Review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) by Natalie F — 14 Jan 2013

It's the 15th of November, 2002. I've turned 12 the day before and I'm only just over the year long hardship of coming to terms with not receiving my Hogwarts letter at the age of 11 (What am I saying.

. I've never come to terms with that..). At this time the Chamber of Secrets is my favourite book, mainly because - at 12 - I believed that I too could speak to snakes, and this would one day come into use.

The film was outstanding, the intricacies of the characters - the ridiculousness of Lockhart, the beguiling whine of moaning myrtle - the view of the castle in the past as well as the usual Hogwarts charm of mischief and mayhem, as a 12 year old fan of the books, I was more than spoilt.

I loved this film the most at the time, although more recent rewatchings may have shown that it doesn't quite stand up to the others in the saga, my impression is still frozen at that moment when myself & my friends walked out the cinema (in the usual witch & wizard dress up) quoting our favourite bits and already inordinately excited for next year's film.

5 stars and still utterly biased.