The Strongest Of The Harry Potter Films Thus Far

Rating: 8/10 (31 May 2006)

"Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" is a phenomenally well-made film. Although it has taken me a while to start appreciating the Harry Potter films, I can safely say that this one is the strongest of the four so far, with great action, visual effects, acting, story, and tone.
The film begins with Harry Potter receiving a visit from a strange house-elf named Dobby, who warns Harry not to go back to school next year, for there is a terrible danger awaiting him there. When Harry gets to Hogwarts School For Witchcraft and Wizardry (after some perilous yet humorous encounters), strange things start to happen. There's a crying ghost named Moaning Myrtle in the girls' bathroom, the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher is an egotistic madman, and a mysterious part of the school known only as the "Chamber of Secrets" has been opened. Soon, no one in the school is safe, and the danger comes to the point where Hogwarts could even be closed. But not if Harry can do anything....
The film is well-acted as well as swiftly-paced, despite the fact that the movie is quite lengthy. Lots of characters and actors from the previous film return for this installment. Overall, this film is very good and is certainly not one to be missed, wizard or not.
Rating-***1/2