 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
- Review Date: July 29, 2003
- PG
- Genre: Fantasy
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Action- and creature-packed Potter sequel.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie is scarier than the first in the series and characters spend a lot of time in extreme peril. There are frightening creatures, including lots of big spiders and an enormous snake that can kill anyone who looks in its eyes. Though it appears that some characters have been hurt or killed, all the good guys are ultimately fine. Children who are not familiar with the story, however, may be upset. There are also some gross moments when Ron's spell backfires and he spits up slugs, and when another misapplied spell leaves Harry without any bones in his forearm. Friendship, love, bravery, and loyalty are always major themes in the series. So is the idea of making good choices.
What's the story?
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS is more pure magic for young Potter fans who like adventure over the darker themes in the series. Flying cars, giant spiders and snakes, and faster and larger-than-life Quiddich matches keep the story moving as Harry and friends soar through their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As this episode begins, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) gets a visit at the Dursley's from an odd little house elf named Dobby, who warns him that someone is trying to harm him. After a hair-raising trip with Ron (Rupert Grint), Harry arrives at Hogwarts where there are new classes, new challenges, and a somewhat suspicious, extremely narcissistic new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher named Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh). Harry's nemesis, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), is now his opponent on the Quidditch field. Harry is the only one who can hear a strange voice echoing through the halls. And he is in the wrong place at the wrong time when some very bad and scary things happen. It seems that there is a Chamber of Secrets that has not been opened for 50 years. Somewhere in that chamber is a dangerous creature just waiting for the right person to let it out. Many people suspect that Harry is that person, and he wonders if they are right. The two adults Harry trusts most, Hagrid and Dumbledore, are removed from the school, and if someone doesn't stop the creature, Hogwarts may be closed for good. As always, it will take Hermione (Emma Watson)'s research skills, Ron's courage, and Harry's heart to save the day.
Is it any good?
Those who are looking for a meticulous realization of a beloved book and those who come to the theater knowing only the first movie -- or even with no knowledge of Harry Potter at all -- will find this chapter a thrilling, eye-filling, and an utterly satisfying experience. There is a wealth of detail and delight to entrance viewers so much that they will leave wanting more, even after a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Every frame is filled with wonder, especially Diagon Alley and the moving photos and portraits.
The child actors are growing up and they seem more comfortable in their roles here, bringing more depth and subtlety to their acting, and wildly funny as the new Hogwarts professor. And there are some magnificent cast additions, especially Jason Isaacs, coolly cruel as Lucius Malfoy, father of Harry's foe Draco.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about year two at Hogwarts and what Harry learns about himself. What traits are helping him become a hero figure? Why must he face is enemy alone? What do we find out about Tom Riddle and his diary later in the series that make them so important?
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Kid, 8 years old
May 22, 2011
AGE
Sarriest PG rated movie.But good movie,good movie.
Realey scary snake scene.Harry stabs it around the nose haveing blood on the sword. There are some swears like 'bloddy hell' and 'ass' and there are 2 messages writen in blood i recomend this for ages 9 & up i home you like my review see ya! radgabe2003
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Kid, 12 years old
April 3, 2011
AGE
Still great for all ages
I never stop loving harry potter!
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AGE
Good but scary
Great! I loved it, but can be scary at times, mostly for younger kids
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AGE
the spiders and serpent can be a little scary, but yet another great harry potter movie
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Kid, 10 years old
January 3, 2010
AGE
LOVE IT
I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch it all the time. Ron has very funny faces. I'm reading the 3 book still. I think the end is kinda like Sleeping beauty. They talk a lot about Lord Voldemort.
And it is a little bit scary. For young kids.
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AGE
Violent but enjoyable....gives positive messages
Excellent action-packed sequel to the first movie......positive messages......Harry shows a lot of bravery while fighting the Basilisk.....violent but enjoyable.
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Kid, 10 years old
March 16, 2011
AGE
2 chaber of secrets
this is so good.Harry plays so good in is part. i love Harry POTTER.RON IS SCARED OF SPIDERS.
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Kid, 10 years old
July 9, 2011
AGE
HARRY POTTER ROCKS AND BEST MOVIE EVER
HARRY POTTER ROCK NOT ONE MOVIE BAD IM SEEING THE LAST ONE NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
also pretty horrid as #1 i just don't like #1,#2 and #4
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AGE
More faithful (and dull) than the first one.
My rating: PG for fantasy action, some creature violence and scary images.
Positive Messages & Role Models: 3.5/5 - Says to stay close to your friends.
Violence: 3/5 - More intense than the first. A basilisk fight at the end, with bleeding. Harry loses all his bones in one scene, so his arm flops around disgustingly. A snake comes out of a wand, but does not hurt anyone. People are paralyzed, and there is bloody writing on a wall.
Sex: 0/5 - None.
Language: 1/5 - The usual British slang: "bloody", etc.
Consumerism: 5/5 - It's a big series!
Drugs & Drinking: 0/5 - None.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, book characters, friendship, great boy role models, great girl role models, monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| Studio: | Warner Bros. |
| Director: | Chris Columbus |
| Cast: | Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 161 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | November 15, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | April 11, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | scary moments, some creature violence and mild language |
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