Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film: 161 Minutes (Extended: 174 Minutes)

Rated: PG

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy

Director: Chris Columbus

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman, Tom Felton.

IMDB Rank: 7.4/10

Part 1 Time: 93 Minutes (Extended: 101 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  68 Minutes (Extended: 73 Minutes)

Where does the first part end? Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) returns to the present day following his conversation with Tom Riddle through a dairy.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Whoa!” Harry Potter shouts as he returns with new information about the Chamber of Secrets and a possible suspect.

First line of dialogue on the second part:

Theatrical Edition: “It was Hagrid, Hagrid opened the Chamber of Secrets 50 years ago” Harry Potter states to Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) in the Hogwarts courtyard the following morning.

Extended Edition: “Ron, Ron, wake up!” Harry wakes up Ron in the Gryffindor dormitory following his realization about the Chamber of Secrets.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, from what has been shown by Tom Riddle, the past clearly shows that Hagrid is a suspect in opening the Chamber of Secrets 50 years prior and was reprimanded. Does this still make Hagrid a possible suspect for current events? Also what is the true identity and motives of Tom Riddle?

Which part is better? This is the second feature film in the Harry Potter franchise and as such explores plots that have not fully brought about the true intentions of the main antagonist (Voldemort). Part two is given the edge over part one, as we are able to see the true identity of Tom Riddle and the reasoning of opening the Chamber of Secrets.

Academy Awards: None