Of course, I bought tickets two weeks ahead of time for 'The Chamber of Secrets'. It was my 2nd least favorite of the books, ('Prisoner of Azkaban' is my fav, 'Sorcerer's Stone' was my least favorite - and realize that I loved it when I first read it, so this is how much I enjoy the 'Harry Potter' series!), and I really detested Gilderoy Lockhart from the moment he was mentioned in the book. I also distrusted Tom Riddle from the second he 'wrote' back to Harry in his diary. I literally thought the exact words that Mrs. Weasley said to Ginny in the end of the book, "Don't trust something if you can't see where it keeps its brain!" I felt sorry for Dobby, hated Lucious Malfoy, loved Arthur and Molly Weasley, and felt sorry for Moaning Myrtle even though you do have to laugh at her sometimes!

It upset me that so much of the book was left out, including, yet again, my favorite line. And, again, it was Ron's line. "Can you believe the luck? Of all the trees we had to hit, we get the one that hits back!" I believe that the Harry Potter movies have been cursed to never have my favorite line quoted. "The Prisoner of Azkaban", which was my favorite book, has Ron saying to Peter Pettigrew, "I let you sleep in my bed!", which is my favorite line. Yes, I am a Ron fan. Bigger Ron fan than Harry. And, I advocate a romance between Ron and Hermione. He noticed it in 'Prisoner...', and have been wanting it since. Which is why I liked the :cough: *hugging scene* :cough: at the end!
Anyway, back to the movie. I really liked it better than the first. It seemed more sure of itself. They did leave a lot out though, which disappointed me. Um, readers, does anyone remember the name Penelope Clearwater? Peeves? Fred and George? Milicent Bulstrode? Where were they, and/or where were their lines? Hmmm??? Oh well.

Daniel Radcliffe still CAN'T ACT!!! What is up with that? Even thought Draco was in it more, it didn't help, as Tom Felton can't act either. I watched the movie purely out of enjoying Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and Lucius walk around exuding their brilliantly acted characters! For eveyone who is complaining about Ron's squeaky voice and whining, this is what I have to say to you: He was going through puberty, so of COURSE his voice is going to be changing, and, if I do say so myself, and you know what, I will: he used his changing voice perfectly! He was a riot to watch! True acting/comedic talent, that boy has! As for the whining, he was only whining when they were around the spiders, because Ron is to spiders, as Indiana Jones is to snakes. Get it? Good. Give the boy a frigin' break. If you were scared to death of something, and you suddenly had about a thousand of that particular thing coming at you with the intention of killing you, YOU WOULD BE FREAKIN OUT ALSO!!! Okay, enough of that-oh, one more thing quickly. I read somewhere that Ron's build/height was overpowering Harry and Hermione. Well, um, have you READ the books? Rowling says it every time you see Ron in the beginning of the book, and other characters comment on it: Ron is really tall. If anything, I was worried he wouldn't grow in "Sorcerer's Stone" or at the beginning of "Chamber of Secrets". Glad he is. Whew. Okay, done sticking up for Ron. Just remember that if you say anything bad about Rupert, you will read something from me about it. :) Yikes, now I sound Godfatherish. :shudder: Right, yeah, Hermione. She was really good. I still think she is too pretty, but, that's not Emma's fault! She was in it too little, but that is Rowling's fault for writing her that way. Believe me, she'll get a ton in "Prisoner..." That, is her and Ron's real time to shine! Anyway, I really enjoyed watching the adults too. There wasn't enough of Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid, Mr. & Mrs. Weasley, or Lockhart, but they were brilliant with what they had! I saw a lot more magic in this one than in the last. Did anyone else notice that? Oooh, and I LOVED hearing Parseltongue! That was awesome! Well, before Epinions kicks me off for writing too much, I would just like to say that this movie is definitely worth seeing, and it definitely better than the first!

Okay, I really got carried away right there and went off because I was getting upset w/bad reviews for Rupert. Anyway, here is what I thought of the movie:

It starts out w/Harry at Privet Drive, upset because he thinks he's being ignored by his friends, only to get in trouble w/the Dursley's because of Dobby, the House Elf. Dobby was very cute, and I really liked when Harry tried to stop the pudding from falling on the Dursley's guest! Then, Ron, Fred, & George come and rescue Harry in the Ford Anglia. They bring him back to the Burrow, which is totally awesome! I want to live in a house like that! There is a line in the book, that describes the way Mrs. Weasley looks like a sabre tooth tiger in that scene, and she did! I did get the feeling that everyone felt a lot more comfortable in this movie. They had settled into their roles, and created a smooth atmosphere to watch.

They all use floo powder to go to Diagon Alley, and Harry accidentally goes to Knockturn Alley. He ends up meeting Hagrid and Hermione, and they all go to Flourish & Blotts, where we meet the elusive Gilderoy Lockhart. I still think that Cary Elwes (Wesley from Princess Bride) should have been Lockhart, but Kenneth Branagh turned in an admirable performance! He reminded me a lot of Eddie Izzard, though. The Weasley's have a run-in w/the Malfoy family. I really enjoyed watching this scene, as you could see the hatred & animosity between them. I would have liked to see them fight though, like they did in the book!

Later, Ron & Harry find they can't get onto the platform, and drive the car to school, which makes for a fun adventure, especially when you add in the Whomping Willow! I have to say that this movie definitely did a better job with special affects, and the actors seemed to have an easier time acting with the effects. Ron gets a hilarious howler from his mother, and the 2nd years repot Mandrakes, which, I must say, where definitely ugly and had loud cries!

Throughout the rest of the movie, we watch as people are petrified, Harry writes in Tom Riddles diary, Hermione makes polyjuice potion in Moaning Myrtle's toilet, Draco is honest & mean to his own 'best friends', Harry hears snakes & speaks parseltongue, & we also see a cool wizards duel! They were able to pretty much establish a friendship between Harry and Ginny, and they showed the nervousness between Ron and Hermione when it comes to their relationship.

I didn't think Chris Columbus did a very good job on the 1st, but he got a lot better on the 2nd. I am a little sad we won't get to see how well he could have done on the 3rd, but I heard that the new director is incredible. I'm not sure how to spell his name, so I won't, but I know he directed 'Little Princess' (Cute movie) & Y Tu Mama Tambien (NC-17 movie about teens on a road trip)(If my 3 years of Spanish are correct, the title means: And Your Mother As well, but I'm not too sure about Tambien). I've read that a lot of people are joking that 'Prisoner of Azkaban' will be rated 'R'!

Recommended: Yes