Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/

Anyone who read yesterday's review for Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone will know that I intend to watch all of the Harry Potter movies on the big screen in the run up to the release of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, and that means you lucky people will be treated to a review of every film too.

Today's installment is the second film in the franchise, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets. When this was released, way back in 2002, I was still working for UCI Cinemas in Preston. Having watched the first film I was no longer curious about Mr Potter, I simply wanted to know, like everyone else did, what happened next.

In this film, young Harry is about to go back to school after spending the summer with his adoptive family, the horrid Dursley's. During an important dinner hosted by Harry's uncle, a house elf named Dobby appears in Harry's room and tells Harry he must not go back to Hogwarts as it is not safe for him. Ignoring Dobby's warnings, Harry heads back to school, despite many signs that he should stay away. Once back at Hogwarts there is a mystery afoot involving the Chamber Of Secrets of the films title. Harry must discover who is behind the re-opening of the chamber in order to stop his classmates from losing their lives to the monster within it's walls.

For whatever reason I don't think Chamber Of Secrets works as well as Philosopher's Stone. I know that the first two movies are considered the least favourite among Potter fans as they were aimed at a younger audience than the later films. But in some respects I disagree with this as I love Philosopher's Stone. I just feel that Chamber Of Secrets, ironic as this may be, lacks some of the magic that makes Philosopher's Stone so charming.

I'm not saying I dislike Chamber Of Secrets or that it's a bad film, it's just not as good as Philosopher's Stone. Having said that, for someone like me, it is a damn sight scarier! I am of course talking about the scene with Aragog and his family of giant spiders. Anyone who knows me will know that I struggle with regular sized spiders at the best of times, but hundreds of giant ones is really not a fun time for me. Watching this scene on a big screen again was not something I looked forward to or enjoyed. So I'm afraid Chamber Of Secrets loses points for  inflicting that on me. I'm with Ron all the way when he says "why must it always be spiders, why can't it be follow the butterflies?"

Another thing that didn't really work for me first time around was Dobby. I know I'm going to enrage Potter fans around the globe with this one, but before you lynch me, hear me out. I said yesterday that I was in the process of reading the books and Chamber Of Secrets is one that I have already read. And I like book Dobby, but I found film Dobby too annoying. And as he's quite a big part of the film, it just lessened the enjoyment for me. Along with the giant spiders. I already mentioned that I don't like spiders, right?

I did think that Kenneth Branagh was a nice addition to the cast as the cheesy Professor Lockhart, as his character brought in some much needed light to what otherwise would have been quite a dark subject matter for a kids film. This film also sees the introduction of Mark Williams as Arthur Weasley, Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy and Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle. All perfectly cast in their respective roles. And I must add that one of my favourite lines in the film comes from Myrtle "I was just sitting in the U bend thinking about death when suddenly a book fell through my HEAD!" Never fails to make me smile.

So taking all that into account I must conclude that while Chamber Of Secrets moves the story arc forward at a steady pace, it's a small step backward in terms of magic and charm. 7 out of 10. 

Viewing Date - 9th July 2011

UK Release Date - 15th November 2002

Cast Overview:

Daniel Radcliffe ~ Harry Potter

Rupert Grint ~ Ron Weasley

Emma Watson ~ Hermione Granger

Matthew Lewis ~ Neville Longbottom

Tom Felton ~ Draco Malfoy

Devon Murray ~ Seamus Finnigan

Sean Biggerstaff ~ Oliver Wood

James Phelps ~ Fred Weasley

Oliver Phelps ~ George Weasley

Chris Rankin ~ Percy Weasley

Bonnie Wright ~ Ginny Weasley

Julie Walters ~ Molly Weasley

Mark Williams ~ Arthur Weasley

Jason Isaacs ~ Lucius Malfoy

Fiona Shaw ~ Aunt Petunia Dursley

Richard Griffiths ~ Uncle Vernon Dursley

Harry Melling ~ Dudley Dursley

Robbie Coltrane ~ Rubeus Hagrid

Richard Harris ~ Professor Albus Dumbledore

Maggie Smith ~ Professor Minerva McGonagall

Alan Rickman ~ Professor Severus Snape

Kenneth Branagh ~ Professor Gilderoy Lockhart 

Miriam Margolyes ~ Professor Pomona Sprout

Shirley Henderson ~ Moaning Myrtl

Christian Coulson ~ Tom Marvolo Riddle

David Bradley ~ Argus Filch

John Cleese ~ Nearly Headless Nick

Director ~ Chris Columbus

Writer(s) ~ J.K. Rowling (Novel) and Steve Kloves (Screenplay)

Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/

Well this is a turn up for the books that's for sure. I never expected I'd be reviewing the past Harry Potter films. But the clause in my contract with myself stated that I was going to review every film I saw at the cinema this year. And as I plan to watch all of the Harry Potter movies on the big screen in the run up to the release of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2, that means I'll be reviewing them all too.

I came into the Harry Potter franchise in an unusual way. The first two films were released when I worked for UCI Cinemas in Preston and had I not worked there, I doubt I would have seen them. I knew of the books but hadn't read them (and had no interest in doing so) and if I'm honest, I simply watched the first film out of curiosity. You see I'd seen the trailer playing in the lobby for months, endured the queues of people lining up to see it, sold Bertie Botts Beans and Chocolate Frogs to children in robes and seated endless families who couldn't wait to enter the world of Harry Potter. And it got to the point when I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

So I went along one day when I'd finished my shift, crept into the screen and sat in one of the empty seats at the back. And I found myself being pulled into his magical world of Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, Muggles, Enchanted Forests, Spells and Potions. Although I hadn't read the books, it was all very easy to grasp and get on board with.

Baby Harry Potter is orphaned when his parents - a witch and wizard - were killed trying to protect him. Harry is entrusted to his none magical aunt and uncle and grows up unaware of the knowledge of the wizarding world from which he comes, and unaware of the real reason for the death of his parents. When he turns 11, Harry is accepted into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The same school his parents also studied at. It is here he discovers lots about the family he never knew, meets new friends and has his first adventure.

I remember watching the first movie and thinking, that was alright but I still don't really get what all the fuss is about. Since then I have watched every Harry Potter movie at the cinema, I own all of them on DVD and am in the process of reading the books. I also recently attended the World Premiere of the last movie Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2. I'm not claiming to be the biggest Harry Potter fan in the world, but I can now say that I get it. 

Watching the first film again, almost 10 years since I last saw it at a cinema, I got really teary at several points. It's so bittersweet, seeing the children all small and cute, starting their adventures, but also knowing that it will all soon come to an end. It's been a big part of movie goers lives, we know and love these characters so much that the thought of the films ending is really quite upsetting. 

I guess that quite clearly states how I feel about the film doesn't it? Sure I'll admit that the acting from the kids isn't great, but no-one expected them to be Oscar winners. But what I will say is that they all have their characters pegged completely. Radcliffe is adorable as the boy who lived, Grint plays mostly for laughs but it works brilliantly for his character and Watson plays stuffy Hermione to a T. The film is atmospheric with astonishing attention to detail and sets everything up perfectly (even if you've not read the books). 

The beginning of a beautiful friendship, not only between the characters but between us and them too. 8 out of 10. 

Viewing Date - 8th July 2011

UK Release Date - 16th November 2001

Cast Overview:

Daniel Radcliffe ~ Harry Potter

Rupert Grint ~ Ron Weasley

Emma Watson ~ Hermione Granger

Matthew Lewis ~ Neville Longbottom

Tom Felton ~ Draco Malfoy

Devon Murray ~ Seamus Finnigan

Sean Biggerstaff ~ Oliver Wood

James Phelps ~ Fred Weasley

Oliver Phelps ~ George Weasley

Chris Rankin ~ Percy Weasley

Bonnie Wright ~ Ginny Weasley

Julie Walters ~ Molly Weasley

Fiona Shaw ~ Aunt Petunia Dursley

Richard Griffiths ~ Uncle Vernon Dursley

Harry Melling ~ Dudley Dursley

Robbie Coltrane ~ Rubeus Hagrid

Richard Harris ~ Professor Albus Dumbledore

Maggie Smith ~ Professor Minerva McGonagall

Ian Hart ~ Professor Quirinus Quirrell

Alan Rickman ~ Professor Severus Snape

Warwick Davis ~ Goblin Bank Teller/Professor Flitwick

Zoe Wanamaker ~ Madame Hooch

David Bradley ~ Argus Filch

John Hurt ~ Mr Ollivander

John Cleese ~ Nearly Headless Nick

Director ~ Chris Columbus

Writer(s) ~ J.K. Rowling (Novel) and Steve Kloves (Screenplay)

Labyrinth

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091369/

Anyone who has been reading my reviews or personal blogs for a while now, will know that I went to a screening of The Princess Bride at the Prince Charles Cinema in London back in February.

On that day, the PCC were also showing Labyrinth as part of a double bill with The Princess Bride, but Labyrinth had already sold out when I found out about the screening. 

As Labyrinth is one of my favourite childhood movies, and as I had never seen it at the cinema, I had been keeping an eye on the PCC in case they showed it again. Of course, a trek to London to see a film I've seen countless times at home is a little extreme, but not if you already happen to be in London, as I was on the 4th July. Which was the date my waiting and hoping that the PCC would show Labyrinth again, paid off.

For anyone who is not familiar with this childrens classic, it's a tale of goblins, life sized mazes, forging friendships and David Bowie!!! The story is told through the eyes of Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), who has yet again been made to stay home and look after her baby brother Toby, rather than being allowed to go out and indulge in her love of fairy tales. Thinking how unfair this is, Sarah inadvertently requests that the Goblin King (David Bowie) takes her brother away. As Sarah didn't really believe the Goblin King was real, and didn't expect her brother to be taken, she undertakes a journey to solve the labyrinth that surrounds the Goblin King's castle and save her baby brother from becoming a goblin...forever.

I know everyone's opinion will differ on this film but to me it's a classic in every possible way. I hate musicals but I love the songs in Labyrinth (and not just because I'm an old school Bowie fan). I also love the goblins, who were brought to life by the brilliant Jim Henson, the man behind The Muppets, Fraggle Rock and The Dark Crystal and who worked on Sesame Street. It's thanks to him that the goblins in this movie are so lifelike, which enables them to become great friends with Sarah, and in turn the audience, as we fall in love with their quirks, Hoggle's cowardice, Ludo's big heart and Sir Didymus's bravery. 

Yes I will admit that Sarah is whiney and spoilt but who isn't at her age? It just makes her character all the more realistic. And the casting of David Bowie as Jareth, the Goblin King, was a stroke of genius. He makes what could have easily been a creepy character so charismatic. I would defy any other actor to turn this character around - he turns babies into goblins and asks young girls to love him while saying he will be their slave, not really the norm for a kids film!

If you've never seen Labyrinth, where have you been for the last 25 years?! It's a classic in every sense of the word and a must see for adults and children alike. 10 out of 10.

NB - I love that the trailer says that the film has 'the excitement of David Bowie'!

Viewing Date - 4th July 2011

Original UK Release Date - 28th November 1986 (I was 5)

Cast Overview:

David Bowie ~ Jareth

Jennifer Connelly ~ Sarah

Toby Froud ~ Toby

Shelley Thompson ~ Sarah's Stepmother

Christopher Malcolm ~ Sarah's Father

Director ~ Jim Henson

Writer(s) ~ Jim Henson (Story), Dennis Lee (Story) and Terry Jones (Screenplay)