Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Film Review
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Carrying on the formula...
It's not surprising really that Chris Columbus took up the directorial plinth once again to direct the 2nd instalment of the Harry Potter film series, since he profoundly did a rather successful yet simple job of creating the platform and mood for the first flick. In actuality, there does seem to be this rather odd correlation between each and every well-known film franchise in terms of the person who directs the films of that particular film series. Good examples of this of course come in the forms of Christopher Nolan and Peter Jackson who have both made multiple films for the respected film series; Nolan with The Dark Knight trilogy and Jackson with his efforts of both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit sets of films. What is noticeable about these two directors (and potentially others as well) is how, after each film they made, they significantly found a way, either within the contexts of the film or with the technical aspects, to improve on the last film which in turn, makes the film series they're apart of, stand out from the rest. Of course, the Harry Potter series, as it went on, gradually shined near to its end and overall culminated to children's understanding of film. However, having to re-watch the Chamber of Secrets for this review, there really isn't much that director Columbus did to improve on from his first filmic piece. Other than the introduction of a fair few characters who seemingly thread into the world of Potter and much improved action set-pieces and acting from the young leading trio, there is this mentality throughout that makes you think that you've been and seen all of this before; making the structure and pacing of the film to be rather stagnant...
Following on from his adventures from The Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter is once again spending his summer holidays with his muggle relations, the Dursley's, when he suddenly gets a surprise visitor in the form of Dobby, the house-elf, who warns Harry to not go back to Hogwarts; warning him that terrible things are going to happen. With the help of the Weasley family, who help him back into the wizarding world, Harry once again goes back to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his 2nd year where he is faced with another curious, strange and terrible mystery. Muggle born students of the school are turning up petrified and bloody writing appears on the walls, revealing to everyone, that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened once again. As the school year goes on, with the possibility of the closure of Hogwarts and hearing strange voices within the walls of the school, Harry, along with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, is forced to secretly uncover the truth about the Chamber of Secrets before any more lives are taken...
A whiff of 'Horror' within the Potter films? |
Richard Harris: played his role well with Columbus' style... |
While, understandably being older, I didn't really attach myself on a humorous level with the character of Dobby, it does have to be mentioned that the CG, considering the time it was made (when CG was becoming a used commodity throughout the majority of films), is executed rather well in a seamless way. Overall, there was good implementation of cinematic effects which meshed well together. One good example of this would be the spiders/Aragog appearance's in the Forbidden Forest, where the CG spiders are crawling around the tree's whilst we also see, on screen, an animatronic model of the giant spider Aragog who looms over both Harry and Ron. This can be also said with the appearance of the Basilisk as well, with it slithering around after Daniel Radcliffe who acts rather well in that filmic passage.
Commendable as Chris Columbus tried to offer up another magical 2nd instalment of Harry Potter with the Chamber of Secrets, it's noticeable right from seeing Harry in his new bedroom at the Durseley's, that the film is a carbon-copy of The Philosopher's Stone in terms of the narrative structure and the overblown running time which honestly, negated my viewing experience after re-watching it. Despite the film improving on the casting/acting of a huge array of people and continuing to do a simple yet effective job of moulding the CGI with the practical effects, there wasn't anything or any scene that implemented something new or different. It's a very stagnant film that goes far too much into detail for its own good and really should have been cut down more towards a respectful running time that is more accessible to watch. For sure, great amount of change would be bestowed upon Alfonso Cuaron's take on Harry Potter with the Prisoner of Azkaban, but would that film tarnish the reputation of the past films and the books? Or would it be seen as a platform that added even more cinematic quality and imagination to this fantastical tale?...
Well, on that note, I think it's time to end my short film review. A always everyone, thank you for reading my latest film review and I hope you've enjoyed the read! If anyone has an opinion on the film or on the review itself, please feel free to drop a comment down below in the comments section. Next week, I'll be giving you an anime review of the recent 'Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress', an anime executed by the same person who did the well known 'Attack on Titan'. Until then, I want to finally thank you once again for everyone who has my latest review and I'll be seeing you all next week! Have a nice weekend! Adieu!! :)
7/10 - Alex Rabbitte