Even David Copperfield would be jealous of the kind of movie
magic made in the newly released
”
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,
”
currently playing at Premiere Cinemas.
Even David Copperfield would be jealous of the kind of movie magic made in the newly released “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” currently playing at Premiere Cinemas.
This second installment of the young wizard-in-training is almost as magical as the first.
Be warned, however: The two-hour and 41-minute release from Warner Brothers is not as cutesy and child-like as the first film.
In this chapter of Harry’s life, things take a much darker and sometimes more-frightening twist. Unlike the first movie, in which the students exacted their revenge with essentially harmless pranks, in this version there is a malevolent force lurking in the school that is actually talking about killing students with muggels (non-magic users) for parents.
Although this darker turn in Harry’s life is not nearly as scary as a Hitchcock or Stephen King thriller, some of it may be too scary for very young children, which is probably how this version earned a PG rating. However, the themes should be fine for anyone over 9 or 10 years old.
The strength of the film still rests on the central themes of friendship, loyalty and family.
Director Chris Columbus does a wonderful job of capturing this wonderful land of magic, amazement and exploration with imaginative sets and plenty of computer-generated graphics and special effects that give viewers a sense of really being at Hogwart’s School.
The return of young actors Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as his friends Ron and Hermione helps fans jump right into the story, almost as though they never left off a year ago.
This time the troublsome trio find themselves in an adventure that could determine the future of Hogwart’s.
The story begins when a house-elf named Dobby pleads with Harry not to return to Hogwart’s if he values his life. Once back at the school, Harry and his friends have to contend with petrified fellow students and ominous writings on the walls threatening their lives.
Amid all this is a nice addition to the cast of characters, celebrity author Gilderoy Lockhart, Hogwart’s new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. The role is played wonderfully by Kenneth Branaugh, who does some of his best work in years, bringing to life the part of a self-absorbed faker.
The worst part of the movie is watching Richard Harris’ performance as Professor Dumbledore and knowing it was his swan song. Harris, an award-winning actor who starred in films such as “Mutiny on the Bounty,” “Camelot” and “Gladiator,” died just three weeks before this movie opened on Oct. 25.
Once considered a formidable rugby player, Harris was experiencing a rebirth in his career shortly before his death.
