Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is a successful sequel, although the film's length is on the excessive side, not least for Harry's younger fans. On the other hand, it is hard to see what more could have been left out, when so many quirky things from the excellent novel are already missing.

You may think what you like about the realisation of the house-elf Dobby, but he is really well animated. Dobby turns up to warn Harry Potter that he is in great danger if he returns to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the new school year. Dobby is so convinced of this danger that he is prepared to do just about anything to make Harry stay at home.

Despite all Dobby's tricks, Harry actually manages to make it in time for the start of term, but he soon discovers that the elf's warnings are far from made up. Once again Harry and his loyal companions Hermione and Ron must take up the fight against the unknown adversary.

The film's characters are mostly returning from the first instalment, but in a priceless supporting role we see Kenneth Branagh as the vain Professor Gilderoy Lockhart, who goes by the rather more telling Danish name Glitterik Smørhår. At the other end of the spectrum we find the charismatic Jason Isaacs as Draco's father, the ice-cold Lucius Malfoy. We have probably not seen the last of him.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is rather darker than the first adaptation, and this time round it is hinted that even Harry has a dark side. The series' fine moral, however, is that it is not about what abilities you have, but what you use them for. Admittedly the film is in places so grim and frightening that it is not really very child-friendly, but for somewhat older children and childlike adults it is a magical, funny and constantly exciting experience.