If you liked Sorcerer's Stone, you'll like this

Rating: Null/10 (19 November 2002)

Yes, the effects and the direction are better, but Chamber of Secrets is not in a different league from the first movie Â– it's a pleasant diversion. The best addition to this film is Jason Isaacs as the odious Lucius Malfoy, who out-Rickmans Rickman as an aristocratic villain. He's a formidable presence, with ice-blue eyes matched by ice-blond shoulder-length hair, a man who can ooze disdain, virility and polish with equal aplomp. For the rest: Brannagh is right on the money as Lockhart. Harris, Smith, Rickman and Coltrane are back in good form here, though we see less of latter three, and it's sad to notice how much weaker Richard Harris is. It's fun to watch the young actors growing up -- if Emma Watson continues to grow prettier with each picture, look out! I don't know if Daniel Radcliffe has grown on me, or if he's actually better in this movie. Like others, I found him unexpressive & limited in the earlier picture, which I thought Rupert Grint walked away with. Ron seems a bit goofier this time around, & we sadly see less of Hermione. Overall, Chamber of Secrets isn't more than an entertaining installment, and as that it satisfies.