Rating: Summary: GOOD FOR YOUNG AND OLD!! Review: I SAW IT WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS, WHO BROUGHT THEIR CHILDREN; WHOSE CHILDREN WERE 6-15 YEARS OLD AND THEY ALL LOVED IT!! THE CHILDREN ALL SAID IT WAS MUCH DARKER,THAN THE FIRST. BUT, ALL STATED THEY WOULD SEE IT AGAIN. MY ONLY COMMENT IS GO WITH YOUR CHILD.
Rating: Summary: Yet Another Well-Done Potter Film in "Chamber of Secrets." Review: "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is a wonderfully faithful adaptation of the second book in the series, and I do recommend it to you. This time out, the actors, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry,) Emily Watson (Hermione,) and Rupert Grint (Ron,) are hitting puberty and it is a noticable change from the previous film. The actors are slightly older, and the story involves a scarier premise than the first. When a scrawny elf fails to convince Harry that horrible things will happen if he goes back to the Hogwarts School, horrible things, in fact, DO happen, and Harry begins to take the brunt of the blame. It is up to our three heroes to investigate the goings-on within Hogwarts, and to solve a mystery that could spell doom for the whole wizarding world. The main three actors have all taken on their roles with a freshness and excitement that makes them a joy to watch. There is a good deal of suspense in this film, and there is some scarier scenes that may be too much for smaller children to handle, but that is up to parents to decide for their kids. It is a great ride, and I suggest you hop onboard the Hogwart's Express and take the journey yourself, or you will be sorry indeed. Finally, WATCH THE END CREDITS after the film. If you do not sit through the end credits, you will have missed a small, but very humorous scene.
Rating: Summary: uneven but generally entertaining film Review: 2001's "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," the first in the series of films based on the J.K Rowling novels, had a strong first half and a weak second. The follow-up feature, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," reverses that formula, actually becoming better as the movie goes on. In this new film, we miss that air of freshness and novelty - as well as the wit - that came with the getting-to-know-you opening section of "Sorcerer's Stone." As compensation, "Chamber of Secrets" offers a better overall storyline and a greater sense of mystery. Devotees of the novels will require no plot iteration here. Suffice it to say that, in this installment, Harry becomes involved with unearthing the deep dark secret that has the whole Hogwarts Academy in an uproar - a secret involving a mysterious hidden chamber, the death of a student 50 years previous, and an assortment of creatures and monsters that Harry must battle in order to save the school and everyone in it. This film appears to be far darker in tone than the original, so much so that one wonders if very young children might not be unduly disturbed by some of the proceedings. For adults, the darkness may make the whole thing a little less cutesy and a little more palatable than the first time around. Once again, director Chris Columbus has gathered a veritable who's-who of wonderful British performers to flesh out his enormous gallery of characters. Of the seasoned veterans, the late Richard Harris (in what turns out to be his final screen appearance in fact) brings a quiet dignity to the role of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, and Maggie Smith provides just the proper balance of humanity and stiff-upper-lipped starchiness in the part of Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. Kenneth Branagh, cut loose from his Shakespearean shackles, seems to be having the time of his life, hamming it up as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, a vain charlatan who makes the Wizard of Oz look like the soul of veracity. Of the neophytes, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint are still wonderful as Harry and his buddy, Ronald, but, alas, Emma Watson's role as the spunky Hermione has been sadly minimized in this story for she seems to be off screen more often than not during much of this movie's action. That's a real shame. In the special effects department, "Chamber of Secrets" does a first-rate job bringing much of the story's magic to life on the screen. The superb art direction and set design help to create an entire world where witchcraft and sorcery are commonplace occurrences. Cinematographer Roger Platt brings a nice burnished glow to the film's look, particularly in the castle interiors, which always seem to be lit by soft candlelight. John Williams' musical score never hits the heights of his great works ("The Empire Strikes Back," "E.T." etc.), but it is adequate to the task at hand. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" won't exactly carry you away in the way that the great fantasy films invariably do, but it does make for a couple of diverting hours nonetheless. Considering what else is out there at the moment, that may be the highest praise one can offer.
Rating: Summary: I loved it because of the three hot guys in the movie! Review: If you are a girl thirteen and under you will love this movie! Rupert grint was a cute guy! Tom Felton is a cute bad boy...is it hot in here? And Daniel Radcliffe is a (Hottie)!!! Yes three hot guys in one movie! your getting a treat all of you girls! trust me. Thats mainly the reason why I saw it..but I do love the books.
Rating: Summary: A Good Feature Film: A Must See for All J.K. Rowling Fans Review: This film was greatly better than the first Harry Potter film. There was better acting in the movie, more intense action, and a little more of the book was added to this film. Some of the actors were showing that they are becoming adolesences, and the movie was for an age a little higher than the last film. Chris Columbus had more of a taste of want the movie-watchers wanted to see, and obviously took control of that. Everything seemed much more dramtic in this film thanks to scarier music and lower voices by some of the actors. A much more intense and exciting movie, I say that if you thought the frist film was OK or y'just liked it, this is the movie for you to see.
Rating: Summary: The Chamber of Boredom Review: Don't see this movie. Read the book instead. A huge disappointment! After all the hype I was expecting something much better. The script is unimaginative and acting terrible. The special effects are average. Mind-numbing tripe. This movie is a video "Cliff Notes" of the book. The characters are one-dimensional talking heads reciting lines. I wanted to gnaw my arm off to get out of the theater, but I was with friends and didn't want to be rude. A complete waste of 155 minutes of my life.
Rating: Summary: They did a good job Review: I really enjoyed Chamber of Secrets and so did everyone that went with me. Was it better than the 1st movie? Probably in the fact that the 2nd book was more developed also. I have to applaud the director. He had to make a movie that could stand on it's own for excitement and plot and yet had a very well known book to be faithful to. Can you imagine the uproar if he hadn't? Sure not everything is in there and sure not everything translates how we "think" it should but no one has 10 hours to see a movie either. The casting is great once more, however I wonder if they shot the latter scenes 1st. In the beginning of the movie Ron's (Rupert Grint) voice seem to crack and it appeared that Malfoy was decidedly taller (maybe it was just me). The new additions to the cast were wonderful. I too wonder who the next "Dumbledore" will be. I think that they should keep the entire cast for the 3rd movie for all the returning characters. As for the kids getting "too old", I disagree - even though it takes a little longer for the movie to be made, each book is a year later so it allows for the actors to get older too. Daniel Radcliffe isn't 17 trying to play a 12 year old. As far as plot mix ups. I too think the Pheonix healing Harry should have come before Tom Riddle's demise but.. I watched the spiders but closed my eyes when the "eat slug" part came (do NOT like slugs) All in all I thought it was a very good, entertaining movie and would go see it again but don't have the 2 hrs 40 minutes to spend right now. (The time went by fast though - the children I was with barely moved they were so riveted). I plan on getting the DVD.
Rating: Summary: Adaptations. Review: Obviously, Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets wasn't going to be a word for word rendition of the book. Without some scenes, such as the Deathday Party and Percy Weasley's budding romance with Penelope Clearwater, the story flows better. Other omissions such as Lockhart's Valentine Day follies, and the Malfoys' visit to Knockturn Alley, mean the sacrifice of explanation of events such as Ginny ransacking Harry Potter's dormitory for Riddle's Diary, or Lucius Malfoy's discarding of dangerous items, and that sacrifice doesn't work so well. I would have liked to see more of Fred and George's antics, too. In the papers many of the reviewers, even those who, like me, liked the film, complained that the film was too long. There is a good reason for such complaints, and for the relief at the end of the film. Although adequately dressed for the day, which was slightly cooler than average for the end of November, I found myself sitting under an icy-cold air conditioning duct so that I was shivering with cold long before the Christmas scenes, and by the time Harry found the diary in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, I was longing for a bathroom myself. All the talk of pipes, plumbing, water overflowing etc made the problem worse. But like the rest of the audience, I still remained glued to my seat. I can't wait for the film to come out in VHS & DVD so that I can revisit the film in comfort.
Rating: Summary: Simply Excellent Review: I am sure you loved the first Harry Potter movie. The second, is, as you probably already expect, even better by quite a bit. There is a little more humor for one thing, mainly because of Dobby the house elf, and a few other things. The phoenix, is simply beautiful inside the Chamber of Secrets, and it goes perfectly with the book. However, Daniel Radcliffe's voice has changed. You will find a difference in Harry's voice. Ron's voice isn't too different, but Rupert Grint's voice has changed a little too. Emma Watson's voice has not changed at all. Ginny's voice is a little different than it was in the first too, but you can hardly tell it, because she only spoke two words in the first. Plus, it is 161 minutes or so, so if you can't sit down for that long... There is excitement in the movie as well, as you will be able to feel, as the dark plot of the movie goes along. Also, avoid taking children under the age of 7. There are some parts in this movie that will make them scream, such as, there is the basilisk in the Chamber, a giant snake in the Dueling Club, great big spiders in the Forbidden Forest, (a rather exciting scene of the movie), and the basilisk says a lot of dark things to Harry, because he understands the snake language of Parseltongue. If you watch in a theatre, rent, or buy this movie, believe me, it is worth every single penny. I hope you found this review helpful.
Rating: Summary: MUCH Better than the FIRST!!! 4.5 Review: Last year, when I have seen the sorcerers stone, I liked the movie but I was quite disappointed that it showed one of the weakest points in fantasy. The story stayed quite the same but it went off topic of the story, the action and the scaryness is very little which had disappointed the adults. It was a simple suggestion that the Sorcerers stone was too childish and did not give much attention to the adults or the teenagers which was a big problem of how the second one is going to be made out. But, after I have seen the 'Chamber of Secrets' it has really changed my opinion and my prediction. It is more scarier (For kids and may be for adults), more exciting and most importantly, the story really made sense which understands more about Harry Potter, his friends and what is Hogwarts school really about. Harry Potter has successfully upgraded itself to the chamber of secrets and it is way better than the first one. There has been a lot of changes between the first and the second. Firstly, The sound (also its effects) and the music has very much changed from the adventure at Hogwarts to The exciting action music which is loud and scary for kids. The sound effects has been frequently used which made the people very scared and surprised. Not only that, but this time, they have placed the effects in the right time, right tone and in the right scene. I was especially given a shock when a monster suddenly came out from the water. Between the fighting or the climax of the movie, the music lifts up to create tense for kids and a roller-coaster ride for the older audience. The sounds is great, loud and sometimes scary. It has successfully put the audience (especially the kids) turn on to the movie. The first movie however was a marginal pass to the sounds as it was not scary enough. The second movie for the sound compensated the disappointment of the first one and made the sounds loud, clear and exciting. Secondly, the scene is more natural, fast (Important scenes where necessary) and exciting like you are in a roller coaster. In some scenes it made you want to follow that direct movement especially when it came to Quidditch. The movement was very fast and enjoyable. The night scene was made scary as ghost and blood writing (MAY BE A SPOILER FOR SOME) is more realistic and more art vision as usual. The background of the movie is just like the story told itself. So this part was also made a great deal of change. Thirdly, the cast of this movie is improved and more better. (They can act better too!). Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has made a radiant change to his personality in the character. When he was in the Sorcerers stone, he had the look of Harry Potter but he did not had the charm and the acting to be the character of the story. His acting was good but not strong enough to fit in to his character. He may had a weak value of what Harry Potter was as it was to the story. But on the second movie 'Chamber of secrets' he had changed his acting, personality and the character of Harry Potter which made me like apologize to him after the remark that I made about him at the First movie. His character acting has made him heroic, brave and a lot more courage to himself and others. He had more pride in how his character is set to be alive from the story. Hermionie (Emma Watson) has gone more prettier and more smarter and Ron (Rupert Grint) is more fun. Even Malfoy has gone more evil which made the character in Harry Potter more hateful and scary. The adult character is more advanced as well with the new ones. It is a shame that Professor Dumbledore (Richard Harris) has died after he had made an honorable act towards to the story. All the cast in Harry Potter is more better than they did. Finally, the story made sense as well. It had more details and much fun to see as you have seen it in a book. Although they have made it shorter as it was to the story, it made me feel like I have been in the cinema for 1 hour. Chris Colombus has made that successful. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets" is a very successful movie to change and made it better than the first one. It has not only made it fun for kids but now, this movie has made it more enjoyable to adults. The first movie was a warm-up, the second movie is now the beginning of Harry Potter's adventure. It is more darker, scarier and exciting to all ages and I strongly recommend everyone to see it. I strongly recommend U to see the second one. It is more better and exciting than what you may have been predicting. Rating: 9 out of 10 (A)
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