Could Have Been Better

Rating: 7/10 (15 November 2002)

Let me warn everyone of this first: I am a Harry Potter, so my expectations were high. Also note that this is my least favorite Harry Potter story.
All right, now that that's out of the way, let's begin. First of all, a warning to parents: there are some grotesque scenes in the film. At one point, Ron vomits slugs (for a bit too long, in my opinion) and in another scene a "snake's" eyes are pecked out and bloody sockets are left.

Last year's film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorceror's Stone, followed the book rather closely. This one rearranged scenes, completely omitted two major scenes (The Deathday Party, Lucius Malfoy selling illegal wizard goods in Knockturn Alley). If this made the action more effective, I would have been all for it. But the editing did not help the story at all. In fact, it hindered it.
Another criticism: Hollywoodization. Scenes were overdone and pushed far beyond their needed limits. The first film had some of this, especially in this Quidditch scene, but this one went too far. Be warned.
However, there were great moments of humor. Though I didn't approve of Dobby's design, he was used effectively. Kenneth Branaugh was brilliant as Gilderoy Lockhart. But the stand-out of the class was Draco's father, Lucius Malfoy. You could see the evil in his eyes. His portrayal was nothing short of astounding.
Additionally, the cinematography was excellent. The CGI was a big overplayed, especially when the Chamber of Secrets was opened. And was it just me, or did the Basilisk look like Godzilla?
I think ..Prisoner of Azkaban will be interesting in the arms of a less Hollywood-ized director.
Rating: 8.5 / 10