“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.” – Dumbledore
Number of Times Seen – 3 (Nov 2002, 25 May 2003 and 12 Apr 2015)
Brief Synopsis – Upon returning to Hogwarts for his second year, Harry and his friends must deal with strange voices and a secret mystery that is causing students to become petrified.
My Take on it – Once again we are properly drawn into the extraordinary world of wizards and magic.
This movie despite being based on one of the shortest books, is actually the longest of the whole series and it is a very good adaptation of the source material for that reason alone.
Unfortunately tho, once again, this movie doesn’t give off the energy and thrills of some of the later entries and by comparison, we have yet another tale seemingly geared more towards children than to the world at large.
The character of Gilderoy Lockhart, similar to his predecessor in the previous movie (Professor Quirrell) feels much more like a joke than a serious teacher of the Dark Arts which takes away from part of this movie’s appeal.
One of my favorite HP characters is Dobby and despite appearing in all the book from this one onward, due to time constraints and other reasons, he only appears in this movie and in #7 which is such a pity because his presence is always a pleasure and refreshing in the books.
I like how Tom Riddle is introduced to us in the movie and it adds an ominous feeling that more is to come from him.
Bottom Line – Another interesting chapter in the HP series, but once again feels too tame while the story is still waiting to “break out” of the juvenile mold that the stories started off in. Gets a bit darker, but still doesn’t reach it’s potential. Lockhart, like his predecessor Quirrell, feels more like comic relief than a way to move the story (and the characters studies) forward. Love how Dobby is used here. Unfortunately, he only reappears once more in #7 instead of in each subsequent story like in the novels. Recommended!
MovieRob’s Favorite Trivia – Many people think that Professor Gilderoy Lockhart is a character based on JK Rowling’s ex-husband, but she has said on her official website that Lockhart is based in an egocentric person that she really dislikes, but he is not her ex-husband. (From IMDB)
Rating – Globe Worthy
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MovieRob 
If I sit and watch these as individual films, I often find myself wondering how they attained their high status. I don’t think there’s a classic piece of of cinema in the entire series. They are very good, confidently made films with a stunning cast, but I think that covers a multitude of sins in the quality of the storytelling. It often feels like we’re treading water for the sake of it. Just my view. Good review.
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Tnx Gareth. Always appreciate your thoughts. Have you read the books?
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I haven’t. Perhaps that changes your view on the films?
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Slightly 😉
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Great review! This movie is my least favorite in the HP franchise. Its more the fact that although there are some really nice characters and Tom Riddle has a great introduction and I adore Dobby and flying cars and all that awesomeness, its not quite as engaging for me, I guess.
It could also be the fact that when I was in at camp in Taiwan for like a month, it was playing every night. Now, I fear watching it again because its still engraved in my mind. Maybe…haha!
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I completely understand you Kim. Thankfully the franchise got better as it moved along.
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