Film Review: Harry Potter "The Chamber of Secrets"

**Spoilers** 
If you have not yet seen this movie, please go and do so before proceeding.

         So Harry comes to his second year at Hogwarts, the Dursleys are as awful as ever, and I think I've just fallen in love with the Weasleys a little bit more. I wasn't aware that was possible, but sure enough it happened.

          I absolutely love the friendship that Harry and Ron share. Harry and Hermione are great too, but as Hermione is petrified about halfway through this movie, it's really Harry and Ron who come to the forefront. Separated from their friend, they have to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together and figure out what the mysterious monster is.

         There's a lot of humor in this one, more so even than in Philosopher's Stone, I think. J.K. Rowling is really the mistress of the ironic snark and a lot of her hilarious, thought-provoking prose is carried through to the screen. 

       We are also introduced to the Weasley Clan Patriarch, played to utter perfection by Mark Williams. I think Harry will forever love Arthur because, when they met, he was the only person from the wizarding world to absently ask Harry who he was and then, upon learning his name, cheerfully quiz him about the function of a rubber duck and muggle culture rather than gawking at his scar and making cryptic statements. (YES, MR. MALFOY I'M LOOKING AT YOU!)

           The Weasleys may be the highlight of the movie, but to be honest it is hard to pick out which moment is best. One of the most exciting scenes would have to be the Quidditch match where Harry goes up against his rival, Draco Malfoy, in a Seeker battle that also includes a rogue bludger. This is definitely something that will have you on the edge of your seat, watching intently and fighting the urge to squeak every time that the bludger almost hits either of the boys.

          I absolutely adore the music, particular the epic, menacing score that plays whenever something to do with the Chamber of Secrets or the Heir of Slytherin. The score has a sound that is uniquely Harry Potter. John Williams is the composer (again) and he just contributes so much charm, enchantment, and emotion that I get chills every time I hear the themes start to play. They just set the tone so well. 

          The climax of the movie, with the reveal of Tom Riddle and the fight with the Basilisk, is just perfect. It's tense and full of action (though I always do feel sorry for Ron, trapped with Lockhart, worrying for Ginny and Harry) and has a satisfying end. Certainly the big hug that Hermione runs in and gives to her boys puts a big, stupid smile on my face every time. I also really love the message of this movie. Harry discovers that he is a Parselmouth. He has some of You-Know-Who's power inside of him because of what happened when he was a baby. But that doesn't mean he's doomed to go dark side to. It's the choices a person makes that defines what they are. Everybody has some dark in them. Some choose to fight against it, others do not. It's all about attitude and choice.

          There is so much more that I could say about this movie. Really I don't think there is a dull or wasted cog in any of the works. Everything melds together to create a (dare I say it) magical journey that whisks me off to another world and a wonderful story of friendship and loyalty every time I watch it. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets is a 5/5.

What did you think? Do you agree with my rating? If not - what would you say differently?