better than the first

Rating: 8/10 (18 September 2005)

It's Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry despite the pleadings of an imp named Dobby, whom ends up making Harry's foster family hate him more (if such a thing is possible). He has to traverse the Chamber of Secrets to find out who's writing mysterious messages on the school hallways and why people have been petrified. It's up to Harry who has the ability to speak and understand snake talk to save the day. This sequel to an enjoyable little film is better because it can do away with the exposition that the first had to show, and concentrate more on the story, which is deeper and a tad darker than before. I even enjoyed Hermione more in this film, but as is true with the ying and yang, so is true with a hatred of a character in the film, and it's been transfered from Hermione to the awful character of Moaning Myrtle, yea I know she plays an integral part in the plot line of the film, but I still couldn't help but detest her. I think it was her speech patterns that grated on my nerves. That petty nuisance aside, I found this film to be simply captivating from beginning to end.
My Grade: A-
2-disc DVD Extras: Disc 1) Year One At Hogwarts featurette; Theatrical Trailer Disc Two) 19 Additional / Extended Scenes; Photo Gallery; Certificates Gallery; Build A Scene featurette; Tour Dumbledore's Office; Cast & Crew Interviews; Conversation With JK Rowling And Steve Kloves featurette; Production Sketches gallery; Colin's Darkroom; and Tour Diagon Alley
DVD-Rom: Chamber Of Secrets Game demo; interactive Hogwarts time-line; Screensaver; Photo Hunt; Sliders; Jigsaw puzzle; matching potions; the chamber challenge; Spellcasting knowledge; the Forbidden Forest challenge; 3D Great Hall cutout; printable mazes; and folding accordion posters