Harry Potter must unravel the mystery of the Chamber of
​Secrets and stop a vicious monster that's attacking muggle-borns.

FAMILY/FANTASY

Harry Potter and the
​Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Directed by Chris Columbus

Written by Steve Kloves

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson,
Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Felton, Jason Isaacs, Robbie Coltrane, Toby Jones,
​Bonnie Wright, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, David Bradley

Sequel to 2001's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Based on the novel by J.K. Rowling

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Connor Eyzaguirre

August 23, 2015

8/10

This second chapter is just as magical as the first, but just the slightest bit darker. For some reason, this tends to be the one that most critics like the least. I think it adds greatly to the mythology, giving viewers a glimpse at who Voldemort was before he became a dark wizard and introducing a handful of new characters like Kenneth Branagh's wonderfully moronic Gilderoy Lockhart.

The climax in the Chamber of Secrets is one of my favorite moments in the whole franchise, but what makes this film so important is that it was the last one to feel like a kids movie. From here on out, the stakes were higher and the films were drastically darker. The Basilisk is still one of the creepiest creatures the franchise has delivered so far. I especially like how the film sets up larger events down the road, particularly the true power of Tom Riddle's diary.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets represents, to me at least, the death of whimsy in this franchise. From the next film on, this franchise was about good vs. evil and the path to adulthood. This film is the last time we get to see kids be kids, with the three main characters being forced to grow up too fast in order to confront the dark terrors awaiting them. In the end, that makes this film a little bittersweet when you consider what's really at stake.

Caleb Leger

8/10

A sequel that is even more magical than the first film and is little bit darker. This film improves on what made the first film work so well, while also adding to the already rich mythology. The backstory to Voldemort and his transformation to the feared dark wizard was a great touch that, instead of making the villain less scary, made him all the more terrifying.

Kenneth Branagh was a great addition to this installment, creating a character that is both interesting and hilarious. The climax in the Chamber of Secrets was a great finale and one of the more exciting in the series. This was another fun installment in the franchise before they took a darker and more mature turn.