(Rated PG-13, 161 mins.)
The second of the planned seven movies from J K Rowlings’s popular series, is again true to the book. This time however, director Chris Columbus has gone darker and edgier with a touch more sophistication, having nailed down his niche for round two. Trio of stars, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson) seem more sure of themselves than the first installment. Most of the cast from Philosopher’s Stone have returned, including the late Richard Harris as the wise headmaster Professor Dumbledore, Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall and Alan Rickman as the unpleasant potions master, Professor Snape. But this time there is a new addition in Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart, a narcissistic yet comical Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Unlike the original Potter, this doesn’t spend the time setting up the story since the audience gets it. Instead it jumps headlong from Harry’s home to the adventures of Hogwarts with even more wizardry and surprises.
