. In the attempt to visualize
the whole written story, the inclusion of the many events make the narrative less cohesive. Besides, the tale has become too much of a fantasy for some viewers' liking. The
addition of more characters on the other hand, has prevented some of them from proper development. The acting of the main cast, however, has definitely improved. The movie is
a real spectacle of entertaining sights and sound. The fantastic shots of Hogwarts and its grounds, the flying car, the verdant countryside are pleasurable sights.
The eternal conflict between good and evil, and the eventual triumph of good is central to all of
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books. The Chamber of Secrets
takes on a more precise issue: that of holding on to the tradition of Hogwarts to take in not only boys and girls who are 100% born witches and wizards, but also children with mixed muggles–blood.
While present school head Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris) struggles to keep this tradition, Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs) challenges him in confrontation and underhanded
means. The friendship and loyalty of the three friends – Harry, Ron, Hermione – have remained strong. Other values depicted are determination and courage, concern for the
students and discipline. Although Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
is rated for viewers of all ages, parents should still decide whether their younger children maybe allowed to see this film or not. The movie contains some dark and scary scenes, over sized fantastic creatures and the desperate, heightened fight to the finish at the end.
(Date reviewed: November 15, 2002)
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