Harry Potter
and the
Chamber of Secrets
movie reviews
Read these reviews by fans or send in your own to hpmaniacs@yahoo.com.
Read a review by: Melinda, X-Cess of Evil, Qesse, Meow, Sika, Hadfi (coming soon)
After being disappointed by the first movie, I didn't expect the second movie to be better or to actually follow the book any more. Especially after I read that Columbus was accused of being too "slavishly faithful" and would allow himself "freer rein" this time. Actually, I was quite surprised when the movie followed quite closely to the book in dialog. Of course, they had to change some parts that would have been fine without it to add action although there is action enough in the book, like Aunt Petunia's cake, Uncle Vernon falling out the window, and a hyper Dobby bouncing on Harry's bed (Dobby would never bounce -- he is honored enough to be asked to sit, but as to be as rude as to jump on a stranger's bed!). And, pity, when the Weasleys arrived in the car, Harry was waiting! Not asleep, dreaming. It doesn't matter that much, but I liked that dream with the zoo! Overall, the movie versions always drain the humor out and instead, replace it by making Ron a cowardly idiot.
Now as for what happened with the car, I was disgusted. First of all, in the book, though as careful as they can possibly be, the car is spotted by several people. The way the movie Harry and Ron drive, they should be lucky if 200 people didn't see them! They would never drive into the air, visible, and expect no one to notice! Even when they played Quidditch at Ron's house, they cannot use real balls lest they fly away and are spotted by Muggles, or fly too high on their brooms. Instead, Ron and Harry were supposed to fly in the clouds, only going down to check on the train from above. Hardly driving on the tracks and having a near collision with it! And then when Harry almost falls out, well... A bit overdone, might I say?
The Whomping Willow part was a bit odd, as the tree looked nothing like a willow. But I was glad to notice they didn't change the part where the car throws them out, along with their luggage. However, Ron's wand breaking was made trivial, despite that in the magical world a wand is very important! And I love the part in the book in which Harry and Ron are discussing why Snape isn't in the Great Hall and he appears behind them saying, "Or maybe he's wondering why you two didn't arrive on the train." Instead, it's Filch who finds them in the movie.
I have mentioned adding too much action before, but as for the Quidditch match, now that was way overdone. Besides the fact that they'd have gotten a million penalties for playing the way they did (see pp. 29-30 of Quidditch Through the Ages), it looked like they were playing to kill themselves and each other. Flying underneath the stadium was a bit much -- and as for that Bludger, where were the Weasley twins to beat it away?
My parents, who only read a little or none at all of the book, were confused at some parts, where it wasn't explained well. And I was surprised that at the end of the film, when in all of the books they explain everything and solve the mystery, there was no explanation whatsoever. And except for a glimpse of the page from Hermione's hand, they never mentioned the roosters.
My final complaint is this: they add too much romance where none exists! Now what is the scene when Hermione returns from being Petrified supposed to mean? Hermione runs into Harry's arms and they hug, grinning happily, but then she looks awkwardly at Ron and shakes his hand. !!!! There is no romance or hint of it between Harry and Hermione! But they added that in the first film, too! Instead, if they have read the Goblet of Fire (hopefully, they have), there are hints of romance between Ron and Hermione! And J.K. Rowling has confirmed this, saying, "Yes, but Ron doesn't know yet. Typical boy." And what's with all the hand touching? First Harry touches the hand in the Knockturn Alley shop. (In the magical world, he'd probably never get his hand free or end up cursed for life.) Then he touches Justin's Petrified hand, and then Hermione's!
Tsk. With all my complaints, this one was better than the first. Despite some awkward acting, unnecessary scenes, and cutting of some necessary ones, I will still go see the next movie (the new director will have some sense, hopefully).
Note: Columbus keeps saying, "Some of the scenes from the book we just can't have because of time." Then why do they add scenes that never existed? In my opinion, they would be able to have more scenes from the book if they actually followed the book, without having all that extra stuff.
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The CG was quite fascinating, with the exception of the err...basilisk thing, which grossed me out ...the actors all improved in their skills, and did not seem so pretentious and unnatural as the first movie.
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ahh... I saw the 2nd hp movie! I can't believe I almost missed it! it was very good!!!!!!!!!!! Draco and Lucius are both soooooo cool!!!! the movie is definitely better than the book if you already read the book beforehand. For example, in the book, Lockhart just seems sooooooo exaggerated and seems it is impossible for a human to sink to his level. In the movie, it's a lot more realistic, and Lockhart is sooooooo cool!!!! (in a stupid way, of course) Ron's actor is verily good!!!!! Luv da spiders, but the basilisk... err... it looks too sea-serpenty. also too small. ALSO, when Harry stabbed the snake, it couldn't die that fast! the sword was too thin to make such a potent hit, unless it was blessed, enchanted, or charmed. The Weasley's house is too crowded and old-fashioned, with muggle scrubbers and kleenex. The scorekeeping in Quiddich was wtf. heh. Dobby is cool, but bit too sunken and mummified. Harry.... Harry this Harry that.... why does Harry always have to be the big hero? why did he have to make a fool of himself at the end but applauded by all da students? why can't it be someone like Ron? By the way, Ron's father looks like a Santa's-elf.
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This thrilling picture is even darker than its already nationally known prequel. As our friend Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) reaches 12, he is preparing to attend Hogwarts for his second year. Yet a mysterious creature warns him of danger, telling him not to go to Hogwarts.
And yet Harry goes anyway, with the help of his friend, Ron. (Rupert Grint) But the creature was right, because that year is a year of terror for the students, as many of them are petrified. Only Harry, Ron, and their brainy friend Hermione (Emma Watson) have the courage, knowledge, and trust to overcome all, from old rivalries, to the dark forces the legendary Chamber of Secrets holds.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a thrilling film, with the very extremes of good and evil. This is the film to see if you are even a small fan of magic. This film gives you it in full blast. I can't wait to see Harry again! ^_~
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The movie was pretty good. It followed the book pretty well, but it left out a lot of good scenes, and they forgot Peeves again. I thought the movie was overall pretty good though, and the actors, special effects, and Quidditch scenes were all excellent!
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