Review by Daniel M. Suh
11.25.2002
|
ASM Quick Facts |
|
Title: Harry Potter |
Don't forget to check out Greg Sepelak's thoughts on Changes to future Harry Potter movies.
Synopsis:
When we last looked in on Harry Potter, he'd completed his first year at Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, helped win the House Cup for Gryffindor House, and stopped the disembodied Lord Voldemort from stealing the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone. Since then, however, life hasn't been much fun. He's still living with his horrible aunt and uncle, and he hasn't received a single letter all summer from his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Then, on the same night that his uncle is entertaining important business clients, Harry receives a visit from a house elf named Dobby, who it turns out has been intercepting his mail in order to try and dissuade him from going back to Hogwarts. It seems a mysterious evil has returned to the ancient school and Harry is in particular danger if he returns there. After Harry refuses to heed the warning, Dobby promptly wrecks his uncle's party, resulting in poor Harry getting imprisoned in his room. Fortunately, Ron rescues him by way of an enchanted flying Ford Angelia he "borrowed" from his father. After mysteriously missing their train, Harry and Ron "borrow" the car again to fly to Hogwarts', and end up crash-landing into the very large, very cranky Whomping Willow.
Dobby's warning proves true after an unknown person writes "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the heir beware" in rooster's blood on the wall and students begin turning up petrified. Once thought to be mere legend, the Chamber of Secrets is a hidden citadel built by one of Hogwarts' founders, Salazar Slytherin, who was best known for talking to snakes and arguing that "mudbloods," students from non-magical families (Muggles, as they're known in the wizarding world) should not be accepted into the school. Only the heir of Slytherin, the legend goes, can open the chamber and unleash the dark force within to rid the school of mudbloods. And since Harry possesses the ability to talk to snakes, and since he has the misfortune of discovering a number of the petrified victims, many students believe the heir is him.
If the chaos continues, Hogwarts will have to close. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who happens to come from a non-magical family herself, race to uncover the identity of the true heir and stop him. If you thought fighting a mountain troll was tough... well, you haven't met what's waiting for Harry in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!
Review:
Daniel Radcliffe's Harry is a mixture of wide-eyed curiosity, goodness, courage, loyalty, and dogged determination, more so now that his voice has cracked. Like the Belgian comic hero Tintin, he believes fully in doing what's right and never, ever gives up, no matter what the odds. And also like Tintin, Harry is pretty much invincible. Nothing seems to really phase him, whether it's a shattered arm during the Quidditch match, a nest full of hundreds of man-eating acromantula (giant talking spiders), or a giant serpent chasing after him. Mind, he doesn't do it all by himself. One of the consistent themes of the books is that Harry enjoys plenty of help, in the form of advice, items, or special spells, from his friends, just like in many a video game. In the first movie, he received a new broomstick and an invisibility cloak. In this one, he receives various clues to help solve the mystery, an enchanted sword, and an avian tag team partner. In the third instalment, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, he receives . . . well, as Kipling would say, that is another story.
Rupert Grint's Ron is even more bumbling and goofy now that he's stuck with a broken wand. Indeed, much of the humour in this film derives from his mishaps, such as when he accidentally causes himself to vomit live slugs or when he squeaks "Can we panic yet?" as hordes of ravenous acromantula descend on him and Harry. Emma Watson proves again that she's perfectly cast as Hermione, who's easily smarter and more logical than her friends. It's a pity she doesn't get too much in this film, since she really is one of the stronger role models for young girls I've seen in awhile. And Tom Felton gets to flex his sneer and smarminess even further as Draco Malfoy, Harry's slick-haired nemesis.
In addition, there's Ron's little sister Ginny (Bonnie Wright), who has a crush on Harry, Colin Creevey (Hugh Mitchell), who keeps following Harry around and taking pictures like a typical fanboy, the ghostly Moaning Myrtle (Shirley Henderson) who haunts the first floor girls' washroom and has a voice reminiscent of fingernails grating on a chalkboard, and the mysterious Tom Riddle (Christian Coulson).
The adult actors in Chamber remain relegated to the background (as well they should be in a children's movie), yet manage to achieve a lot with what they have. Richard Harris, who just recently passed away, gives a fine last performance as the wise, grandfatherly old headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) still has that stiff upper lip about her while Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) is as delightfully slimy as ever. And half-giant Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) is still all too fond of dangerous beasts -- to the point where he doesn't think they'd harm anyone. Other returning characters, namely Professor Flitwick (Warwick Davis) and Nearly Headless Nick (John Cleese) basically have cameos. Newcomers include Miriam Margoyles as Herbology Professor Sprout, Kenneth Branagh as foppish Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Gilderoy Lockhart and Jason Issacs as Lucius Malfoy, Draco's evil pop. Branagh seems to have been born to play the role of Lockhart, capturing his flamboyant, over-the-top essence perfectly. Similarly, Issacs is excellent as Lucius, whose maliciousness makes his son appear meek by comparison.
The CGI-rendered Dobby is a perpetually sad little creature who bashes his head against solid objects whenever he reveals something secret. Although he means well, his methods of keeping Harry safe always end up doing the exact opposite. Still, it's hard not to feel sympathy for the little guy, who yearns to be freed from his life of servitude yet at the same time doesn't feel he's worthy of such a reward.
The action sequences in Chamber are a real spectacle. The flight to Hogwarts and the encounter with the Whomping Willow are enough to make one avoid climbing trees. The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin is more intense and in-your-face this time around, especially when Harry and Malfoy chase after the Golden Snitch (catch it and your team wins 150 points) through the rafters of the stands, with a rogue Bludger (enchanted bowling ball that tries to knock players off their broomsticks) in hot pursuit. The final battle between Harry and the basilisk, a fifty-foot long monster snake that can petrify or even kill a person with its glance, is intense enough to put most audience goers on the edge of their seats. Indeed, this is a far more violent, darker film than the first. Younger viewers may well want to see it in large groups or with parents.
But perhaps the most unnerving aspect about this film are the ways in which the wizarding community in general perceives Muggles like you and I. The good ones (Ron and his family) view them as objects of curiosity whereas the bad ones (Salazar Slytherin, Voldemort, and the Malfoys) view them as an inferior race to be subjugated or purged. Such ignorance and arrogance is even more disturbing when one considers that it's really no different from the way various modern nations view one another.
If you caught the first Harry Potter film, you'll remember that poorly rendered mountain troll and centaur. Well, let me assure you that the CGI critters this time around are a blessed improvement. Tiny flying Cornish Pixies who wreak havoc on a classroom, a legion of acromantula ranging from dime-sized to hippo-sized, the Whomping Willow, and the basilisk itself, come off as amusingly or frighteningly realistic. Also some impressive animatronics, including Dumbledore's pet phoenix, Fawkes, the king acromantula, Aragog, and Mandrakes, a type of healing plant that resembles a cross between a mouldy potato and a screaming infant (they're even scarier than they sound).
Only two things about Chamber really bug me. First, in order to get the film under three hours, a number of scenes and characters had to either be merged or left out entirely. While I can understand this decision, I find that it's a little disappointing for those like myself who have read the books and a bit confusing for those who haven't. For example, in the book, Harry and Ron learn that the flying car is actually sentient right before they encounter Aragog, but this scene is left out of the film. Second, the final scene, which does not take place in the book, involves Harry leading everyone in a standing ovation for Hagrid. Although cute, it struck me as both unnecessary and unlikely, especially when Slytherin students are shown applauding for the big oaf.
Overall, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is decidedly superior to its predecessor, which was already a pretty good film. Everything about it feels improved: the acting, the plot, the action sequences, the humour, and the special effects. More importantly, it's a film that audience goers should find enjoyable and fun even if they haven't read the book. It'll be a challenge to top this one. Oh, and if you've got the patience, stick around until the end credits have finished. There's a short but amusing added scene.
Daniel "Suspsy" Suh, drumming his fingers along with the rest of the millions of fans waiting for Book #5.