Well I guess I'm still feeling the effects of the Harry Potter exhibition, since while home for Thanksgiving break I found myself watching three more of the movies with some overly-enthusiastic friends. Based on my least favorite of the books, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets details the events of Harry's second year at the wizarding school of Hogwarts. After a cat, a ghost, and several students are found magically petrified throughout the school, it's determined that the mysterious Chamber of Secrets has been opened, causing panic among both children and adults because the last time this happened, a young student died due to some unknown beast's attacks. Harry suspects his natural enemy Draco Malfoy, but he needs the help of best friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) to find the true culprit. Quidditch, a sabotage-happy house elf, and the bumbling egomaniac Professor Lockheart (Kenneth Branagh) fill up the rest of his spare time.
This continues many of the traditions laid down in the first film, with exaggerated performances and detailed but uninspired visuals. It's all a little bland, but still watchable and appropriately magical and British. The kids are a bit more comfortable with themselves, but not wholly convincing as actors. It stays pretty close to the book but since I think this is the lamest one (not bad, just eh), that doesn't mean much to me. This installment is possibly the height of Harry and Ron's collective stupidity, since they spend most of the climactic parts without Hermione to tell them what to do.
I feel Columbus's approach is heavy on certain aspects of the book's story but too light on character relationships, which help make the books so enjoyable. I guess in general I just don't have much else to say about this movie. It's likable enough, but fairly mediocre. It's got a flying car and giant spiders and a haunted toilet (nice to see you, Shirley Henderson!) and we get to briefly see The Burrow, one of my favorite fictional dwellings. You know, whatever.
3/5
My original art for Harry Potter is for sale.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
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Damn right this is the worst one. THE WORST ONE. I have so many issues with this film. A] It's the first one with that wretchedly BAD actress who plays Ginny. B] The cast is really coasting on this one. Even Grint, who's usually good, is just meh. C] I cannot never forgive for that schmaltzy ending. Hagrid comes back and the entire school give him a standing ovation, including the Slytherins. Yeah. Not bloody likely. Just hate it; but the boy Voldermort was excellent.
ReplyDeleteIt isn't the best but I'm not sure it's the worst either.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's the worst, but it's my least favorite by far. The ending is indeed horrible, I found Brannaugh to be even more annoying than he was intended to be...and I'm a big baby that hates giant spiders.
ReplyDeleteAnd even between this and the latest, they haven't delved enough into the young Voldemort. Those are some of the more interesting scenes of the franchise, yet we get such a small glimpse.
I HATE the Chanber of Secrets. It's definitley the worst movie. They empasize the stupidest parts an skip over the most important. WHat the hell is wrong with it? EVERYTHING!!!!
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