|
Quote of the Moment
|
|
"I believe there's a hero in all of us, gives us strength, makes us noble, even though sometimes we have to give up the thing we want the most."
- Aunt May, Spider-Man 2
|
|
|
|
|
Rating:  out of five
Written By: Kelvin Hui
Welcome Back Potter! Based on the best-selling books, the films have also made their impact in this world. The second installment in the supposedly seven that will be made and released of the movie franchise is better than the first one. If you liked the first one, you will love the second one. And if you already loved the original...well then you're really going to love the sequel! This is not to say that Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was not good, it was. Only there were a few more problems with it than there is with this one. Now let us get to the review right away, the magic begins right now!
The second film in the Potter series begins with Harry being locked up in his room by his uncle Vernon, who is dead-set against his return to Hogwarts. Dobby the house elf appears in Harry's room, telling him that terrible danger awaits him at Hogwarts. Despite the warning, Harry escapes his uncle's house when Ron picks him up in the Weasley's flying car, and the duo heads for the school of wizardry. Once there, Harry begins to hear a mysterious voice, and it turns out that the sinister Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The question is who was it that opened the Chamber? Unless the culprit can be found, the wizardry school may be doomed; it will have to be closed forever. Harry, Ron, and Hermione hatch a plot to find out what's behind it all.
Now let's start with the good stuff. This movie is darker, quicker, funnier, and has more action with very neat special effects than the first one. Most of the cast is back, this includes Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall, Alan Rickman as Severus Snape, Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid, and Richard Harris (who unfortunately passed away only a few weeks ago) as Albus Dumbledore. All of the actors and actresses are better than they were in the original; this especially pertains to the young three wizards. The trio have grown a year older and they seem to know how to act better as well. The returning cast is of course greatly appreciated but the newcomers are equally as welcome. There are a few new characters but the best addition to this film is Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart! He is the best thing that happened to this movie, he really brings comedy into his role very well. The film is once again helmed by director Chris Columbus and written by Steve Kloves who both once again do a good job.
The first good thing of the film is that it is darker and this is true. There were actually a couple of parts that frightened me and made me jump. No I'm not a wimp some scenes were honestly really scary! This may not sound good but trust me it is. The darkness adds more suspense and excitement to the film, besides being scared is fun...kind of. The books become darker with every year as well and I guess the movies will be the same. Another good thing about the film is that it is also quicker. The pacing of the film is better than the first; the filmmakers do a good job of transferring the novel to the movie. Now, this may be the best point of the film, it's funny! Like really funny! I found it to be almost hilarious; it has a great sense of humour. While the first one only made you smile or giggle, the sequel makes you laugh out loud. Gilderoy Lockhart and Ron Weasley provide most of the laughs, they are very good comedic actors. I really enjoyed Kenneth Branagh's performance and Rupert Grint is really growing into a funny man. The last good point of the movie is that it does indeed have more action with an improvement of the special effects as well. It is suspenseful and exciting; some of the action sequences really make you sit at the edge of your seat. For example, the Quidditch match is electrifying and the last scene is really thrilling.
Now to talk about the bad things. There were still a few problems in the film that hold it down from being great. Just like the first one, it is little overlong; it's approximately 2 hours and 41 minutes! I like the fact when movies are longer especially ones like the Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series; you do get your money's worth. This is good for anyone but when you are in the theatre, sitting for such a long time is tedious. Another bad point is that it is still a little boring, just a little bit. This is once again attributed to the length of the film once again because there were quite a few intense scenes already. And finally there are a couple of characters that are shall we say a little bit...annoying? Dobby the house elf, where nowhere as bad as Jar-Jar Binks, still gets on the nerves a little bit and it's the same story with Moaning Murtle. I know that these two characters are key to this film and the book but Chris Columbus could have toned it down a tad.
To conclude, after reviewing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, after I just watched it a few hours ago I must say that it was good. Surprisingly good. This movie is darker, quicker, funnier, and has more action with very neat special effects than the first one. People who did not like the first one or if it did not live up to their expectations, then they should really check this sequel out, it will definitely change their minds. I'm very glad that I was able to watch it and I'm looking forward to 2004 when Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban comes out, why it's only two years away! Make sure that you watch this film you will not be disappointed. The second year begins.
|
|
| | |
