First sequels are the true test of an enduring movie franchise,
and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets passes with flying
colors. Expanding upon the lavish sets, special effects, and grand
adventure of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry's
second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry involves
a darker, more malevolent tale (parents with younger children beware),
beginning with the petrified bodies of several Hogwarts students
and magical clues leading Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert
Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) to a 50-year-old mystery in the
monster-laden Chamber of Secrets. House elves, squealing mandrakes,
giant spiders, and venomous serpents populate this loyal adaptation
(by Sorcerer's Stone director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steve
Kloves), and Kenneth Branagh delightfully tops the supreme supporting
cast as the vainglorious charlatan Gilderoy Lockhart (be sure to
view past the credits for a visual punchline at Lockhart's expense).
At 161 minutes, the film suffers from lack of depth and uneven pacing,
and John Williams' score mostly reprises established themes. The
young, fast-growing cast offers ample compensation, however, as
does the late Richard Harris in his final screen appearance as Professor
Albus Dumbledore. Brimming with cleverness, wonderment, and big-budget
splendor, Chamber honors the legacy of J.K. Rowling's novels. --
Jeff Shannon
Product Details:
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson
Director: Chris Columbus
Encoding: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. This DVD will probably
NOT be viewable in other countries. Read more about DVD formats.)
Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen
Rated: PG
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date: April 11, 2003
DVD Features:
(c) 2003 Warner Home Video. Harry Potter Publishing Rights
(c) J.K.R. HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia
are trademarks of and (c) Warner Bros.
19 additional/extended scenes
Interviews with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint
(Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione) and other cast members
An exclusive interview with author J.K. Rowling and screenwriter
Steve Kloves
Self-guided tours allowing viewers to linger on the details
of the Chamber of Secrets, including places never shown in
the film such as more Diagon Alley shops
Activities allow viewers to escape the Forbidden Forest,
sneak into the Chamber and more.
Visit Lockhart's class and get a closer look at his photos
and memorabilia through the use of still galleries.
Keep track of events with the Hogwarts official, animated
timeline
DVD-ROM has more than 15 special features including: The
One VoiceDVD technology will allow users to navigate through
the DVD-ROM features and access set top features using only
their voices; an animated, interactive Hogwarts timeline;
a slider puzzle challenge; printable magic trading cards;
jigsaw puzzles, matching challenges, downloadable screensavers
and more