MOVIE REVIEW: Potter bedazzles once again — Grade A
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” puts a spell over the holiday movie season and offers what will go down as the best family movie of the year.
With that said, don’t think for one minute this is only a movie for kids or those with kids. Anyone who loves a little magic and a lot of adventure will enjoy this movie. Those who have read the books by J.K. Rowling will find that this film follows the book almost better than the first one, and with a film adaptation, that is a good thing.
The first thing to mention about this film is that it is better than the first one. I would not call this a sequel though. I don’t think it was ever meant to be one. If you missed the first, you will be a little behind on characters, but the story is so self-contained you will not be missing anything. No, this is a series of films and each one is very much a separate movie.
Part of what makes “Chamber” work so well is simply the production team stayed very much the same. Director Chris Columbus returned to head up the project. Screen-writer Steve Kloves again transforms the book to screen. This deserves special mention, the script is a masterful work, getting a story within the time frame of a movie without compromising the book in any way.
Now the cast – The returning professors and staff are wonderful in their own right. But with names like Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane and the late Richard Harris, you really cannot go wrong. The addition of Jason Issacs and Kenneth Branagh only makes the film stronger. This is an amazing collection of some of the finest actors working today.
The real magic happens with the kids. Returning to the role of Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe has matured. Not just in age but as an actor. He has come into his own in the role and earns top honors with this go at Hogwarts. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasly and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger also deserve accolades. Watson was very refreshing to watch, much of the whining and bite are gone this time around. Grint has perhaps the best-scripted lines in the film and handles them with ease.
With several other new characters and hidden aspects of Hogwarts, this movie is one of the year’s best. The final battle sequence is very true to the book and was handled well. This is exciting and fresh, everything a movie should be. Realistic effects and beautiful film making just in time for Christmas.
This film is darker, quicker and more fun than the first. It is worth more than $6 and an evening at the theater. Also just a side note, there is a treat at the end for those who are willing to sit through the credits. At least I thought it was funny.
Justin Berry is working toward his second bachelor’s degree in theater performance. Comments can be sent to
justinsb26@hotmail.com