Who's
In It: Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert
Grint Who Directed It: Chris Columbus
Year of release:
2002
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Movie Review Reviewed by: Adam Mast,
Zboneman.com
Before
getting into my review, I must confess that I've never read this series of wildly
popular books. I also must admit that I wasn't a huge fan of the first Harry Potter
film. While I did find the special effects impressive, I found the movie itself,
quite slow. It was like a movie about magic without the magic. I just didn't get
sucked into the fantasy element of it. Despite a mammoth two hour and forty-five
minute running time, I found this Harry Potter adventure much more lively.
In
this follow up, Harry Potter begins year two at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry. As before, he and his pals find themselves involved in a fantastic
mystery. This time, the intrigue revolves around a mysterious, hidden chamber
within the confines of Hogwarts. Strange occurrences begin taking place around
the school and they may stem from the Chamber of Secrets.
Chris
Columbus has fashioned a more involving tale this time out, and the sense of wonder
that seemed to be lacking in the first picture, shines through here. This movie
is bigger in terms of scope, and since the characters have all been established,
there's more room for an actual story. While the sights and sounds of Hogwarts
have already been exposed in the first picture, Columbus and crew give the audience
some visual treats outside the school including a magical, flying Ford ride and
a creepy sequence involving a spider lair. The Quidditch sequence, while impressive
to look at, comes across as gratuitous. It's just more of the same.
Yes,
there are special effects aplenty. While it's seems to be getting harder and harder
to dazzle audiences, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets holds it's own, even
when we're subjected to annoying CGI characters like Dobby. Thankfully, he never
sinks to the intrusive depths of Jar Jar Binks. At any rate, there's plenty to
marvel at in this picture.
Since
I haven't read the books, I can't really pick Steve Kloves' screenplay apart.
But I can say I love the progression of the characters. Harry himself, is much
wiser and even a little tougher in this tale. Kloves might have been better off
shaving some excess, but he and Columbus should be commended for trying to keep
the integrity of the book in tact.
Columbus
directs much of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in a grand fashion and
it's hard to shake the obvious shades of Steven Spielberg, whom Columbus has worked
with in the past (he wrote Gremlins and The Goonies). Columbus even throws in
a line made famous from his directorial debut Adventures in Babysitting (I won't
reveal the line, but fans will know what I'm talking about). The bottom line is,
Columbus is terrific with his young actors and he's great with effects-heavy pictures.
Surprisingly, he won't be directing the next installment (that chore goes to Alfonso
Cuaron who brought A Little Princess to the screen).
The
performances here are definitely a step above the last outing. Particularly Daniel
Radcliffe who seems much more comfortable in Harry's shoes in this adventure.
In fact, Radcliffe is very engaging here and he really carries the movie. In the
last picture, I found myself looking at everything around him, but this time I
was watching him. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are also back as Harry's pals Ron
and Hermione. Both are splendid.
I
really enjoyed watching these three young actors together because they spin genuine
chemistry. Harry Potter also boasts a cast of veterans including Maggie Smith
and Kenneth Branagh. Jason Issacs is wonderfully evil as Malfoy, the father of
Harry's young nemesis Draco (Tom Felton looking like a child version of Owen Wilson).
And of course, we have the late, great Richard Harris as the wise Dumbledorf.
I watched him perform with great sadness knowing that I'll never see this fine
actor in future films. At least we have all the wonderful work he left behind.
This
franchise has already been proclaimed by many, the Wizard of Oz for a new generation.
While I wouldn't go that far, I do think that this entry succeeds where the last
one failed. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets also succeeds in getting me
curious about the next film in the series (due in 2004). Following Harry Potter
and the Sorcerer's Stone, I really had scant expectations for the follow up.
Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets will make tons of money, as parents and children
will flock to this phenomenon. A word to the wise, however. This movie is long
and features some very scary stuff. In fact, I'm sure a PG-13 rating was close.
Still, I really enjoyed myself. Thankfully, this Harry Potter is much more spell-binding
than the first.
