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A Reel Life film section

Issue: Summer 2002-3


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets movie review

Harry's Back

It's a new year and Harry is a virtual prisoner in Dudley's second bedroom. He is visited by a strange creature called Dobby who tries to prevent Harry from returning to Hogwarts.

The Weasley boys rescue him using their father's flying car and he leaves from the eccentric magically Weasley home to go to Diagon Alley for this year's school things.

There they meet their new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, a famous self-promoting wizard (Kenneth Branagh), and the father of school bully Malfoy.

When Harry and Ron are rejected by the magical portal to platform 9 3/4, they use the flying car to make their own way to school.

Movie Poster, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Festivale film review

Movie Poster, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; Festivale film review

"Dobby Has Come To Warn You Sir."

Our young friends settle into their magical education, but are quickly involved in a new mystery as the "heir of Slytherin" begins a reign of terror that threatens the closure of Hogwarts.

The adventures large and small that fill Harry's second year move quickly, enhanced by better special effects than those of the first film. Once again the movie rises above the original material, helped along by comfortable performances that contribute to the reality of Harry's world.

Fun, friendship and a well-deserved come-upance for the baddies. What more can one want in a kids film?

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by Ali Kayn
Due for Australian release 28 November 2002
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.

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Just the facts:

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Written by: novel by J. K. Rowling, script by Steve Kloves
Directed by: Chris Columbus
running time: 181 mins

The Players: Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Fiona Shaw, Richard Griffiths, Julie Walters, Alan Rickman, Kenneth Branah, Gemma Jones, John Cleese

Official website: Official site

IMDb entry

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