"Harry. How wonderful it is to see you dear."
From the very beginning we can tell there are going to be dire dangers served up for our main character. Harry James Potter
(Daniel Radcliffe) is warned not to return to
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizards, by Dobby the House Elf, a cute but tragic character whose fate in life is to serve as a virtual
slave. Dobby wants to save Harry's life so he warns him away but of course Harry doesn't listen which is a good thing or we wouldn't
have a movie, would we? Actually Harry's Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths) has locked him in his bedroom and it isn't until
Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) arrives with his parent's flying car that the two escape off to school. Even the flight back to school turns
into a hair raising experience, but, they do arrive at long last safe and sound.
"Make sure you speak very clearly."
The story quickly introduces us to the old and new adult characters of which we do not see much of in this film. The story can not waste any
valuable time on unnecessary characters or scenes. Except for the times the adults are needed to move the story along or to give needed
insights we see little of them. Kenneth Branagh's new character Gilderoy Lockhart is the one adult character we will see often as he
plays a pivitol roll in our mysterious plot. Gilderoy is a famous writer in the magical community. His popular autobiography
"Magical Me" leads to him into becoming the new Defense Against The Dark Arts professor. Branagh does a wonderful hammy job
bringing this wacky character to life.
"We have a different idea of what disgraces the name wizard...Malfoy."
Unfortunately this is the last time we will see actor Richard Harris play Albus Dumbledore. The death of this venerable and
wonderful actor will mean the character will have to be recast for the rest of the series. Our loss. Harris played everything from King Arthur
to an English aristocrat in a MAN CALLED HORSE, a role he will always be remembered for even though it was not his best.
"I think we found the train."
This time around Harry and his friends not only continue to study new spells and participate in the game of Quiddich but must also solve a
mystery that could spell the end of Hogwarts. A mystery that could cost Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione (Emma Watson)
their lives. Some mysterious goings on cause students harm in the form of being turned to stone. The secret seems to have something to do
with a fabled secret chamber that exists in Hogwarts. The catch is no one knows where it is and those who may know are put in peril.
"Dad's going to kill me."
Supposedly this secret chamber can only be opened by a descendant of the Salazar Slytherin, the more sinister of the school's co-founders.
Rumours have it that inside the chamber is a monster that can kill or at least petrify the students. Dos it really contain a monster...of course
it does; after all the readers of the books know all about the story and those who don't, can easily see the Basilisk in store shelves
everywhere, just in time for Christmas. This is an important point for Warner Brothers, the distributor of the film. They will get 15 cents out of
every dollar you spent in the stores. Harry Potter is definitely a big money making machine.
"The mandrake cry will kill anyone who hear them."
Harry and friends quickly begin putting the clues together. Harry learns much from Moaning Myrtle (Shirley Henderson) a character
critical to the plot. The biggest answers come from the magical diary of a former student named Tom Marvolo Riddle played by Christian
Coulson. The catch is that the diary is totally blank. When Harry asks the diary a question, the answers are magically written on it's pages.
The answers provide clues to Harry but they may not all be helpful...some could kill him.
"Take a good look boys, this is the last year we may be here."
On his quest for answers Harry hears voices that call to him, voices that only he can hear. Those voices take him to places that cause him to
be suspected of the heinous crimes against the students of Hogwarts. The answer to some his questions come from herds of spiders he sees
always leaving the scenes of the crimes. These spiders lead him to a really excellent scene involving a talking giant spider and thousands of
large spiders who have it out for all humans. This is an excellent sequence that brings back visions of this summers other spider movie,
EIGHT LEGGED FREAKS. It should give the young kids some nightmares, so hold them tight.
"It's my job to warn you of the wickedest creature known to man."
Speaking of special effects. We were speaking about them weren't we? Director Chris Columbus has made sure that the effects
do not over power the story but instead add to it beautifully. The effects just seem to belong; they do not distract from the story. Production
designer Stuart Craig helped to create a wonderful world full of intrigue and mystery. The costumes are also wonderful.
"Eat slugs!!!"
Since I've detoured away from the story, I want to mention my favourite scenes which involve plants. A new character Professor Sprout
(Miriam Margolyes) teaches biology, to the classes. She teaches the peculiar properties of the mandrake root. The scene where
all the students tear the mandrake roots out of the ground is priceless. The plants scream their high pitched screech to the point that you
have to cover your ears but it looks so cool, that it really impressed me.
"Come to me. Come to me."
Along the way to finding the chamber, Harry learns secrets about himself that will surely effect him in the future movies. I can only guess
what they will be, since I have never read the books nor do I intend to ever read them. Harry discovers there is more to him than meets the
eye.
"Make sure you speak very clearly."
During another priceless scene we see Professor Dumbledore trying to lead Harry in the right direction. In this scene we are treated to the
destruction and rebirth of a Phoenix. It is an interesting scene that will have some consequences later on in the film.
"The chamber of secrets has been opened."
The story eventually takes us into the chamber of secrets where we see the now older Harry wielding a deadly sword to take on the deadly
Basilisk and the true villian. Harry is a threat to this character and his intentions are simple. Eliminate his enemy, Harry.
"It is said to be the home of a monster."
The scenes with the Basilisk are wonderful. The action and cgi graphics are smooth and seemless. The action here is fast paced and brings
the film nicely to it's conclusion. It's scary of course since as I said earlier this is a darker film than the the first.
"Well, he can't feel any pain."
To the parents we give the warning that this sequel is darker and more intense than the first film. Director Chris Columbus still maintains
that it is true to the book even though some things are missing from the novel and other scenes were made longer to make them work
cinematically.
One important thing to remember with this movie is to not drink any of your cold drinks for at least one half hour after the movie starts.
This is necessary so as to not have to make that mad dash to the washroom during the film. So basically the film is a real treat and
as long as you think your children are up the time and material challenge then you should take them to see
HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS.
"Dobby is used to death threats."
  
"Dobby wants only Harry Potter to be safe."
"It means our students are in great danger."
"This is out of my hands, Potter."
"Cheers...I think I'm going to be sick."
"Is there something you wish to tell me?"
"Hagrid opened the chamber of secrets fifty years ago."
"Hagrid never opened the chamber of secrets."
"Follow the spiders, follow the spiders."
"You're a fraud."
"Really quite filthy down here."
"The bird may have blinded the Basilisk but it can still hear you."
"You have no more than a minute to live."
"Of course, Phoenix's have healing powers."
"Harry Potter free Dobby. How can Dobby ever repay him."
"There's no Hogwarts with out you Hagrid."
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