This week I'm continuing my series of Harry Potter reviews where I'm re-reading the books and re-watching and reviewing the films, drawing comparisons when possible. One interesting thing to note is that this review is being published on the day students always returned to Hogwarts, September 1st, making it even more timely. I'm writing these reviews every two weeks to allot time for me to read the books with my hectic schedule and space them out evenly till the release of the prequel/spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. In the meantime look forward to a post detailing the 5 Hidden Gems & 5 Biggest Disasters of the summer movie season along with reviews of Don't Breathe, Sing Street, The Light Between Oceans, and a Throwback Thursday Review of Saving Private Ryan all within the next week. The following week I will follow up with my Throwback Thursday Review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' Review
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the book-to-film adaptation of the second novel in the series, which finds Harry Potter beginning his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Potter learns of a mysterious threat that will jeopardize the safety of the students and must find a way to stop it for the sake of Hogwarts' future.
Chris Columbus returns to helm the sequel and recaptures the aesthetic and tone from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, not a bad thing considering the two books share this problem and Columbus is adapting the source material, but it does feel like Columbus is merely playing in the same sandbox instead of traversing new ground.
The Chamber of Secrets luckily doesn't share the burden of introducing the sprawling world of wizardry and is afforded the opportunity to jump straight into the mix of things. The film's screenplay penned by returning screenwriter Steve Kloves is a straight adaptation of the novel for the most part, only leaving out extraneous scenes and slight details, although there are an extended versions of both The Chamber of Secrets and The Sorcerer's Stone that may be more of a cut-and-paste transition from book-to-movie.
The culmination of incredible production design, costume design, practical effects, and CGI bring all the aspects of the wizarding world to life ranging from a meek house elf to an enchanted flying car. The CGI is a significant improvement from that seen in The Sorcerer's Stone as the Quidditch matches look more real this time around since the characters never looked too animated whilst zooming around on brooms. John Williams returns once again creating illustrious compositions, regardless of the fact some main themes were carried over.
The performances once again fill the wizarding world with heart and soul. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson are quite the capable trio of young actors and perform excellently as the heroic Harry Potter, the kind-hearted Ron Weasley, and the snarky Hermoine Granger and their chemistry is electrifying.
The wide ensemble of supporting Hogwarts peers and professors includes Maggie Smith as the harsh and compassionate Professor Minerva McGonagall, Robbie Coltrane as the fluffy well-intentioned Hagrid, Alan Rickman as the sketchy Potions Professor Severus Snape, Matthew Lewis as the clumsy Neville Longbottom, and Tom Felton as the despicable Draco Malfoy. Newcomers are Toby Jones' cute and obnoxious house elf Dobby, Kenneth Branagh's dimwitted Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, Shirley Henderson's annoying Moaning Myrtle, and Jason Isaac's malicious Lucius Malfoy. Other important standout characters are the tremendous Weasley family consisting of Julie Walters, Mark Williams, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Chris Rankin, and Bonnie Wright in addition to the rotten scoundrel Dursleys; Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, and Harry Melling.
Sadly, The Chamber of Secrets was Richard Harris' last turn as the sagely headmaster Albus Dumbledore since Harris passed shortly afterwards and the role was passed on but he does quite well in his final performance.
The Chamber of Secrets holds up remarkably well for a 14 year old film in regards to special effects and thanks to fantastic technical elements, a magical score, an exceptional cast, and a spellbinding story, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets proved to be just as enchanting as the first.
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