By: debbie lynn elias
The wait is over! Hogwarts is back in session and this time a truly evil force has come to join the class. Opening in more than 3500 theaters nationwide on November 15, the world’s most beloved wizard returns to the big screen for his second term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in “Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.” With old and new favorites alike, director Chris Columbus once again takes the reins, breathing even more life into the already kaleidoscopic adventures of Harry Potter in this second installment of J.K. Rowling’s immortal second installment in the Harry Potter book.
When we last saw Harry, he, together with his best friends Ron and Hermione, had just completed the first year at Hogwarts, having uncovered a plot involving the sorcerer’s stone and the evil Voldemort, which situation our three young heroes handled very nicely, thank you very much. (For those of you that don’t know or don’t recall, Harry is actually a very powerful wizard, marked for greatness and already a celebrity in his own right, having been the sole survivor of a reign of terror by the malevolent Voldemort and eventual battle which killed his parents.) Along the way, the world became privy to Harry’s wondrous world of wizardry complete with wands and magic hats, professors that turn into cats, goblins, dragons, Devil’s Snare, candles and brooms that float in the air, three-headed dogs, mystical bricks, and that magical game of Quidditch that’s played in the air while riding on broomsticks. Wizards or not, though, kids will be kids, with friends and foes, rivalries galore and professors (and students) that they all abhor. (Boo to the Slitherins!) But above all, we met three wonderful wizards who became the best of friends and whose greatest magic came not from their wands, but from their hearts.
And now, Harry, Ron and Hermione are ready to start their second year at Hogwarts. But before they can get there, Harry receives a visit from a house-elf named Dobby who warns him not to return. Ignoring the warning, Harry returns to school, still famous and still at odds with the Slytherins and their leaders Snape and Malfoy. (Harry, of course, is a Gryffindor) But, being a school of witchcraft and wizardry, nothing is ever as it seems and shortly after the term commences, strange things start to happen. Students are petrified and one by one, inexplicably turned into stone. Harry hears voices – well, one particular voice, which comes from the very walls of Hogwarts. Seems there is a hidden chamber in the dungeon of Hogwarts which contains a horrifying secret and some villainous creature (or person) has mysteriously leaned how to open it, letting evil loose. As comes as no surprise, Harry is the prime suspect. Seems legend has it that only Salazar Slytherin’s true descendent can open the chamber. It turns out that Harry is a Parsel-tongue, meaning he is able to speak/understand snakes – just like Slytherin. Harry, a Slytherin???? GASP!!!!
But enough of the story! We’ve got new characters galore and none is more glorious than Kenneth Branagh as Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, teacher of the Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hilariously swarmy and foppish, Branagh clearly seems to be having the time of his life as Lockhart. Jason Isaacs appears as the evil Lucius Malfoy, father of Harry’s arch-rival (and Slytherin) Draco. With blond hair careening to his waist and an ever present snakes-head cane, Isaacs simply oozes evil. Miriam Margolyes, in a cameo as the green fingered Professor Sprout, is an absolute delight as she instructs the class in the re-potting of mandrakes. With a combination of live action and animatronics, you can’t help but laugh at the foibles of dealing with these grotesque, wailing “baby” plants and Margolyes is enchanting in her efforts. And of course, who can help but adore Dobby, an orchid-eared, swordfish-snouted elf — Rowling’s answer to Star Wars’ Jar-Jar Binks (but nowhere near as annoying!).
Returning again are the incomparable Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Alan Rickman as Potionology Professor Snape, the huggably lovable Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, keeper of the keys and gates, and of course, the late Sir Richard Harris as headmaster Albus Dumbledore. This being his final role and the one which will undoubtedly touch generations of children and fans for years to come, makes his performance bittersweet. Trust me, you will catch yourself with a tear in your eye as he imparts wisdom and grandfatherly love to his young charges. Filling his shoes will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, but at the top of my list would be Patrick Stewart. And of course, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are back as Harry, Hermione and Ron. While more confident in their performances, the boys are clearly in the throws of puberty with growth spurts and voice changes, all of which only make the characters even more endearing.
But what’s a movie about wizards without some of Hollywood’s own movie magic and wizardry. Screenwriter Steve Kloves and Columbus are once again loving faithful to Rowling’s book, although Columbus does enhance the imagination roller coaster with a few visual touches of his own. Just imagine the flying Ford Anglia ten times more dangerous than in the book! Or the Whomping Willow tree – possibly one of the best visual effects in the film. Fawkes the Phoenix, pixies, spiders, slithering snakes, magical mandrakes, battles with monsters – where does one begin in describing all the visual wonders! Just hand out the Academy Award for special effects now!
Given the darker and more malevolent tone of “Chamber”, however, the door is left wide open for Columbus to go “hog wild”with even more varied, fascinating, jaw dropping special effects and action (including some horror) sequences and none more so than with the wildly popular game of Quidditch. Taking a game between our two ruling and dueling houses, Columbus turns it into a one-on-one aerial dogfight between Harry and Draco, more thrilling than any roller coaster ride! Columbus’ continually energetic, sweeping command of the camera, not just here, but throughout the entire film is unparalleled.
At 162 minutes, this sounds like a long film, but the time passes quickly…almost too quickly. A technical and visual masterpiece. A loving adaptation of wizardry and wonderment. A genuine trio of heroes. “Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets” – a truly spectacular, spectacular!!
