An ancient prophecy seems to be coming true when a mysterious presence begins stalking the corridors of a school of magic and leaving its victims paralyzed.
Forced to spend his summer holidays with his muggle relations, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) gets a real shock when he gets a surprise visitor: Dobby (Toby Jones) the house-elf, who warns Harry against returning to Hogwarts, for terrible things are going to happen. Harry decides to ignore Dobby's warning and continues with his pre-arranged schedule. But at Hogwarts, strange and terrible things are indeed happening. Harry is suddenly hearing mysterious voices from inside the walls, muggle-born students are being attacked, and a message scrawled on the wall in blood puts everyone on his or her guard, "The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies Of The Heir, Beware".Written by
Soumitra
Shirley Henderson (Moaning Myrtle) is the oldest actress (age thirty-seven) to portray a Hogwarts student. See more »
Goofs
(at around 1h 9 mins) When Ron and Hermione inform Harry he is a Parselmouth, he says, "I know. I mean I accidentally set a python on my cousin Dudley once". But the snake that escaped in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was a boa constrictor. See more »
Quotes
[first lines]
[Hedwig wants to be let out of her cage]
Harry:
I can't let you out, Hedwig! I'm not allowed to use magic outside of school. Besides, if Uncle Vernon...
Uncle Vernon:
[yells]
Harry Potter!
Harry:
Now you've done it.
See more »
Crazy Credits
The film begins with some dark clouds, one of them moves aside to reveal the Warner Bros logo which zooms in then turns away out of the picture, some more clouds then move aside to reveal the film title shining a bit in the sunset. See more »
Alternate Versions
There is an extended cut of the film running approx. 174 minutes (vs. the theatrical's 161 minutes). It edits back in most of the scenes included as deleted scenes on the previous DVD release. This version was also shown on TV (e.g. Disney Channel). The deleted scenes are as such:
a scene where Colin Creevey introduces himself to Harry by taking his picture is extended by Colin explaining his family history.
a scene that shows Lucius Malfoy and son coming to Burgins & Burke to sell magical items of 'questionable' nature, which introduces Lucius to the story (and perhaps more importantly, how he treats his son when _not_ in a crowd) earlier than in the theatrical version
a scene in the library after Justin had been petrified, which has been extended. Instead of Harry just overhearing some whispers, he hears a whole conversation between three students debating whether he is the Heir of Slytherin.
during the Dueling Club scene, Justin Finch-Fletchley introduces himself to Harry and tells him that he's a Muggle-born.
a scene with Harry, Ron, and Hermione in the hospital wing after her Polyjuice Potion incident but before her release thereof.
after the camera pans away from the students applauding Hagrid's return in the Great Hall, the scene which was at the very end of the credits in the theatrical version is shown. In a shot of the front of a wizarding bookstore, a book called "Who Am I?" by Professor Gilderoy Lockhart is on display. The author's picture on the cover is of Lockhart struggling confusedly in a straitjacket, and humming the movie's theme music.
a scene where Crabbe and Goyle, just awakening from the mickeyed muffins, run into Harry and Ron as they're running from the Slytherin dorms. Harry and Ron are halfway through transforming back into themselves, and actually look like two completely unknown students.
I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, but I really did enjoy 'the chamber of secrets'. After seeing the first installment of the Harry Potter saga I wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. I never hated it, nor loved it, but I can honestly say that it hadn't left any impression on me.
However, this second installment was a vast improvement on the first. The movie moves a lot quicker & goes straight into the story without any faffing about. I guess there's little need for introductions as we already know of most of the main characters.
The kids' acting appears to have improved a hell of a lot. Looks like they've gained more confidence, and it really shows, which is great for us as they're much more entertaining to watch now.
The ending to this movie was also a great improvement from the last film, with a more believable baddie and more terrifying monsters.
All in all, I was impressed with this film, more so when I compare to the first one. Others may disagree. I don't care! This is a kids film, after all.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.
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I'm not a huge Harry Potter fan, but I really did enjoy 'the chamber of secrets'. After seeing the first installment of the Harry Potter saga I wasn't quite sure what to make of it all. I never hated it, nor loved it, but I can honestly say that it hadn't left any impression on me.
However, this second installment was a vast improvement on the first. The movie moves a lot quicker & goes straight into the story without any faffing about. I guess there's little need for introductions as we already know of most of the main characters.
The kids' acting appears to have improved a hell of a lot. Looks like they've gained more confidence, and it really shows, which is great for us as they're much more entertaining to watch now.
The ending to this movie was also a great improvement from the last film, with a more believable baddie and more terrifying monsters.
All in all, I was impressed with this film, more so when I compare to the first one. Others may disagree. I don't care! This is a kids film, after all.