Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

UK Release Date. 15 November 2002
Certification. PG
Running Time. 2 hours 41 mins
Director. Chris Columbus
Cast. Kenneth Branagh, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Rupert Grint, Richard Harris, Shirley Henderson, Jason Isaacs, Toby Jones, Daniel Radcliffe, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Emma Watson.
Rating. 64%

Review.

Stylistically, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets has a lot in common with its predecessor, but the second film lacks the introductory awe and wonderment of Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone.

Chris Columbus maintains a consistent tone and further defines the world he re-imagined so beautifully in the first film. But once again J.K. Rowling's original source material appears sacrosanct. Slavishly dedicated to the book, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets has the longest run time of any of the films in the franchise - 2 hours and 41 minutes.

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets is much more plot driven than Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone and we are introduced to an array of wonderful new characters - Professor Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh), Moaning Myrtle (Shirley Henderson), Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs) and the house elf, Dobby (voiced by Toby Jones). Columbus excels in the realisation of Dobby, straddling a precarious line between mischievous and irritating to create a visually impressive and ultimately adorable CGI character. 

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets is perhaps the final film that relies upon the childlike innocence and sense of wonder of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. In subsequent films, the plot becomes darker and more menacing. And whilst any visit to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry is a magical experience, this visit is framed by an intriguing mystery, one that involves the audience trying to figure out the individual responsible for opening the Chamber of Secrets and the dangers imprisoned within.