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Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (Widescreen Edition) Customer Reviews (22 - 24 of 81 Reviews)

The secret is out...
The greatest magical feat by the Harry Potter world is that it has made readers out of millions of children of all ages. It doesn't take a wizard to know that means the stories would be interpreted for the big screen. The first film HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERERS STONE came across well, a plotty, pretty introductory document of the book. The film tended to be slavish to the book which resulted in a two and a half hour running time.

Already with the second visit to Hogwarts, HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, J.K.Rowling has created a longer book, a trend that would continue all the way through the most recent book. So, the filmmakers had to face facts. These movies are going to have to abridge the stories not better, but more. And the more that is cut, the angrier fanatics will get. So, with this second film, still under the helm of Chris Columbus (HOME ALONE), we fly a more streamlined broom. There is less time required on introduction; the story comes across more focused, less episodic, and a bit darker, scarier. This is another solid offering, but not as successful as the third in the series, THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN that better captured the fun of the books.

The superb cast remains intact here with Kenneth Branagh stealing many a scene as the egotistical fop, Gilderoy Lockhart, five time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award. He takes on the duties of the abandoned Defense Against the Dark Arts professorship, a job that always comes under scrutiny within each Potter story.

The special effects are better this time around, less rushed and already established. One of the most amazing elements is the difference between our young lead performers. Between films, the boys voices drop lower.

One of the best improvements in regards to this film in particular is the DVD releases bonus materials. Although it is still a bit to playfuil in trying to find the material, it is more useful. Interviews with cast and crew are much more valuable than the game-like environment dominating the Sorcerer's Stone DVD.

Overall, HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS is still solid entertainment, entertaining and leading hopefully toward more streamlined films in the franchise.


The Worst Out of the Series As of Now
Compared to the other two movies that have been released, this has to be the worst of them. It seems to just drag on for hours on end, and even though I enjoyed the book greatly, it was not my favorite movie. I cannot insult it too greatly as it is Harry Potter, a favorite of mine, but I will say, defintley not a purchase movie. This one's a rental.

No surprises!
What can I tell you? Nothing much. This is because there are no more surprises in this movie. It's all the same. A new school year, Quidditch match, difficulties with harry's family.

Ok , maybe the part where they got stuck in the tree was fun but the rest is just ... common. I expect the same things in the coming films and I'll just be waiting for the DVD release.

Better not waste your cash on slouching in the cinema watching something that's practically the same but with different titles and twists.

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