November 2002
© 2002 Ernest Lilley / SFRevu
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UK Debut:
11/3/02 |
Harry Potter and the Chamber
of Secrets
(Warner Bros.)
Review by Sharon Archer
Directed by:
Chris Columbus Writing credits (WGA):
J.K. Rowling (novel) Steven Kloves (screenplay)
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe .... Harry James Potter
/ Emma Watson (II) .... Hermione Granger /
Rupert Grint .... Ron Weasley / Richard
Harris .... Albus Dumbledore / Maggie Smith
.... Professor Minerva McGonagall / Kenneth
Branagh .... Gilderoy Lockhart / Robbie
Coltrane .... Hagrid / Alan Rickman ....
Professor Severus Snape / Warwick Davis ....
Professor Filius Flitwick / Sean
Biggerstaff .... Oliver Wood / Shirley
Henderson (I) .... Moaning Myrtle / Miriam
Margolyes .... Professor Sprout / Alfred Burke
.... Headmaster Armando Dippet / Sally
Mortemore .... Madam Irma Pince / David
Bradley (IV) .... Groundskeeper Argus Filch
Movie goers of all ages, especially J. K.
Rowling’s legions of fans anxiously awaiting the overdue 5th
volume of the projected 7 book series, are sure to be delighted with the
latest rendition of the Harry Potter saga. The movie version of
the second volume in the series, The Chamber of Secrets recently
opened to well deserved accolades from fans and critics alike.
The Chamber of Secrets unites the intrepid
threesome of Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione
Granger embroiling them in another adventure as they begin their second
year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Something evil lurks within the hallowed halls of Hogwarts –
threatening the safety of all. Somewhere
is hidden a chamber which holds something deadly that someone has
unleashed. Who, What, Where? Why? It falls to Harry, with a little help
from his friends, to answer the questions and to save Hogwarts’ from a
horrible fate.
As was done with the first movie, Harry Potter
and the Sorcerer’s Stone, director Chris Columbus faithfully
adheres to this book’s somewhat darker, more complex storyline
succeeding in effectively integrating the elements of suspense, humor
and intrigue that are the earmarks of this appealing series.
Ably assisted by Production designer Stuart Craig
and others he successfully translates the author’s vision to the wide
screen. Once again we are
treated to a visually enchanting, emotionally satisfying mix of live
action and animation seamlessly blended as computer-aided animation
brings the wondrous creations of Rowling’s imagination gloriously and
realistically to life, while Columbus’ skillful direction and the
movie’s talented cast combine to infuse the characters and the
storyline with warmth and reality.
Peopled with villainous villains, admirable
role models and engaging heroes, Harry Potter and The
Chambers of Secrets is a movie that entertains on numerous levels.
Visually captivating, emotionally rewarding it combines lessons that
extol the virtues of loyalty, the power of friendship, the importance of
caring, the injustice of judging another’s worthiness based on their
origins rather than on their abilities and actions while at the same
time entertaining with an intriguing mystery, flashes of humor and a
rites of passage tale unfolding in a somewhat unconventional, always
interesting setting. Highly
Recommended.
© 2002 Ernest Lilley / SFRevu
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