Not a sequel -- but a continuation.

Rating: 9/10 (26 November 2002)

Just as exciting as the first film this episode adds more humour and darkness to the story.
With most of the same actors as the first film this latest edition of the `Harry Potter' franchise is just as visually exciting -- if not more so.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint reprise their roles as the talented young magicians enrolled at the Hogwart School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman and David Bradley return as the professors and staff at the school and are just as good as they were in the first -- though more of the focus of this episode is on the characters of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.
Kenneth Branaugh is a delightful addition to the cast as the egotistical and very inept Gilderoy Lockhart.
The overall look and visual appeal is different -- though just as brilliantly executed as the first film.
Once again the genius of John Williams provides the superb score that underlies the action and mood of the film.
It was nice to see the film open with the very unsympathetic characters of Harry's Uncle, Aunt and cousin -- they added a strong link to the first film that would have been sorely missed were it not there.
Christopher Columbus would seem to be a marvelous director of children's films -- apparently he understands the awe and amazement that a child would have if they were in situations similar to the ones that our heroes are in.
This installment of the franchise is much darker and a great deal scarier than the first -- just as the book was. I am not sure if it is suitable for all children; but if your children are mature enough to realize that this is just a film and they will not wake up screaming with visions of giant spiders and snakes -- then it will be appropriate for them.