Much Better!

Rating: Null/10 (11 November 2002)

Wow what a relief. As an avid reader of the books I was disappointed in the first film. However, Chamber of Secrets surpasses Philosophers Stone by miles, largely due to huge increase in acting ability and confidence shown by Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) and co. The screenplay is also more accomplished and funnier with less cliqued lines (although some still remain!). Kenneth Branagh is a superb Gilderoy Lockhart, oozing smarminess and vanity. Chris Columbus engineers some amazing shots in this film. The very first and the last especially stand out. Critics of the last movie said the film wasn't magical to watch, but Columbus has restored the magic in this movie. The special effects are slicker and more believable while Dobby, although not quite how I imagined him, grew on me. All in all a great cinematic experience.