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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: 5 stars
Summary: As good as I hoped it would be...
Review: From the opening credits with that wonderful music, to the final triumphant scenes, this movie was an absolute delight. It was as good as I expected it to be, despite the reputation Hollywood has for its sequels. After all, this is Harry Potter...

I had read Chamber of Secrets multiple times before seeing the movie, and I was not disappointed. Anyone going into these things, expecting a perfect book-to-screen adaption needs their head read. Nothing is ever going to come across exactly as we imagine.

I was particularly impressed with the performances of its three main stars, Daniel, Emma and Rupert. They have definitely improved with age and experience. Robbie Coltrane has also put across another fantastic performance as Hagrid - although his reaction to Fudge coming to take him away to Azkaban was a little bland. I would have expected a more panicked reaction, knowing just what the prison was like.

There really is nothing in this movie to be disappointed with. It was a superb job by all, and will make a wonderful addition to everyone's collection when it is released to VHS/DVD.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: I LOVE Harry Potter, but...
Review: Ok, I've read all of the books, several times. I can't deny that I adore Harry Potter. So why did I only give it three stars? Well, first of all, let's look at the good points.

Daniel Radcliffe's acting is an immense improvement from the first movie. His presence is much stronger, and he no longer seems as unemotional as he did in the first film. The second great thing about the movie was the improved Quidditch sequence, which I loved. Well, I loved the one in the first movie, so that's no surprise. Harry and Ron's second stint in the Forbidden Forest was great as well, and the spiders freaked me out. Tom Riddle's memory scene was excellent, with everything in sepia and Harry in color. Very cool. Lockhart was amusing. Seamus isn't the klutz that he was in the first movie, which was supposed to be Neville's role in the first place. Dobby was great. And of course, Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy was genius. All of these where great things.

But, even with all those good points and more, it still had a lot of things that weren't so good. The number one thing I hated about CoS was the ending - Hagrid. Ok, I love Hagrid. Really. But that ending with him coming in and everyone clapping was just not fitting AT ALL. Hagrid had nothing to do with anything! Maybe it's just me. Another thing I hated was when Lucius Malfoy almost, and very obviously, cast the Killing Curse on Harry. In a corridor. In Hogwarts. Very, very stupid. That would never happen. Number three - they took ALL of Ron's lines and gave them to Hermione. ALL of them. Ron has become the comic relief and nothing more. And Draco Malfoy. Oh boy. Ok, Draco is one of my favorite characters. But he was quite obviously trying MUCH too hard. His effort to be Harry's arch-enemy went way overboard with much too exaggerated acting. And since when did he always fall on his butt so often? Other nitpicks include the choppiness of the movie, which wasn't nearly as bad as the first movie and the pacing, which still seemed a little off. The parseltongue scene at the dueling club was cool, but something about it bugged me. When Harry was hissing at the snake, it just seemed off somehow. This is a small detail that I'm sure only irks me. The very last thing that was so bad was the horribly long duration of the movie. It was about 2 hours and 45 minutes long. Too long. I say cut some scenes (like the Hagrid end scene) and then stick them all together on the DVD.

All in all, I would have given it 3.5 stars. Yeah, maybe 3.8. The thing to keep in mind is that this is the MOVIE and not the book. Keep them separate. After all, most movies can't live up to their book counterparts, anyway (except in the case of LotR). My last thought is that I hope they do a better job in the Prisoner of Azkaban, as it's my favorite of the four.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: You still got it, Harry!
Review: This movie was fantastic! the first time i saw it, I cried laughing. second time? same thing. it's one of those movies you can see over and over and still laugh your head off. basically, harry's in his second year now, and people are being attacked by someone or something. and harry tries to figure it out. I won't give away the ending. also, harry has to deal with ron's little sister, a stuck-up teacher, and a freaky looking elf. one phrase: NOT--TO--BE--MISSED! trust me, if you see it, you probably won't regret it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: incredible
Review: This was one of the most incredible movies I've ever seen.The acors and actresses were great, and the special effects were extremely realistic. Overall, the movie was brilliant!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, for a movie adapted from a novel, and for a sequel, hits the charts high! The dramatic, suspenseful motion picture takes you into the magical wizarding world as you battle evil and aid the good in one of the main characters' shoes! Although the movie is of a stunning length, the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat as violence, suspense, and drama fill the big screen. The sound and plot are amazingly done, thanks to famous director Chris Columbus and the sound crew and orchestras! You won't believe your eyes the movie's so great, whether you see it in a theater on the big screen, or on DVD or VHS at home with a big bowl of popcorn!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Harry's Second Year Gets Darker, and More Exciting
Review: The first sequel to "Harry Potter" is absolutely fantastic, far better than the original one. Or, I should say, despite some uneven pace and tone of the film, it is much more three-dimentional and complex, giving us what we want: theills of fantasy.

Harry Potter is in the second year at Hogwarts, and now is ready to go back to the school, inspite of the advice given by strange creature called Dobby, who shows up before him to warn that very bad things would happen if Harry goes back. But Harry ignores his warnings anyway, and starts his new year at the school, only to find weird occasions that remind him of Dobby's words. And finally, he is to know that "The Chamber of Secrets," about which no one (including the teachers) knows -- its existence, its location, and its terrifying secrets -- is opened by someone inside of the place, and students start to fall victims to it.

Can Harry stop the danger, and regain the peace for the school? The premise seems similar to that of the original film, but the overall tone of the film gets darker and more sinister. It is possible that some of the pre-teen kids might find the film too scary at some time (especially they don't like slugs, spiders and snakes), and perhaps adults find it the same way. Don't underestimate the film's dark elements any more.

But the most remarkable thing about "Chamber of Secrets" is its hugely improved CGIs, reflecting the filmmaker's confidence coming from the commercial success of the previous one. The match of Quiddich is again used as one of the highlights, and the newer game scene is simply great, much better than the first one. With enhanced sound effects, the fight between Harry and Malfoy looks more realistic, even frightening, flying all over the ground and stands (and unbelievably, under them).

The only weak point is its new character Dobby, created all by CGIs, which still looks unnatural sometimes. Moreover, in the opening sequence, the film attempts to get laughs using Dobby not so effectively, making him a bit irritating creature like Jar-Jar Binks or Scooby-Doo. But wait a while, and see Ron's family is introduced, including ever delightful Julie Walters ("Billy Elliot") as Ron's mother.

Another new character is given by Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart, a new teacher (and a celebrity) at Hogwarts. Obviuosly he is a comic relief, and Branagh is surprisingly good, this time not resorting to his overacting tendency that destroyed Woody Allen's "Celebrity." And don't miss the brief scene after the end credit roll.

Daniel Radcliffe is as good as before, and so is Rupert Grint (in fact, they are giving the best acting in the film), but most regrettable is Emma Watson's Hermione, who is given much shorter time on the screen. All the actors are good, but their presence seems to be rather sacrificed to establish darker images of the school. So, John Cleese is allowed to speak very briefly only twice, and even Maggie Smith and Allen Rickman are not allotted enough time to impress us. You brink your eye, and you will miss Fiona Shaw!

Probably their roles would be enlarged next time; let's hope so. It is, however, undeniable that the film went through great improvement, and it explores much darker side of magic, which gives more thrills to adults and children alike. But how will they keep this pace in the future? Is it possible to combine evil elements with the concept of family picture? That is my only concern, and the second sequel would show the answer.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I liked it better than the first one.
Review: I liked "Chamber of Secrets" better than "Sorcerer's Stone". This second movie is funny without taking away the darkness of the story. This one is darker compared to the first one. I like that this one includes Hermione's parents. In this film there are bigger roles for Ginny and Mrs. Weasley. Shirley Henderson does a good job with her portrayal of Moaning Myrtle. The boys are getting older. Daniel (Harry) Radcliffe's voice and Rupert (Ron) Grint's voice have both changed, and maybe Tom (Draco Malfoy) Felton's voice, too. This film shows how brave Harry is, something I liked when I saw the movie. Daniel Radcliffe is a handsome young man, I might add. This movie (and the book, too, of course), can also really teach about being prejudiced against others and how name-calling can be hurtful. And the music is good. Jason Isaacs portrays Malfoy's father well. So does Kenneth Branagh as Lockhart. It's too bad that Chris Columbus won't be directing the next one, but it's good that he's concerned about spending time with his family, which I think is why he isn't going to direct the next one, though I think he'll be producer for the next one, so he's not gone completely. And Alfonso Cuaron, who's going to direct "Prisoner of Azkaban", directed the 1995 film version of "A Little Princess", which is one of my favorites. It's also too bad that Richard Harris won't be playing Dumbledore in the next one. I myself liked "Chamber of Secrets". I hope Daniel Radcliffe will return as Harry for the movie version of "Goblet of Fire", slated for release in 2005. And in the meantime, I hope book number five will come to the bookstores soon.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: man ross was gettin on yo , dude
Review: This is one of the worst movies also. I suggest this ONLY for little kids. Once again the supposed "jokes" are not funny and the whole wizard-adventure thing is pretty lame. Some older people like this who like watching kid type of movies, but you DO NOT want to see this, Unless you are under 12 years old.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: movie that makes me wonder how anyone doesnt like harry!
Review: This movie was so great- no words can explain it. It has a balance of comedy, mystery, and horror that makes the movie very catching. ITs tons better than Lord of the Rings, and it make me wondewr how anyone couldn't like Harry Potter! I cant wait til movie 3, because it will be different because of the great new director (not that columbus was bad). Everyone preorder this movie NOW!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fab Follow Up!
Review: I enjoyed the first movie very much and now I am delighted with the second movie aswell.

The acting is better in this film, and it seems a fair bit more action packed. I cant decide which movie I like more, the first or second? They both go together perfectly as a duo and it is geniusness in film making.

Anyone is recommended to this brilliance.


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