Grade:  B+

Director:  Chris Columbus		Released:  November 2002
Writer:  Steven Kloves, from J.K. Rowling's book		MPAA Rating:  PG
Players:  Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Kenneth Branagh		Running time:  161 minutes

Ratings System

What makes this one better than the first is the way the fantastical world of Harry Potter is taken for granted now by the filmmakers.  There are few shots in the film meant to astound the audience with what a magical world it is, instead the magic is woven seamlessly into the story.

One aspect that makes the books so compelling is the idea that Harry was just Harry ... nobody special, until one day he found out he was a wizard.  It fills the reader with a sense of "that could be me!"  Translated into a movie it comes out a little differently.  Harry gets a lot of help from his friends, a little luck, and shows a lot of courage and heart.  In that respect Harry isn't the sole hero of these films.  Viewers can choose their favorite character to identify with and root for.

Many consider Chamber of Secrets the weakest book in the series so far.  I agree with that sentiment, however it works much better as a film.  Much better than I expected.  It's darker and scarier than the first, but not so scary that younger Potter fans will have nightmares.  And even though it is close to 3 hours long, there is nary a segment that drags.  A very rare movie that is better than the book it's based on, and a sequel better than the original.

- crocoPuffs