Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

release year: 2002
genre: fantasy
viewing setting: home Bluray 10/1/23 and home DVD 7/17/09 and 1/8/04

synopsis: Harry Potter, his friends, and his enemies are back for new adventures involving a hidden part of the school that holds a terrible monster.

impressions: Just as good as the first one, and again a close adaptation of the book. In 2004, I wrote this: "It will be a small miracle if all seven of these books (the 6th and 7th aren't even written yet!) get made into good films like this one." Well, that's true, and I suggest watching all of these, one after the other, as they mesh together quite neatly. As before, I don't favor the idea that the bad seeds in this wizard-school are allowed to remain...you'd think the teachers would know better.

things to watch for: near the end when Harry finally encounters the monster

something this movie has that no other movie has: a phoenix

acting: As before, too many good performances to list here. Notable new addition: Kenneth Branaugh as an egomaniacal but fairly useless new teacher. Also of casting note: Richard Harris passed away after this one and did not appear in the third movie onward.

final word: Well worth watching and owning.

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