The Chamber of Secrets Movie Review
A Magical movie for Children and Adults
I’m a firm believer in ‘the books are always better’. However, I have to admit, the Harry Potter movies are pretty good and magical. I have watched each one multiple times, and while I may still believe the books are better, I enjoy the movies so much. They are definitely one of my most watched comfort movies – something I watch when I am feeling a little
blue.
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
“So, Dobby stopped us from getting on the train and broke your arm…” He shook his head.
“You know what, Harry? If he doesn’t stop trying to save your life, he’s going to kill you.”
Released in November 2002, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets became the second highest grossing movie in 2002, grossing $879 million worldwide. It was nominated for 46 awards and received a whooping 13 wins.
JK ROWLING
J K Rowling is a British author who wanted to be a writer from an early age. She wrote her first book at the age of six, a story about a rabbit. At just eleven, she wrote her first novel about seven cursed diamonds.
Her most popular work is the seven-volume Harry Potter series which has sold over 600 million copies and has been translated into 84 languages. J K Rowling has won many awards for her work. She has received an OBE and made a Companion of Honour for services to literature and philanthropy.
She co-founded the charity Lumos and established the Volant Charitable Trust, named after her mother. J K Rowling’s charitable giving centers on medical causes and supporting at-risk women and children. Politically, she has donated to Britain’s Labour Party and since 2019, she has publicly expressed her opinions on transgender people.
These have been criticized as transphobic from some feminists while receiving support from other feminists.
Plot
This movie starts with Harry spending his summer with the Dursleys.
“I’ll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I’m not there.”
Harry receives a surprise visitor while the Durley’s entertain some guests: Dobby, a house elf. Dobby warns Harry against returning to Hogwarts, for atrocious things are going to happen. Harry ignores Dobby’s warning and returns to school as planned.
However, at Hogwarts, strange and horrendous things are indeed happening. Harry is hearing cryptic voices from inside the walls, muggle-born students are being attacked and a message on the wall written in blood has put everyone on guard, “The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir, beware”.
“Well, you’re expelling us, aren’t you?” said Ron.
“Not today, Mr. Weasley.”
Snape looked as though Christmas had been cancelled.”
This movie, like all the others, is full of action and adventure. There is never a dull moment
and if you are anything like me, your eyes will be glued to the screen the entire time!
Characters
Harry Potter
Our main character, Harry plays a central role in this film as the protagonist.
Ignoring the warnings of house-elf and his friend, Dobby, Harry returns to Hogwarts, only to find danger ahead. His character represents innocence, kindness and bravery.
Ron Weasley
Ron is Harry’s best and most loyal friend. He is from a respected but poor family. Ron never
lets Harry face danger alone and is always bravely at his side for any threat Harry may face.
Hermione Granger
Their other best friend, Hermione, is the voice of wisdom and logic in all their adventures. She is the top student in all her classes and Hermione is well-read and clever. The following quote sums of their friendship perfectly:
“Harry — I think I’ve just understood something! I’ve got to go to the library!”
And she sprinted away, up the stairs.
“What does she understand?” said Harry distractedly, still looking around, trying to tell
where the voice had come from.
“Loads more than I do,” said Ron, shaking his head.
“But why’s she got to go to the library?”
“Because that’s what Hermione does,” said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the
library.”
Dobby
Dobby had prior knowledge about the Chamber of Secrets opening this year and so he tries
his best to warn Harry to stay away from Hogwarts, with no success.
One of the most iconic moments and quotes in the whole movie for me is:
“Dobbie is free.”
Voldermort
Voldermort is the evil being who killed Harry’s parents when he was a baby and failed to kill
Harry. He is the embodiment of evil.
Hagrid
One of my personal favourite characters, Hagrid is the gamekeeper at Hogwarts and a good
friend of Harry’s. He has a strange fascination for dangerous and magical creatures.
Albus Dumbledore
The headmaster at Hogwarts, Dumbledore is a powerful and wise man. He believes that all
wizards, regardless of their blood, have the same potential for magical greatness.
Draco Malfoy
Slimy, snobby and incredibly sneaky, Draco is Harry’s greatest nemesis at Hogwarts. He
comes from a wealthy family, their wealth providing them with an air of superiority.
Ginny Weasley
Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny is a shy girl with an enormous crush on Harry. She finds Tom Riddle’s diary and the magical diary manipulates her into opening the Chamber of Secrets and releasing the dangerous basilisk.
Minerva McGonagall
The head of Gryffindor house, a stern but kind professor at Hogwarts.
Severus Snape
The Potions teacher, an ill-tempered man, Snape is the head of the Slytherin House and receives great pleasure in trying to get Harry in trouble.
Gilderoy Lockhart
The teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lockhart is the author of many magical books.
An incompetent, vain man, Lockhart offers much of the humour in this movie.
Argus Filch
The caretaker at Hogwarts, who is very grouchy and likes nothing but his cat.
Mrs Norris
Filch’s beloved cat who was petrified by the basilik.
My opinions / reviews / ratings
I love every single book and every single movie in this series. I feel this movie may have had the most difficult challenge, in being as popular and enjoyable as the first one, but I think it surpassed any expectations. The numbers from the sales reflect the huge success this movie was and still is.
“Jiggery pokery!” said Harry in a fierce voice. “Hocus pocus — squiggly wiggly —”
“MUUUUUUM!” howled Dudley, “He’s doing you know what!”
The comic relief alone in this movie is amazing and I found myself laughing multiple times while watching. The sense of magical coziness is one that no other movie provides for me. I highly recommend this movie. I am going to end this blog by listing the movies in order, just in case you want to check them out.