MovieFreak.Com - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets DVD Review

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Director: Chris Columbus

Rating: PG

Studio: Warner Bros.

Review Posted: 4.15.03

Spoilers: None

Reviewed by John Teves

Originally appeared on DVDFreak.net

Synopsis

Cars fly, trees fight back and a mysterious elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of the second year of his amazing journey into the world of wizardry. This year at Hogwarts, spiders talk, letters scold and Harry's own unsettling ability to speak to snakes turns his friends against him. From dueling clubs to rogue Bludgers, it's a year of adventure and danger when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. To save Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron and Herione's magical abilities and courage.

>Read Sara M. Fetters' Film Review!

The Video

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS appears in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 on this single-sided, double-layered DVD; the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. Warner Brothers has another stellar release in it’s Potter trilogy. The video transfer presented an excellent video presentation. Jagged edges were of no concerns, but there were signs of edge enhancement during a few shots. The color palette was simply breathtaking; the various colors were vivid and radiant. Black levels on the whole were solid, while shadow detail appeared smooth and fittingly solid. So as a whole, THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS presented an impressive image.

The Audio

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS is presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 EX track. The EX track brought the film to life. To a great extent the track maintained focused on it’s front channels, while effects popped up in blending together nicely. Surrounds traveled from one channel to another in an expected manner. Audio quality was fine. Speech seemed ordinary, with no issues related to jumpiness. Ultimately, the DD5.1 EX track presented an active and engaging track that worked well for the film.

The Extras

19 additional/extended scenes
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
Self-guided tours allowing viewers to linger on the details of the Chamber of Secrets, including places never shown in the film such as more Diagon Alley shops
Activities allow viewers to escape the Forbidden Forest, sneak into the Chamber and more.
Visit Lockhart's class and get a closer look at his photos and memorabilia through the use of still galleries.
Keep track of events with the Hogwarts official, animated timeline
DVD-ROM has more than 15 special features including: The One VoiceDVD 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; a slider puzzle challenge; printable magic trading cards; jigsaw puzzles, matching challenges, downloadable screensavers and more

Overall

I was never a fan of Harry Potter and after the last film, I found that watching this film was somewhat annoying. However, I did view the film with some anticipation that the sequel would bring a breath of fresh air. Boy was I wrong. The film is sluggish with a moderately entertaining presentation that did absolutely nothing for me. Normally sequels go above and beyond it’s original, but CHAMBER OF SECRETS missed its duty.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS offers a small amount fun and allure but seems to try too hard to amuse it’s viewer, moreover it rarely just lets the film do its own thing. The DVD on the other hand provides solid picture and sound. Supplements, surprisingly, were lacking; I thought Warner Brothers would surely have made this a 3-disc set considering the popularity of it’s content, but regardless, a smart move on their part. For true Harry Potter fans this is a must see to complete your journey into the realm of wizardry; for the rest of us, don’t even bother wasting your time. The film is long-winded, unexciting and dense. It’s time we put this franchise to rest.

Film Rating: 1 out of 4

DVD REVIEWS BY JOHN TEVES:

- 8 Mile

- Army of Darkness: Boomstick Edition

- Blue Crush

- Bourne Identity

- Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys

- Empire

- Eye See You

- Far From Heaven

- Ghost Ship

- I Spy