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Rating: Null/10 (22 June 2003)

This one was pretty much a flop for me. While it wasn't all bad, and I've certainly seen worse movies... it just didn't hold the same appeal as Sorcerer's Stone. The magic was gone and in it's place just a few whiny sidekick kids and Harry. And, slight spoiler... the "Chamber of Secrets" is very poorly named indeed.
Many things disappoint me about this film. The first of which is the utter lack of magic in a school of magic. Flying cars, check. Ghosts, check. Bunch of other ridiculous things having nearly nothing to do with magic, check. But actual spells and wizardry? Very little. The only one of this whole gang of wizards that seems to be able to cast a spell is Hermione, and she sits a lot of this movie out. Apparently Harry and Ron should both be held back a few grades.
Another HUGE disappointment for me, and it nearly ruins the movie, is the constant overuse of the school system. Oh, gee... our three heros are in trouble again because they happen to be in the wrong place. Oh no, better not tell them what's really going on... better break another few dozen rules instead. What's that? You think we did it? Oh no... we might be, gulp, expelled for the 25th time. Give me a break. It's used and reused and used yet again to the point of utter insanity.
The acting is good, nothing mind blowing but good. Harry stands well in most scenes, but Ron is often overacted. Though, from the looks of things, I'm willing to bet he was told to overact. "Harry, you look brave. Ron, you look cowardly and whiny. - Action!" Worse is the character Dobby, who I couldn't hate any more than I already do. The best new character is probably the girl ghost Moaning Myrtle. Both her CGI effects and acting were really good, sadly they look like they got stuck in the wrong movie and belonged in something much better.

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