It got me to the theatre

Rating: Null/10 (24 November 2002)

There are not many movies that can get me to the movie theatre, which have become miserable places for me since they banned smoking*S* (the last movie I went to see in the theatre was The X Files) so it was with delight that after seeing "Sorcerer's Stone" on HBO I was chomping at the bit to go and see "Chamber" at the theatre this weekend. I was not disappointed, and despite the length of the film I never once felt the need to sneak out for a quick inhale. The initial delight was seeing the changes in the young cast, how they had grown and matured between the two films. How Ron (Rupert) was now slightly taller than Harry, and how his voice is apparently in the throes of breaking (and would "crack" occasionally). Harry (Daniel), slightly taller and a little fuller in the face and also with a voice a few octaves lower. And Hermione (Emma), I shall quote Roger Ebert on that one "on the road to babedom". I will not be at all surprised if in ten years these three (Daniel, Rupert and Emma) are not the new Leonardo, Brad and Jennifer (albeit more than likely much better actors). The film itself is a joy to behold and I was actually disappointed when it ended. I genuinely laughed during the funny parts and the scary parts were genuinely scary. It amazed me when the lights went up that I was in a theatre (it was the 7:15pm showing) that was packed with "grown ups" not a child in there, it says something about a "kids" movie that can pack a theatre with adults. My husband and I had a long coversation over dinner afterwards about who they will cast to replace Richard Harris, as it would appear that we have already lost most of the "elder statesmen" of English actors, John Hurt could pull it off but he was in #1 as a different character and I think the kids are too savvy these days to let that one by them, Ian McKellen would be ace, but he is too busy being Gandalph and that would be too damn confusing, Anthony Hopkins (IMHO) is too short and stocky, Dumbeldore needs to be tall and willowy. Perhaps the suggestion of another earlier that Sean Connery is the best choice should be considered. Personally I would rather roll around in nettles than be the casting director with that thankless task right now. I have a few minor problems with the movie (and they are minor) I really wish we had seen more of Mrs. Weasley, (I am a huge Julie Walters fan) when I heard that Harry goes to the Weasley's house I was looking forward to seeing much more of her, but just as soon as he was there he was heading up the chimney. Jason Isaacs performance was, as always, beautiful, but I often wondered why on earth he was there, he appeared to "appear" simply for the point of appearing menacing. Kenneth Branaugh, while (as always) BRILLIANT was to be honest a little too understated, perhaps he was trying hard not to go over the top, whereas I think with the character he played, over the top would have been the way to go. Finally, the spider, being one of Hagrid's pets, I cannot imagine that he would allow his "sons and daughters" to eat a human, so that to me was a little unbelievable (I know its weird calling something in a Harry Potter movie unbelievable!) All in all it is a thoroughly enjoyable movie and I cannot wait for it to come out on video so that I can watch it again and again.