CHRIS COLUMBUS
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBB.5.
USA/United Kingdom/Germany, 2002. Warner Bros., Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures, MIRACLE Productions GmbH & Co. KG. Screenplay by Steve Kloves, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Cinematography by Roger Pratt. Produced by David Heyman. Music by John Williams. Production Design by Stuart Craig. Costume Design by Lindy Hemming. Film Editing by Peter Honess. Online Film Critics Awards 2002. Phoenix Film Critics Awards 2002.
It’s Year Two for your favourite little wizard, and the new term isn’t bring anything but trouble. Initially warned against returning to the Hogwarts school of magic by a precocious little elf-servant, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) eventually makes it to the magical campus only to discover that he and his fellow students are all in grave danger. Something called the “Chamber of Secrets” has been opened, and students left and right are being paralyzed by whatever has been unleashed from its cryptic compartments. Naturally, our hero and his two best friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) team up to unravel the mystery and save the day. Supporting cast members Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane and Richard Harris (in his final film role) return in this superior sequel, plus there are some very welcome additions including Kenneth Branagh as celebrated wizard Gilderoy Lockhart, Miriam Margolyes as Professor Sprout and Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle. The special effects are as awe-inspiring as before, and though it runs a considerable near three hours, the delightful situations will keep your attention and the time will fly by quicker than the flick of a wand.
