Harry Potter and his investigative wizards

Rating: 8/10 (26 November 2002)

First of all I want to start by saying that I (as a non Rowling reader), do not understand all the commotion about Daniel Radcliffe's (Harry Potter) growing up, which is accompanied with looking older and a breaking voice. What the heck wrong with that? All the other wizards in the film seem to grow older just as ordinary people, so why shouldn't Harry? I for one, don't care if he grows older, because every Harry Potter installment (as far as I know), starts one year later than it's predecessor and I think it is only natural then for Harry (and of course Daniel Radcliffe) to grow up and become more mature. I mean, if it already bothers some people now, I wonder what they'll say in 2004 when The Prisoner of Azkaban will be made! Anyway, I do not mind and that is what counts while I am watching the film.

Right from the start I felt very at ease with this film, because even for me (a non reader) the film contained a number of people, things and animals that I recalled from The Sorcerer's Stone, for instance the mail owls or Harry's very annoying and rude family'. This feeling of familiarity increased, reaching it's climax when Harry returned to Hogwarts and was reunited with his friends. Because everything seemed so familiar, it was almost as if I myself was returning to Hogwarts.
The story of the film is quite good, as was the first story, though there were some scenes that were predictable, like the one in which the ceiling of the cave comes down. Also there were some scenes in which I was just a bit ahead of the main characters considering the necessary steps to solve the mystery. Amazingly I did not find my knowledge of things to come annoying, for I realized it was done that way for a reason. Despite those few scenes and events that were predictable, there were also a number of good scenes that truly amazed and astonished me. The unpredictability along with the complex story, which will keep you guessing until the final revelation, shows how inventive Mrs. Rowling's writing is and it once again proves Harry Potter books are not for children only, for even I (21 years old) was not able to see through the story. It was that well constructed! While I'm on the story anyway, I want to say that, although it is obvious that there is a Harry Potter formula (each story covers about a year at Hogwarts; the stories (at least the first two) involve mysteries, which Harry, Ron and Hermione have to solve in a detective sort of way), the first two films have been made in an extremely original way. One thing that I found really strange' about this film, was how I actually came to like Ron Weasley more than Harry Potter. There was much more attention to Ron as a character than there was in The Sorcerer's Stone and Rupert Grint managed to be very funny and likeable as Ron this time. Despite the fact that my increased liking for Ron is strange strange', because Harry Potter is the main character, I think it was a pretty good idea to give Ron more attention. I mean, in order to enjoy all Harry Potter films, one has to be able to identify with all main characters (the three good ones I mean). I therefore think it would be wise, if in an upcoming installment, there would be some extra attention payed to Hermione. Actually I do not need to tell that to Mrs.Rowling, the film-makers or anyone for that matter, because I know (and I think you do too) there will be a more special' relationship between Hermione and Harry, in which course she will get more attention.

Commenting on this film, I cannot refrain from comparing it with The Sorcerer's Stone and the things that were better or worse, although there are actually but one items in each category. The thing I liked less in this film, was that it was not as emotional and epic' as the first film, dealing with the legend of Harry Potter and the way in which it came to life. The special effects though, were better in this film. The production company had made so much profit with The Sorcerer's Stone that they could afford to put a bit more money into this film and I must say that it really showed.

In the end I would like to say that I am very sorry to have heard that Richard Harris (Albus Dumbledore) has passed away. He was a good actor and he certainly did his job in well in the first two Harry Potter installments. I know that the people of the production company are now seeking a new Dumbledore and I hope for them and us (the viewers) that they find a replacement that is as adequate as Richard Harris himself. Furthermore I would like to ask the production company and all involved in the making of the Harry Potter films, to refrain from making new ones, if Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson or Rupert Grint should decide to stop after three installments. Personally I think, that after making three Potter films you either have the stigma of being Harry, Ron or Hermione or you will never get it. So I see no reason for Daniel, Rupert or Emma to stop, but they just might think otherwise. If they do, I urge the producers, not to replace them, but to stop making Harry Potter films, for replacing the key actors wouldn't be fair to the millions of children who love Harry (not to mention the adults).

8 out of 10