Rating: 
Summary: harry potter chamber of secrets - is it better than HP1?
Review: harry potter chamber of secrets was not what i expected it to be. as an avid fan and collector of the book, i was slightly dismayed by the movie. don't get me wrong i did love it but it was a little far-fetched from the book. there were a lot of scenes that was different from the book and it was pretty fast paced. i was able to watch it 3x since it opened earlier here in our country, (wednesday is the sched for changing flicks). the movie was quite outstanding in its special effects although, i had a different idea in my mind how the basilisk should have look like. the movie focused more on the important points that would be important for the next films but some of the characters were not well developed, such as lockhart and the weasleys. acting -wise, i think the daniel and co was a little more believable. daniel radcliffe certainly made his presence known and was able to stand up to his role besides all those famous and honoured adult cast. the late richard harris was as usual, made me believe that HE WAS INDEED DUMBLEDORE!!! some of the cast though needs to polsih more their facial expressions. i don't know but i think they could do better than those scowling and glaring thing. memorable scenes in the movie was the flying car, lockhart's first day of class, the quidditch match, spiders in the dark forrest and of course the chamber of secrets scenes. i believe the first movie was closer to the book but part 2 was more appealing since it makes you want to know more. it draws people more into the harry potter series since it keeps you wondering about a lot of things especially those who weren't able to read the books. in fact, my friends asked me a lot of question about harry potter after watching the film. i guess that would keep the viewers from watching the next installments. overall, chamber of secrets is a film worth of your time especially if you're an avid harry potter fan. just avoid comparing it to the book so you won't be disappointed by some scenes.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Review: This is a great movie. I saw it on November 6th, 2002 and can't wait to see it again when it opens in all theaters on November 15th. The movie is not yet released in any theaters but I won a trip to London to preview it.
There are many scenes that are exciting, such as the flying car scenes and funny ones such as when Dobby is first introduced. The movie is very entertaining and the acting is even better than the first movies. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson all give great performances as Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Some scenes are not in the book but I'm not gonna ruin anything for you. The movie is great for all ages but kids under 8 might be scared from the scene when Harry goes to the Chamber of Secrets. It is also loud at some parts which might frighten some kids.
All in all it's a great family film that you will love. P.S.- Stay after the credits for there is a little scene that may give off a few laughs from you
Rating:
Summary: Chamber of Secrets is opened!
Review: I have not seen the movie yet because it is not out yet, but I do have my tickets for opening night. I have read the book a lot of times and loved it. I also have seen the trailer about a thousand times. I go to harrypotter.com to see the countdown everyday. Harry Potter is the best book series for kids and the movies are just the same. I cannot wait till this movie comes out!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Good, the bad, and the ugly!
Review: The Good: It is everything the first was-it is still great! It's still a must-see movie for any Harry Potter fan. It may not have the suspense and the gripping scenes Rowling's book has but it's still a fantastic feature! Chris Columbus once again does a wonderful job on the movie. He keeps the Harry Potter 'magic' alive. He has created something that in the near future will be a classic. The characters, the plot, the inventions, and the suspense are all wonderful! Emma Watson once again plays her role to the best of her ability. She is perfect for the role of Hermione! The movie certainly has more than it's share of charm; charming characters, the magical 'charm', and the sheer image of Rowling's peculiar inventions. The film's special effects and the acting will impress you. This sequel to 2001's 'movie of the year' is scarier, longer, more suspenseful, and more interesting than the first. But you obviously need to know the story of the first book (movie) to understand and enjoy this installment. The late Richard Harris (Dumbeldore) is first a surprise then an immeasurable relief--and fated to be the proudest legacy of the movie that is a beautifully crafted dark fable. In fact this installment is something you would enjoy even if you haven't read the books! The wacky inventions will impress you (as I mentioned before). Another thing that I was impressed by was the enigmatically stunning phoenix (a Greek mythical bird that burns into flames). This feature has tons of new things; New characters, extra school lessons, new creatures, and new inventions! Overall it's an excellent installment! The story revolves around Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who has not had a fine summer. Not only has he had to put up with his haughty Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) and Uncle Vernon Dursley (Griffith) and their fear of his magical abilities, but also it seems as if Harry's best friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) have forgotten him - as they haven't responded to a single one of his letters. Then, unexpectedly and strangely, house-elf Dobby emerges in Harry's bedroom and warns of great danger if the aspiring wizard should attempt to return to Hogwarts. Dobby than tries to prevent the wizard from attending his 2nd year at Hogwarts. Although they faced a dangerous mishap at Platform 9 and 3 quarters, the worst was yet to come. The news of the flying car (that Harry and Ron rode) had reached Snape. But basically (Later) the 3 youngsters continue their adventures this time trying to find out about the deadly 'chamber of secrets'. Watch them unravel the haunting mystery at Hogwarts! Bad: There isn't really anything 'bad' about Harry Potter. Gilderoy Lockhart however, was very annoying. Snape was as usual the mean, cruel, hateful, and despising teacher at Hogwarts. But if you think about it, that's the way Rowling has made them... so I guess there's no 'bad' in the movie! Ugly: In only a word... "snakes". Creepy, crawling, slithering, slimy, ugly reptiles! However 'snake-lovers' (like the majority of the people I went with) would enjoy the 'snake scenes'. Harry Potter is a creative work of art! Overall rating: A+
Rating: 
Summary: The spell is almost right.
Review: Last year amid the hoopla of the release of Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone, movie goers forgot what made the books wonderful and clamored for a visual representation of a book they had grew to love. What they got was a fun movie, but one that had the emotion and spirit of the book sucked away by a page-by-page direct translation to the screen. In Chamber Of Secrets it is very apparent that Chris Columbus and company have learned from their first experience and have produced a superior product. The spirit is intact this time around with Harry having a much darker and more intense adventure. In fact, it may be too intense for some kids. There are some legitimately scary areas of the film including a harrowing escape from giant spiders and a fight to the death with the monster that is petrifying the students at Hogwarts. At the other end of the wand though is a great mystery adventure that is in-line with the great Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew stories that non-readers of the series can follow. Plus it helps that the cast is so terrific. Daniel Radcliffe improves himself and expands the character of Harry Potter. Emma Watson is superb as Hermione and Rupert Grint is just hilarious as Ron Weasley. The rest of the original cast is back as well with another quirky yet humorous portrayal of Snape. But since this is a new book there are bound to be new characters including the animated Doby the house elf and some other teachers who appear in the book, but we haven't seen until now. The stand out is the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, Gilderoy Lockhart, who is played to pompous perfection by Kenneth Branagh. In fact, it is almost worth the price of the movie just to see him flitter around like the peacockish fop that he is. Just brilliant. There is a major problem with the film though: the ending. It is immensely corny and hackneyed and takes you right out of the story. It just doesn't belong. It's almost as if Columbus, having already resigned as director, just gave up and came back home to America. The events that happen are not worthy of J.K. Rowling's books or of this fun and entertaining film.
Rating: 
Summary: D-, improvement on your first year, but still room for more
Review: Let me start by saying I went to the preview this film ONLY because my 11 year old son asked me to! I HATED the first film, I found it formulaic, dull and plodding, and I went in with a certain amount of trepidation to this one. Whilst the film is an improvement on the first one, it still was an overrated piece of film. The best thing about Philosopher's Stone was Robbie Coltrane, and he was wasted in this - should have taken that job on The West Wing! Kenneth Brannagh was able to perform as himself, playing a character whose reputation far exceeds their actual talent!! As for the kids - Daniel Radcliffe is very good as Harry a vast improvement on last year, but Rupert Grint & Emma Watson were wooden, ironic in the latter's case when she was petrified! This film, like the last one, is simply and solely a kid's film and makes NO ATTEMPT to cater for the millions of adults dragged along, as such it doesn't deserve to go into anyone's books as a classic. All in all Columbus' films and Rowling's books show a great ability to take cliched ingredients from many years of children's books and then cook them into something highly unoriginal, but that kids THINK is original. Lets hope a new director for the third film employs a better film editor and makes a faster paced and less meandering film in 2004.
Rating:
Summary: Everybody's Favorite Young Wizard Returns
Review: The magic is back! Harry, Hermione, and Ron Weasley return to the screen with yet another adventure, bigger and better than ever, as they begin their second year at Hogwarts. With a veritable flick of his magic wand, director Chris Columbus offers up 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,' the second chapter in the on-going saga of everybody's favorite young wizard, who is joined this time around by a new instructor (teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts), as well as some formidable new opponents. There's also a couple of surprises along the way as Harry encounters a rather singular character in his bedroom, and another deep in the Forbidden Forest. And, yes, there IS a Quidditch match. Harry's second year at Hogwarts begins inauspiciously with a warning to stay away; someone-- or some'thing'-- doesn't want him there. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is undeterred, of course, and is soon back in Gryffindor House along with his friends and fellow students. But the warnings persist, now written in blood on the walls, and they portend an ominous fate for Harry, as well as many of the other students of witchcraft and wizardry. The messages indicate that the 'Chamber of Secrets' has been opened, and that dire consequences (for some unknown reason) are about to befall many of those in attendance at the school. And this is serious business; enough to make Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) fear that Hogwarts may have to be closed indefinitely. So it's up to Harry, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) to get to the bottom of the mystery. And they don't have much time; already one of the students has been found literally 'petrified' in the hall, and the perpetrator is still unknown and at large. Harry knows the answers can be found in the Chamber of Secrets, but the questions persist: 'What' is it, exactly, and 'where' can it be found? As if channeling the spirit and imagination of author J.K. Rowling (in whose heart Harry Potter was born), director Columbus brings this film vividly to life in a swirl of excitement and colorful characters. He sets a perfect pace that will keep even the youngest members of the audience enthralled, and his transitions are impeccable, always moving the story forward with nary a single lull or hesitation. It's a film that will grab you in the opening frames and sweep! you along to the finish. Written for the screen by Steven Kloves (adapted from the novel by Rowling), the story is compelling, the dialogue is fresh and crisp and, as expected, the special F/X are the absolute best. And Columbus uses it all to great effect, aided in no small part by the exemplary work of film editor Peter Honess, the original score by William Ross and John Williams, Roger Pratt's brilliant cinematography, and last, but certainly not least, the engaging performances turned in by his young stars and veteran performers alike. Young Daniel Radcliffe's portrayal of Harry is so complete and natural that, simply put, he IS, and will forever be, 'Harry Potter.' It's the kind of definitive performance that will always, without question, be a part of Radcliff's life, putting him in such dignified company as Sean Connery (James Bond), Leonard Nimoy (Spock) and Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes). And, for better or worse, that's not such a bad place to be. He has a gift, and if he uses it wisely, he has a long and successful career ahead of him. The characters of Hermione and Ron Weasley are definitive, as well, but not in the way that Radcliffe's Harry is, but inasmuch as it would be impossible hereafter to accept anyone else but Watson and Grint as, respectively, Hermione and Ron. Their portrayals are solid, endearing and entirely convincing; who will ever forget Hermione's adamant stare, or Ron's bemused expression of befuddlement? Though without a doubt they will always be associated with these characters, they have the kind of talent that should take them successfully beyond their 'Potter' personas. And hopefully they will make choices in the future conducive to their auspicious 'star-making' turns in these films. Kenneth Branagh gives a delightful performance as Gilderoy Lockhart, the new instructor at Hogwarts, whose self-importance has made him a legend in his own mind. He is pompous and self-serving, but in a fun kind of way that allows you to see immediately beneath the mask of his vanity and his puffed up ego; he's the Wizard of Oz revealed as the man behind the curtain. And Branagh plays him perfectly. In this chapter we're also introduced to Draco Malfoy's father, Lucius Malfoy, played with deliciously restrained malevolence by Jason Isaacs. After meeting Lucius, it's easy to see that Draco (Tom Felton) is an apple that didn't fall far from the tree. Also turning in a memorable performance is Shirley Henderson, as the empathetic, disenfranchised ghost, Moaning Myrtle, doomed to forever roam the lavatory in which she met her untimely and premature demise. With very little screen time, she manages to make a decided connection with the audience, which makes her an effective and integral part of the story. Reprising the roles they established and made their own in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' are Richard Harris (Dumbledore); Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid); Alan Rickman (Professor Severus Snape); Bonnie Wright (in an expanded role this time, as Ginny Weasley); Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley); John Cleese (Nearly Headless Nick); Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon); Fiona Shaw (Aunt Petunia); and Harry Melling (Dudley). The additional supporting cast includes Toby Jones (extremely effective as the voice of Dobby, the House Elf), Christian Coulson (Tom Marvolo Riddle), Miriam Margolyes (Professor Sprout) and Sally Mortemore (Madam Pince). Be forewarned, there's a scene in the Forbidden Forest that will absolutely make your skin crawl; but it's all a part of the fun, and by the final scene of 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,' you WILL, without a doubt, believe in magic.
Rating:
Summary: THIS WILL BE A HIT!
Review: If you have seen the first Harry Potter movie, you should be just as excited to see this one as I am!! I wasn't looking forward to seeing the movie, but one gloomy day I sat down in my living room and watched it with my mom. I LOVED IT!! I babysat that night for a family who had the movie, and I watched it 3 times with the kids that night. It was such a great movie, and I am so excited to see the next one!! I am sure it will be just as good as the last one, if not better. I LOVE HARRY POTTER!
Rating:
Summary: Good Enjoyable Movie
Review: We saw this movie today, and we immensley enjoyed it. We read the book ages ago, but still remember it, and we thought the movie was good, but we were kind of disappointed with stuff that was left out, such as Mr. Weasly and Mr. Malfoy having a fist-fight, or when Gilderoy Lockhart tells the truth about how his books were written (in the movie he lumps all the books together) or when the boys had to de-gnome the garden, etc. Don't get me wrong, the movie was great, but we wanted MORE--like 3 hours worth of movie wasn't enough, we wanted to see the whole book on film! We recommend this movie to all audiences as great entertainment!
Rating:
Summary: A awsome movie you cannot miss!
Review: I think HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS WILL BECOME THE BEST MOVIE OF THE YEAR. i READ ALL OF J.K.ROWLINGS BOOKS. I AM HOPING IT WON'T BE THE LAST MOVIE FROM THE BOOKS!
I HOPE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS GOING ABSOLUTLY NUTS ABOUT THE RELESE OF :THE CHAMMBER OF SERRETS....
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