Breathtaking, Cinematic, Epic ... Perfect

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2008)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is not only an amazing family film, it's the gold standard of movie-making, equal to and in some parts better than J.K. Rowling's incredible book.
From the opening credits to the final note of 'Hedwig's Theme,' Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a true joy to watch. Leading the movie as everyone's three favorite Hogwarts students, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson continue to captivate and delight the audience with their talent. Hogwarts is once again a captivating and enchanting safe hold for young Harry and his friends, a world of true magic eons away from the rundown teenage hangout it becomes in movies 3-5. The chilling and charming music creates atmospheres of both whimsical wonder - such as in the Weasley's home or Hogwarts at Christmas - and eerie tension, such as Harry's conversation with Riddle's Diary or the final encounter in the Chamber. Newcomers such as Ginny Weasley, Colin Creevey, Lucius Malfoy, Gilderoy Lockhart, Professor Sprout, Moaning Myrtle and Tom Riddle suit the characters perfectly.
From the sweeping camera shots above Hogwarts' highest tower to the ominous music that plays as Tom Riddle reveals his true identity in the chamber, everything breathes Hogwarts. Even for someone who isn't a fan of the books, the storyline is easy to follow and weaves an enthralling fantasy film with a true moral in the end. The acting, the storyline, the animation, the music ... everything is 100% perfect.