reviewed by: Charity Bishop

             

After a horrible summer at the home of his abusive Muggle relations, Harry Potter and his owl Hedwig are eager to return to Hogwarts to continue their tutelage in the magic arts. But thanks to a troublesome house-elf named Dobby, whose illegal use of magic is blamed on the junior wizard, Harry finds himself a virtual prisoner in his room. It's only after his best friend Ron, accompanied by his older twin brothers, come to rescue him in their father's flying car that the summer really takes off with a bang. The Weasley's home is unlike anything Harry has ever experienced... where dishes wash themselves, and the clock hands display which family members are in what rooms of the house.  He spends several delightful days at the Barrow. But Harry's second year of schooling starts off on the wrong foot when mysteriously he and Ron are prevented from making the school train. 

Their late arrival, heralded in the illegal flying car, has placed them both in detention. Professor Snape wants them expelled. And what's more, there's a new Professor to deal with... Gilroy Lockhart, whose befuddled attempts at teaching more often than not end up in disaster: uncontrollable pixies, and wizards' duels. Yet all the girls in school -- including their best friend Hermione -- adore and admire him. But even Lockhart may be forced to take a backseat when something evil is unleashed at Hogwarts. Legend has it that concealed with the school is a secret chamber where dwells a monster. Students are terrified when a sinister turn of events reveals the possibility that the legends are true... and many become convinced that Harry is at the bottom of it. The teachers are concerned that Hogwarts may be forced to close its doors unless the chamber is found. Whatever is stalking the students keeps a low profile, and thus far they have only been stunned by its red glare.

But it's only a matter of time before the creature will strike again... can Harry, Ron, and Hermione find out who's killing Muggle-borns, and why, before it's too late? Few book-to-film adaptations retain the original gusto of the novel, but this is one of the rare exceptions that proves it can be done. The Chamber of Secrets manages to hit all the high points that made the novel a bestseller. Die-hard fans will delight in the fact that their favorite book passages are almost all accounted for, from the Polyjuice Potion to the famous Wizard's Duel (a personal favorite scene of mine) and the Rogue Bludger that takes after Harry in a game of Quidditch. The storyline is fairly easy to follow, and the visual dynamics much improved over The Sorcerer's Stone. It's an excellent adaptation and an exciting adventure that pits good against evil in a powerful showdown.

All of our favorite characters are back again for a second term at Hogwarts. Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton have beautifully conformed to their roles as Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. It's fantastic to see how these kids have grown, both physically and talent-wise. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are both memorable as Ron and Hermione. Grint in particular has some of the best lines in the film. Some of the best delights, however, come from the adult cast. Alan Rickman, while seriously underused, is deliciously sinister as the infamous Professor Snape, Kenneth Branagh makes a believable and over-the-top Professor Lockhart, and Jason Isaacs is ideal for the villainous Lucius Malfoy. There's also a delightfully creepy house-elf named Dobby, a few befuddled owls, and a tree with a bad temper. Those who visit Hogwarts will never forget their experience -- for the first time, we get to see the exterior in daylight, with unique cinematography that carries us through windows and doorways into the great common room.

While the acting is stellar, the musical score beautifully captivating, and the new characters enthralling, parents should be dissuaded from taking younger children to the theater. While the PG rating is strictly observed in violent content, thematic elements and frightening scenes make up the last half of the film. Giant spiders, angry willow trees, and a particularly climactic battle with a giant snake will terrify any child under the age of twelve. We hear sinister whispered threats in the walls ("... let me rip you... tear you... kill you!"), and the final battle is intense. Harry is stabbed almost fatally, and a minor character goes through a gruesome transformation as red ink pours out of a book. The magic content still remains an issue for many families. Harry and his friends are wizards who attend a school versed in the magic arts. The film portrays, as the books do, the difference between reality and fantasy, but younger children may not understand the difference between real-life (and dangerous) witchcraft and the tongue-in-cheek magic on screen.

For older viewers, like the book it's based on, the film can provide a rich tapestry for discussion. Prejudice becomes a main hinge for the plot. Those who bear prejudice against one another are played to be villainous. Name-calling is discouraged, as is self pity and selfishness. A character is proved to be a fake and a fraud, and one of his schemes blows up [literally] in his face. A student learns the dangers of placing her trust in someone or something she isn't certain of. Best of all, wise old Headmaster Dumbledore reminds Harry that "it is our choices which determine who we are, not our abilities." If you have qualms about Harry Potter in general, don't go see it. But if you have a Potter fan in the household, you'll enjoy the movie for its faithfulness to the book. The Chamber of Secrets has indeed been opened... and for older viewers, contains some powerful messages.