Directed by: Chris Columbus

Produced by: David Heyman

If you’re on the lookout for family fun, here’s a great way to spend a few hours with your kids. Check out the latest Harry Potter movie, and lose yourselves in the wonderful world of magic! 

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is back again after spending a gloomy summer with his nasty and sadistic aunt, uncle and cousin. He is ready and raring to begin his second year of study at Hogwarts, the school of witchcraft and wizardry, despite being warned by Dobby, the house elf, that he would be in grave danger if he returned to school. Sure enough, before long, Professor Dumbledore exclaims. “The Chamber of Secrets has opened!” and students who belong to Muggle (human) or half-muggle families, start getting turned into stone. Harry is particularly worried as Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), has Muggle parents, and is in grave danger. 

Presuming that everybody is familiar with the characters and background, director Chris Columbus plunges straight into the heart of the plot, without wasting time on reintroductions. Then of course there is a slight romantic angle introduced, when Ron Weasley’s (Rupert Grint) sister develops a crush on Harry.

Though this movie is a sequel, it is as good as, if not better than, the first Harry Potter release. We get to see know Ron better as we are taken to his home, and we are also taken for an even more in-depth tour of Hogwarts. The actors have matured since their last film, as have their acting skills. The special effects have improved, and the Quidditch game sequences, which looked comparatively tamer in The Sorcerer’s Stone, are consequently more realistic. Dobby, completely computer generated, is lovable and wonderful. The plot is more sinister, the bad guys are more evil and the introduction of new characters such as Dobby and Prof. Lockhart keep your and your children’s eyes glued to the screen. If you are a fan of the book, you will love the way director Chris Columbus has managed to portray the very essence of the book on screen. This movie has its funny moments, and a few scarier sequences than the last Harry Potter release. The giant spiders and snake can be rather terrifying for adults as well, leave alone little kids! In addition, Moaning Myrtle, the ghost in the bathroom, is rather scary in appearance and may disturb very young children. The movie may thus not be suitable for children under the age of 6.

All in all, this movie is thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable, and definitely one of the best family films this year. The only problem is, the sequel is going to take another couple of years, and it’s going to be a long wait!