Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Review

When introducing the Harry Potter movies to one of my cousins for the first time a couple years ago, he told me that this was the movie that really got him excited to see what happens next in the franchise. The first film was truly a magnificent movie, but it is safe to say that the majority of the movie was focused on introducing the Wizarding world to us and to Harry Potter. Now that the world building foundations have been set (almost perfectly I might add), it's time to push the story forward, introduce new characters and have our characters face new challenges. I know that to many people, this is their least favourite in the series, but I have to be honest with you. This was my favourite Harry Potter movie back then, and I think it's safe to say that it is my favourite Harry Potter film now. It's between this, and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Much like James Bond where I can't decide between Casino Royale and Skyfall, it changes on the day you ask me. But I digress. From the moment this film starts, you can tell that it is going to be noticeably darker. When Dobby warns Harry of immediate danger, when we meet Lucius Malfoy and how sinister he is (great performance by Jason Isaacs by the way), missing the train to Hogwarts and almost getting killed multiple times on the way to school, and one of my favourite scenes in any Harry Potter movie, the scene where Professor McGonagall explains to the class about the Chamber of Secrets. The performance of Dame Maggie Smith and mixed in the music of John Williams, it's very unsettling, but so well done. It perfectly creates this sense of doom that surrounds our characters and Hogwarts itself. In the first movie, the main plot was about a mass murderer trying to come back to life. Basic bad guy wanting revenge for good guy. In this movie, not only is that present, but it's also the by-product of seducing a girl to unleash a monster who causes instant death to anyone who looks into its eyes to cleanse the school of anyone who isn't of pure wizard descent. Now that is what I call a step up in terms of stakes from the first movie. I remember being scared of this movie when I was a kid, but yet I was still so drawn to this movie. Looking back as an adult, I can't help but draw comparisons to Hitler and the Nazi regime and their ethnic cleansing tactics. Pretty intense for a movie for children. However, with the same group of kids back who are still one of the best group of heroes in cinematic history (next to Han, Luke and Leia of course), a story that is dark and incredibly interesting and probably my favourite ending to a movie ever. No joke, I cry every time. Even a couple days ago watching this movie for the ... 15th time? ... I still can't help myself. Bringing the same amount of magic from the Philosopher's Stone and adding on-top it in every conceivable way, I love this movie.