Hey folks, Harry here with a reaction from a young viewer of HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS in reaction to the review two below! What I think is interesting about these three reviews is this. Both positives tend to like things differently, and dislike different things. However the negative hates the things they love and loves the things they hate. Mr Contrary? Possibly. There's always a few out there, but it seems most are being enchanted by the film!
heya Harry, I live in England and was lucky ebough to be invited to the Harry Potter Premiere last Sunday (My Parents Work In Tv And Film) and I can't tell you how wrong that negative review of the film posted on the website was.
The film is magnificent. Whilst not being epic like Lord Of The Rings, the film never the less is a fun, cool, magical adventure that will no doubt be cherished in the hearts of youngsters and adults alike (very much like the books). I am 17 years old and a huge fan of the books, and, I must say, a little dissapointed with the first film. Although I was swept away by the sheer coolness and magic of it, the acting of harry and the rest of the kids pulled me back. But hey, they were just little kids then, so slightly below average acting was inevitable. But guys, in this film, the kids are brilliant.
Harry's voice haveing dropped gives a fantastic edge to him-it was easier to relate to him this time round. Ron is exellent, as he was in the first, and for those doubting Emma Watson's talent (as i was) she gives in a much more confident, solid and very, very good performance as Hermione. Jason Issacs is probably the best cast role in film history, (or one of them). his portrayal of Lucious Malfoy is phenominal...he is evil right down to the core, i had a lump in my throat as i sat there watching him...wow-fucking ace. Brannagh was hilarious, smug, arrogant and a complete coward...perfect. all the rest of the cast are wonderful, (i would get into more detail but i want to get onto other things).
The special effects. in the first one they were a mixed bag. the troll did'nt look too good inh my opinion, and the quidditch was to bright. but i am one of those people that don't hate the use of special fx. if they are needed to tell a story, use em. but, the special fx in this film are, sorry to repeat myself, phenominal--with the exeption of Fawkes, the phoenix. he looks fantastic as a puppet, but his cg counterpart looked a bit rushed. a small price to pay for the phenominal effects of the Basilisk...probably the best creature animation since jurrasic park..incredible. and the quidditch...faster, less bright...louder and genrally a roller-coaster ride only rivalled by the phantom menace's podrace. those of you who thought it looked a bit fake in the first film will be pleased with the change.
Hogwarts looks better (hard, since the sets in the first film were great, but it does) and it is dark and edgy whilst at the same time being cosy and magical. knockturn alley (readers of the book will know what I mean) is very, very atmospheric. it's scary and dark...not for kids. dobby looks, and sounds as i imagined him to, and provides many humourous moments.
For me, the first half of the first film was weak, i didn't like the way they had rushed it. But in this film, the first half is easily the strongest. the only criticisms i would have, is that for around half an hour in the middle of the film, it get's a bit slow and dull. there is alot of conversation, which is always good to have, but...i don't know why...this just seemed dull. see what you make of it.
overall, this film is absolutely brilliant, magical, cool and fun. the flying car sequence immedeatly gets you into the action, and wow, what a trip you'll be taken on for 2 and a half hours. i can't stress it enough, the film is magnificent, go see it, for if the perpose of film is to take the viewer away from the real world, and take them on an adventure wonderous and intoxicating, this could easily be called a great experience.
Pint-Sized Hagrid
Hey folks, Harry here.... Well, I've added this positive review to the top of the negative one, because frankly... that negative one seems a bit off kilter to me. I mean, literally all the word I've heard is that the most negative thing about this film is that it is less magical, but darker and edgier. And from what I've heard people have dug the FXs quite a bit. As if to reinforce that thought, here's a look from someone that sees it as the wonderful family film that it most likely is. Here ya go...
Hi Harry,
Love the site. Keep the Angel/Buffy updates up! I need to know what’s going on being that we haven’t even started the series over here in the good old U of K yet…
Anyway, just thought you should know I got to see Harry Potter : Chamber Of Secrets last night. I thought you might like a review? Enjoy!
Harry Potter 2.
First off, let me start by saying that I’ve read the second Harry Potter book and I didn’t enjoy it that much. I felt it had a fairly weak plot compared to the other books in the series and a lot of the story revolved around some fairly tenuous links. The film, on the other hand, is absolutely superb. It’s every bit as good as the first and then more so.
I’m not going to go into detail on the plot seeing as anyone who is interested can just read the book to get the whole story. I am however going to comment on the only two detrimental features of the whole thing :
1) Nobby “the house elf” – Nobby looks and acts like the spawn of a very sordid love triangle between Jar Jar Binks, Gollum and Gizmo. I hated him, the kids will love him.
2) Kenneth Branagh – Is there any possibility that they didn’t really pick up on the fact that Gilderoy Lockheart is meant to be suave, sophisticated and charming albeit completely shallow and a tad narcissistic? Branagh copes with the narcissism very well, being as far up his own arse as it’s possible for a human to be without disappearing, but he lacks any charm whatsoever. Or maybe it’s just because I don’t like him? Who knows. I found his screen time, whilst necessary (very necessary obviously) just a little irksome. He made my fists itch.
Apart from those two tiny things which just annoyed me the rest of the film was excellent. The film quality itself is par excellence. It’s very bright and cheerful one moment and very dark and forboding the next And it switches from one to the other beautifully. The set pieces are amazing and whilst a couple look a little ‘fake’ most are very convincing. Harry is slightly cheekier and a little more chipper than he was in the first film. Ron is just balls out funny. Hagrid is still his awkward little self (well, except for the fact that he’s a giant.) You can still detest the Dursleys and wish something nasty upon them. And I may be arrested for saying so, but am I the only one waiting for Hermione to turn ! 16?
Overall I’d say this is a superb family film, a bit darker than the first and a bit less smooth running – I can see that the plot might kind of leave the uninitiated struggling in a few places – but it’s definitely worth the watch and worth them taking my hard earned cash to go see.
Cheers for now then,
LimeyFish.
Hey folks, Harry here... I see this very soon, and I'm hoping that it works. I want this to be very good, and thus far I've had fairly positive feedback on the film, till now. So is this a review from a contrary personality? Will that be you too? Personally I can't wait to see this! Hope this one's wrong...
Hey dude,
Long time reader, first time.. you know the drill.
Just watched the new Harry Potter, and I have to say I feel violated this is one huge steaming pile, it has everything which is the main problem not only dose it have some good individual moments (although there few and far between) the film largely comprises some of the worst acting, CGI, etc. i've seen in along time and I watch alot of movie (it's part of my job, I work in a multiplex).
Where do you start, the plot, the actors... PLOT - Ok I've never read the books and after watching this I'm not compelled to do so, but I can see why kids like it blood, action, a ghosts who wants Harry to join him in her toilet if he dies! In the age old tradition of children's entertainment it portrays that writing under the influence of drugs will make you a shed load of cash.
ACTORS - Right those mature members of the cast Harris, Smith, Coltrane etc they all turn in your expected half decent performance, Branagh plays the over cocky self loving idiot Lockheart very well but is an under used high point in the movie. As for Radcliffe, Grint and the rest of the 'and now I shall say may lines as if independent from the rest of the script and or reality, or just in stupidly high pitched attempt of panic that it sounds like I've been breathing helium for an hour' well need I say more. It is sad that a film with such a cast the best actor is a CGI elf 'Dobbie' who by a running mile is the one true high point of the film.
OTHER POINTS - again Quidich looks like they ran out of cash and just knocked something together in an afternoon. I can't believe that of over half a dozen visual effects companies that are involved in the movie that's the best they can come up with. Also the number of coincidental 'occurances' just becomes annoying and stupid like a certain charaters middle name (well random combination of letters) which you see breifly is a major point in identifing them.
FINAL POINT - I'll finish on a good point if you jumped during 'Eight Legged Freaks' you will again, Dobbie rules, and with that I must be punished and so will go iron my hands.
Db1animal over and out, except for, THANK GOD FOR LOTR & BOND they I have no doubt will restore my faith.
