Much Better Than The First Film. It's A Very Enjoyable Movie.

Rating: Null/10 (23 November 2002)

I liked the original "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". It was a fun movie, full of special effects, some good action scenes (if only a few), good performances and a imaginative story. I liked it, yes, but I didn't loved it.
This sequel, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is considerably a much better film in my opinion. It is a visually gorgeous film to look at. The art direction, combined with the neat special effects, and good costume design, makes the movie great-looking. Second, it has a more interesting story that starts right from the very beggining and it doesn't have a BIG introduction, like the first movie. We already know the characters, but we get to know more of them this time. There IS character development, helped by very good acting by all of the cast, including the three kids, who deliver their lines with style and personality. These kids look like they're having fun with their roles.
The story surprisingly kept me interested, and the dialogue was just so full of wit. The movie is also darker and scarier than the first film. It has two quite scary action sequences involving spiders and a pretty ugly monster at the end of the film (a final action sequence that looked and felt as a scary horror film).
This is the kind of film kids will LOVE, and adults can enjoy without being bored. It is an improvement over the first film. And I have a suspicion that the next film will be even darker and better.
***1/2 out of ****