Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

4 Stars

Rating

(for scary moments, some creature violence and mild language)

Director

Chris Columbus

A magical ride

Starring

School's in again at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and someone doesn't want Harry Potter in attendance. He's forewarned and, of course, forearmed with magic wand, a flying car and the ability to speak the language of snakes. It's been a lonely summer for Harry, away from the school he regards as his real home. He's anxious to see his friends again, when Dobby, a house elf, pays him a visit, pleading with Harry not to return to Hogwarts.

Ron Weasley rides to Harry's rescue in a mercurial-flying car, after Dobby wreaks havoc on the Dursley household and Uncle Vernon welds bars on Harry's window. Last year's "Sorcerer's Stone" introduced us, as well as Harry, to his magical world and fascinating friends. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" goes straight to the adventure.

After an unauthorized flight, in his family's enchanted car, Ron and Harry land at Hogwarts - right into the branches of the hundred year old Whomping Willow; which gives the car a great walloping. Hogwarts is in danger of having to close. Someone has found and opened the "Chamber of Secrets," hidden deep within the labyrinth of tunnels and changing staircases at the school. Its secrets bring petrifying consequences to those who seek the chamber.

Harry, Ron and Hermione are challenged at every turn as they search for the chamber. Harry's hearing voices. Is it the Basilisk, a giant snake? Ron's greatest fears are confronted in Spiders Hollow, when he and Harry come into the lair of Aragog, an ancient spider, 18 feet across and weighing three quarters of a ton. And Hermione faces the challenge of being different. For as brilliant as she is, able to cast spells and concoct potions with the best of them, she is harassed for coming from a family of muggles - humans. The provocateurs are the Malfoys, of course, Draco and his malevolent father, Lucius.

All the familiar and wonderful characters return here: Richard Harris (in his final role) as Albus Dumbledore, Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape are joined by Kenneth Branagh, as the narcissistic Gilderoy Lockhart. The true character development, however, belongs with the young actors. They are each more mature, in character and screen presence. This works well, as "The Chamber of Secrets" has a deeper, darker feel, than in the original film. Indeed, the sets and lighting create a denser, more intense environment.

Pam's fascination and love of the Harry Potter films, is that a world is created, which is quite believable and plausible (as wizardry and magic go) and it is maintained throughout the production. It all fits. We can keep track of the magic and simply enjoy it. Unfortunately, some very successful films, aimed squarely at adult audiences, cannot claim to be able to carry that common thread.

Fawkes the Phoenix, which belongs to Dumbledore, rises from the ashes to remind us all that we can recreate ourselves in this world. And Dumbledore's wise words advise us that "our choices determine our destiny."