Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2793 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-04-11
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 154 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The world's most famous boy wizard dives straight into a darker and more thrilling magical adventure in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It's practically the same set-up--something evil's afoot at Hogwarts; Harry and his pals must put it right--but fans of the books won't be disappointed. Director Chris Columbus, whose artistic licence is necessarily limited by the demands of adapting JK Rowling's phenomenally popular novel, does a spectacular job rendering Rowling's imaginary world: the production design and costumes are fascinating in their own right; such is the impressive attention to detail.

Daniel Radcliffe gives a more assured performance here as Harry, though he's not quite strong enough to carry the film without the aid of an excellent ensemble cast of experienced adults, notably a twinkly-eyed Kenneth Branagh. Of course, most viewers will already know what's going to happen as far as the story is concerned, so for them the pleasure in watching The Chamber of Secrets lies in the visualisation of Rowling's magical creations and the verve brought to the action sequences. It's fantastic fun for kids and a good excuse to regress back to childhood for the rest of us. --Laura Bushell

On the DVD: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets's first disc offers the film in all its fine widescreen (2.35:1) and surround-sound glory--it's a shame they didn't think of adding a commentary.

The second disc's special features are sparse compared to last year's release, most notably the games, which are simpler and dull in comparison to The Philosopher's Stone. Gilderoy Lockhart's classroom offers nothing magical, and the interviews with teachers and students offer only snippets of the actors' thoughts on their characters. Don't get over excited about the "Build a Scene" feature as, unfortunately, this is not a miracle of modern DVD technology, but a simple featurette. The real gem on the disc is a 16-minute interview with JK Rowling and Steve Kloves about the transfer from book to screen. --Nikki Disney

Special Features
19 additional/extended scenes, including more Dobby mischief, more flying car adventures, a frightening encounter with the Malfoys in Borgin and Burkes and much more!
Crystal-clear, self-guided tours, which for the first time include background characters, let viewers have an up-close experience, allowing them to explore the details of the Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore's office and Diagon Alley - including places never shown in the film such as more Diagon Alley shops, the sitting room in Dumbledore's office and more!
Interviews with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione) and other cast members
An exclusive interview with author J.K. Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves letting us in on how the adventure was brought to the screen
Fun-filled activities such as allowing viewers to escape the Forbidden Forest and sneak into the Chamber of Secrets
Visit Lockhart's class, and get a closer look at his photos and memorabilia through the use of still galleries

2.35:1 Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1

DVD-ROM features:
The One Voice DVD technology will allow users to navigate through the DVD-ROM features and access set top features using only their voices
An animated, interactive Hogwarts timeline provides important dates in Hogwart's history with mini pop-up videos from the Harry Potter films
A slider puzzle challenge featuring motion video
Printable magic trading cards to collect and share with friends
Jigsaw puzzles, matching challenges, downloadable screensavers and much more!

Feature film available in English
Subtitles available in English and Arabic with hearing impaired available in English

Synopsis
Harry returns for his second year at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry along with his best friends Hermione and Ron. He ignores warnings not to go back to Hogwarts by a mysterious house elf named Dobby. Soon into the school year strange things start happening. Students are found in a petrified state, messages written in blood appear on the walls and Harry starts to hear voices in his head. It becomes apparent that someone has opened The Chamber of Secrets... but who is responsible and can the dark forces that lurk there be stopped?

Customer Reviews

another entertaing installent
really good sequel that delivers the goods,its a tad overlong but its very entertaining flick that kids and parents can all enjoy

Magic for all muggles
It's Harry's second year at Hogwarts and Voldermort hasn't given up on trying to kill off our hero, Harry Potter and rise to power again. This year he's enlisting the help of a giant snake which puts a strain on Harry's friendships as he's the only one who can hear what it's about to do next.

This marks the second successful transformation from page to screen for the Harry Potter series. A new adventure, better acting and some sterling performances from some of the best vintage, british acting talents make this another great film for the family friendly shelf.

Despite Warnings, Harry Returns to Hogwarts
All that is keeping Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) going through the summer is the thought of returning to school. Once again, his relatives are treating him poorly. And now that he knows he's a wizard, Hogwarts is the only place he feels at home.

But he almost doesn't make it back. First an elf appears and warns him to stay away. Then the entrance to the train platform is sealed to him.

Things quickly turn serious once he does show up at Hogwarts. Harry keeps hearing voices in the walls that no one else can hear. And then there is the warning written on the wall in blood. What is the chamber of secrets? Why can only Harry hear the voices? Are the students safe?

As with the first movie, this one brings Harry's world to life beautifully. And once again, the movie sticks very closely to the book. Since I liked this book better then the first one, I like this movie better, too. The cast from the first movie returns and hits all the right notes with their characters. Joining the cast this time is Kenneth Branagh as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and he's a riot in the comic relief role. Unfortunately, this is Richard Harris' last performance as Dumbledore. I loved his grandfatherly take on the character.

Over the course of this movie, Harry faces a family of giant spiders and a giant serpent. These scenes are a little scary and could frighten small children. If your kids scare easily, you might want to view the film first.

Fans of the books will be delighted with this film. It perfectly captures the book on which it is based.