Review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) by Russell G — 09 Jun 2013

It is good to see the series maintain what made the first movie so great. The actors are noticeably growing up since the first film, but so too are their characters in the story. Changes in the characters are only subtle, but they show how skillfully crafted the story and characters are.

This time around the adventure is more detailed, involved, and certainly darker, which makes it a lot more exciting. The filmmakers continue to create a rich experience and effectively instill a sense of wonder.

They do a great job of injecting new discoveries and unveiling new parts of this magical world, both in the details and on the jaw dropping larger than life scale. Chamber of Secrets gets the viewer more immersed in the school life, teachers, magic, and most importantly the characters.

It is enjoyable to watch the developing chemistry of the three core characters, as they are starting to develop strong bonds. The execution of the human dimension is very good and it elevates the movie to become far more than just an imaginative adventure; it has heart.

This is the highest form of sequel, where it actually strengthens, advances, and builds upon a great series foundation.