MOVIE REVIEW: Potter bedazzles once again — Grade A-
As I stood in line with the hundreds of other people waiting to see “The Chamber of Secrets” Saturday at Jordan Commons in Sandy, I never once wondered if it would be worth it. I knew it would be.
From the minute I started reading the first book, I recognized the magic inherent in this story of an orphaned wizard and his schoolmates. The air was charged with the same magic as fans filled the Kent Concert Hall-sized theater. Children settled in oversized beanbags in front of the largest screen I have ever seen in my life.
As the lights dimmed, the crowd hushed. The usual commercials and previews filled the screen. Most passed without notice, the exception being the preview for “The Two Towers,” which the audience acknowledged with applause and cheers. As the camera finally zeroed in on the mundane house of Harry’s muggle aunt and uncle, the magic electrified the audience into a state of wonder and awe. The magic of Harry Potter has continued.
“Chamber of Secrets” follows the same well-known characters in their second year at school while introducing a few new ones such as Lucius Malfoy (Draco’s father), Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh as the new glitzy defense against the dark arts teacher) and computer-animated Dobby the house elf.
“Chamber” is also a better movie than the first installment was. Maybe it is because the actors (the three kids in particular) have matured in their abilities and are therefore more believable as their characters. Or maybe its because director Chris Columbus (“Home Alone”) has realized he isn’t an Oscar-winning director and is focusing on what he can give to audiences instead of what he can’t.
One of the major drawbacks for moviegoers may be the film’s length – a whopping two hours and 46 minutes. Maybe they tried to be too faithful to the book, but honestly it didn’t seem that long. Some films (the first half of “Titanic” and “Meet Joe Black”) are the type where you start checking your watch to see how much is left. This one was over almost before I knew it, the sign of an entertaining film.
My biggest gripe with the film: no recognition or memorial for its late star Richard Harris (Dumbledore). “Chamber” was the last film for this king among actors.
As the final shot dissolved into the credits, the crowd broke into enthusiastic cheering. Kids with drawn on lightning bolt scars and flowing black robes danced in front of the monolithic screen and played lightsabers with their plastic wands. They may stop smiling and dancing when they find out they have to wait two more years for the third film to be released.
All in all, the Harry Potter franchise is headed in the right direction. This film is a must for Potter fans of all ages.
Jared Sterzer is a senior studying business information systems. Comments can be sent to jwsterz@cc.usu.edu.