Nov 15, 2002 By Lou Gaul Calkins Media Film Critic 3 min read

That fact shouldn’t prevent the PG-rated picture’s core audience of children between the ages of 7 and 11 from being wild about “Harry.” Adult viewers, however, might not have as much patience with “Chamber of Secrets,” which director Chris Columbus allows to run an excessive 161 minutes. That’s at least 20 minutes too long considering the simple story that unfolds.

Columbus must be credited with providing some absolutely stunning special effects, including a giant snarling snake with fangs the size of Mini-Me and a flying car taking so many sharp turns that the spirit of Steve McQueen seems to be behind the wheel, and capturing some of the true magic of Rowling’s work. That uplifting tone comes from the author’s themes about courage in the face of dangers, loyalty to friends and commitment to ideals.

As the story opens, Harry (13-year-old Daniel Radcliffe) is returning for his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry along with his loyal friends Ron Weasley (14-year-old Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (13-year-old Emma Watson). Harry’s archenemy Draco Malfoy (14-year-old Tom Felton), causes some problems, especially with his callous remarks about the poor and less fortunate. There’s some footage of a Quidditch match (played on flying broomsticks and resembling soccer), but something much more sinister occupies the “Chamber of Secrets.”

Death, darkness and evil wait in the chamber, and – to no one’s surprise – Harry must face a highly risky challenge or perhaps doom Hogwarts and its students to a grim fate.

The adult characters – including the late Richard Harris, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane and Maggie Smith as Professor Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Hagrid and Professor McGonagall, respectively – have little to do other than sprinkle some words of wisdom. Talented British actor Kenneth Branagh (“Hamlet”) is introduced as Gilderoy Lockhart, a vain master of the dark arts, but he also remains a peripheral character, as does Jason Isaacs (“The Patriot”) as Draco’s nefarious father (though he will become much more sinister in the next “Potter” installment).

Radcliffe plays Potter as a young Sherlock Holmes and Indiana Jones. The boy transforms into a noble character smart enough to use his brain to save those most important to him and brave enough to pick up a weapon when challenged by dark forces that might cause lesser people to run for cover instead of fighting for what’s right.

Postscript: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” was published in 1998 and has sold more than 42 million copies worldwide, including 17 million in the United States and Canada. After completing “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and “The Chamber of Secrets,” Chris Columbus has decided against directing the next installment, “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” which will be released in the summer of 2004. Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron, whose credits range from the family-friendly favorite “A Little Princess” to the adult art-house hit “Y Tu Mama Tambien,” will bring “Azkaban” to the screen.

FILM REVIEW

“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”

Grade: B

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Kenneth Branagh, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Jason Isaacs, Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith; screenplay by Steve Kloves, based on the novel by J.K. Rowling; produced by David Heyman; directed by Chris Columbus.

Running Time: 161 minutes.

Parental Guide: PG rating (very intense moments for younger children, creature violence, mild language).