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Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (Widescreen Edition)

Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (Widescreen Edition)

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: The Magic Continues
Review: This DVD has a terrific transfer and the audio is top-notch. The second disc of bonus material has been done a lot better thatn the one from The Sorcer's Stone. This time. you don't have to play the games to get teh bonus material if you don't want to. Thank goodness!

Some of that bonus material is deleated scenes. A couple of which should have been left in the film as they help to define characters and set up plot points. They're a joy to see.

Also enjoyable is the interview with Chris Colombus and J.K. Rowling. It's obvious how much they care for the characters and the wizzarding world.

As for the movie itself, well it's SO much better than the first one. The kids are much more comfortable in their roles and therefore pull you in t the story that much more. The story itself is darker than the first, dealing with a mysterious force petrifying the students and staff. It might be too much for the youngest of children, but kids over 7 should have no problems with it. This is one movie that will be watched over and over and over again. Well worth the purchase price.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best in the collection!!
Review: We have a lot of DVD's in our collection, and this one is by far the most-viewed. The thrilling plot and climax keep you on the edge of your seat, even after you have read the book!! Daniel Radcliffe gives an excellent portrayl of Harry Potter, as do the other actors and actresses. Even if you aren't a big fan, you should still view the movie as it has amazing technology advances, an exciting plot and climax, and excellent actors. Not just for kids!! A highly reccomended movie from a Harry Potter freak!!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: All plot and no wit makes Harry Potter a dull boy
Review: First, parents beware. Kids under, say, six or so should NOT see this movie. Too scary. And I would say use your judgment on kids under ten - if they are prone to nightmares then these monsters seem to be designed to provoke them.

If you liked the first Harry Potter movie you will probably like this one as well. As with the first, it's beautifully lit and photographed, and there's great attention to detail in the art direction. But if you didn't like the first, well, I don't think that there's anything here that will change your mind. The characters are still one dimensional - no complexity whatsoever. The plot is pretty easy to figure out by half way through the movie. And of course it's hard to sustain any suspense at all because you know Harry can't be killed off - he's coming back in another movie.

Which brings me to the big question I have about this movie. Who is the intended audience? It's made too scary for young kids. It's too dull for adults. And I'm sure teenagers will steer clear of anything that has to do with Harry Potter. So who's going to see this movie? Well, the answer is fans of the book, of which there are many. God bless 'em.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The Return of evil muggle filmmakers to Hogwarts!
Review: I hoped Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets would be better then the first. It is but the DVD isn't. Chris Columbus still thinks of HP as a childrens' franchise (growls. Why couldn't it be the book and only the book now. Those were the good days.) Anyway I hoped for better I got the same. There are a few more behind the scenes stuff but the DVD should be all behind the magic. It is still full of games designed for kids under 8. My 11 year old brother even called the DVD disappointing. Lets just cross our fingers and pray that the Prisoner of Azkaban DVD will be more teen or adult centered.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Awesome DVD!!!!
Review: This was an awesome. I bought it myself b/c I hadn't seen it in theaters. When I got it home, I popped it in and when it was over, I was like "This is awsome!!" b/c it was really was awesome. I think that EVERYONE should see this movie!!!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: In between 4 and 5
Review: As most would certainly agree, this film outperforms its predecessor. The action is a bit livelier, with some unpredictable jolts that can shake a viewer in a dark room. The producers manage to keep the plot entertaining for a range of ages by peppering it with adult humor, as well as ageless action scenes.

Unless the name "Harry Potter" draws a scowl from a family member, most any person with children, or the heart of a child, will want to add this movie to their collection. Even if you don't buy this one, it's worth renting.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: A good effort, but rushed due to age restrictions.
Review: Harry Potter should not have been made into movies. It may be a good idea, but every character has age restrictions, making the films rushed and causing people heart attacks when Harry's character gets a pimple or has a growth spurt. Another major criticism is that, like the first, more is put into the special effects than the plot and the storyline. The final con would be that, like the book, the plot elements are so obvious that they could have signs reading "MAJOR PLOT ELEMENT" next to them and give the same effect. Despite these flaws, it has some decent acting, making it not completely horrible, and for children or big fans of the series, I would give it 4 stars for being so faithful to the book.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: No Magical
Review: The Harry Potter franchise is so popular and such a box office powerhouse that critics must refuse to lambast it for fear of losing their license. If The Chamber of Secrets had been released as a movie before the books were ever written (indulge in my fantasy), it would not have received such glowing reviews.

It is a dark, dull adventure too scarey for very young veiwers and too silly for adults. It is a preteen fantasy film, but that's all it is. Yes, it has great effects if you don't mind the type of CGI cartoon realism we now must endure thanks to Episodes 1-3, but there's nothing magical about the journey this film takes you on. It compares poorly to films like Willy Wonka, Wizard of Oz, The Lord of the Rings, and even the Goonies for that matter in it's utter lack of joy - tacking on a corny ending complete with wide grins and a standing ovation doesn't count (think Episode 6). All of the above mentioned movies, and there are many more, were capable of mixing whimsey with scarey moments and packaging the adventure in such a way that you feel you've just been on a dangerous but magical adventure.

My suggestion for the next installment. First, get a new, younger Harry Potter. Doctor Who did it, you can too. Second, ask the editors to cut the extended denoument = here's a thought: end on a dramatic moment, we can fill in the after-gaps ourselves. Third, hire someone who understands humor - your attempts at humor/light moments miss the mark (she accidently temorarily turns herself into a cat - HILARIOUS! not). Fourth, what a lame sport - i'm sure it translates better in the book. Fifth, eliminate any cgi character that inverts its sentences or talks about itself using it's own name. Sixth, give the director/writers enough backbone NOT to be so faithful to the book. Lord of the Rings this is not. Seventh, enough with the "breaking the rules" schtick, we get it. Eigth, surely there are some adults in the story who can save the day every once in a while. Ninth, think 2 hours or less. Tenth, do whatever you want and laugh all the way to the bank.

In the future, when all the hoopla is over, history will not judge these movies favorably.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Movie
Review: I was forced to watch the first one by my 4 year old daughter. I was hooked. Then I watched this one and I am purchasing the books. This is such a great story and as the collection continues to grow so the does the fun involved with it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Superbly brilliant fantasy, with deep meaning!
Review: I am a huge fan of the "Harry Potter Series" by J.K. Rowling, and was thoroughly delighted when Warner Brothers began making films based on the books. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was verry enjoyable, but I particularly enjoyed "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" because it is my fivorite book in the series, and because the actors/actresses portraying the characters seem more well-rounded. I was spellbound (pardon the pun!) from the verry beginning of the film, and I especially liked the sceens at the Weasley household. Despite some minor changes and omissions, which, in my opinion, are regrettably missed, but which do not take away from the plot, the story unfolds, and though the second book in the series is a bit more sinister, as Harry's struggles against his ultimate enemy, Lord Voldemort, are more sinister and suspenseful, director Chris Columbus does well at adding light touches which actually made me laugh out loud, (that's pretty rare) during a movie. Richard Harris is absolutely outstanding as Dumbledore, and of course the kids' are terrific. I must give a quick compliment to actor Christian Coulsen, who portrayed Tom Riddle. I'm sure that it took an awfully lot of work to portray that particular character, because I know from personal experionce that playing a villain/villainess takes a lot of work. Good job! Everyone should take the time to see this movie in order to appreciate the wonderful acting skills, and the deep lessons of self-sacrifice, loyalty, and the point of being careful and not being deceived. Take care, and happy watching to you all!


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