HARRY POTTER characters, names, and related indicia are trademarks of and (c) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights (c) J.K.R. (c) 2007 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.Impressive Followup To Part 1 I'm not sure this movie really deserves 5 stars. But seeing that it follows the 1st phenomena ("The Sorcerer's Stone") as well as could be expected, I'll be generous. It is now a few months after the end of Part 1, and Harry is spending his last few summer days with the Dursleys before he leaves for school. The Dursleys have not really changed since part 1. They are still abusive to him. Harry is wondering why he has not heard from his friends at school over the summer. To make a long story short, Harry gets an unexpected guest (Dobby) who accidentally reveals that he doesn't want Harry to return to school, because it could be dangerous. Naturally, Harry gets angry and in their conflict, Harry ends up making the Dursleys angry. Harry and Ron are unable to get through 'Platform 9 3/4' which makes them realize something is up. But in an under the table way, they make it to school, but end up making the cold but virtuous Professor Snape angry. (His anger is understandable to some extent.) Moving on, Harry meets Ron's sister Ginny who takes a liking to Harry. We also meet Kenneth Brannagh's character. (A writer who seems friendly enough, and is skilled in the study of Defense Against the Dark Arts.) He seems friendly enough, but we see that he is not exactly an expert. In a memorable conflict, Professor Snape knocks him out. That is not to say that Brannagh doesn't mean well at times. At times, it really seems he wants to help. (such as when Harry breaks his arm) But he doesn't really know what he is doing. (Rather than fixing Harry's arm, he makes the broken bones go away.) The major suspense in this movie has to do with the Chamber of Secrets. Throughout the film, certain parties become paralyzed (including Hermonie), and we see mysterious and creepy writing on the walls. Harry eventually gets hold of the diary of Tom Riddle, and learns that the kind hearted Hagrad has a questionable past. (Perhaps he housed a killer monster.) To make matters worse, Hagrad is arrested and Dumbledore is suspended. Harry and Ron go to Hagrad's old monster friend for information. But while he tells them some useful information, we see that his gratefulness to Hagrad (for saving his life) does not extend to Hagrad's friends. Tesions rise when Ron's sister Ginny disappears. This leads to a climactic showdown between Harry and a dark wizard we know quite well. To be sure, this movie deletes some things from the book. (Ginny's Funny Valentine's Day Card to Harry, Nearly Headless Nicholas's celebration of his death party, and some others.) But the only thing I really missed was when Dumbledore gets suspended, Malfoy expresses his hopes that Professor Snape will be made headmaster, to which the slightly flattered, but still virtuous Professor Snape insists that Dumbledore will be back. If you liked Part 1, don't miss this great sequel.
