Chamber of Secrets - spoiler ridden

Again lots o' spoilers + low tech girl who doesn't know how to do the hidey thing with the link = stuff you might not want to read. Sorry :(

Happy happy fun fun fun fun!

So I went tonight and I really, really enjoyed the movie. It was much faster paced than the first, and some characterization was lost, but overall, a really fine flick.

Initial impressions:

The kids' acting was much more relaxed in a good way.

Kenneth Branagh was perfect - just perfectly perfect - as Gilderoy. The first classroom scene with the painting within a painting and all of his pictures. hee hee.

Parseltongue - cool

Darn those bad guys and their sinister attraction! Lucius was luscious, and Tom Riddle back in the day. Yum.

I really liked the whole Chamber of Secrets scene - especially the fire letters spelling Tom Marvolo Riddle which scramble into I am Lord Voldemort.

This one is a bit Hermione light, but the Hermione there is nicely done. She's working that magic, let me tell you. The "mudblood" scenes were a good showcase for her, as well.

The dueling scene - excellent.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and the Burrow, Professor Sprout and the mandrakes - again nicely done

I didn't mind Dobby at all - I thought the CGI was well done, and he was in no way Jar Jar-esque.

What I missed:

Not enough of Ginny. And since she's pivotal, this is a downside. But not too much of one.

Poor Justin Finch-Fletchly - doesn't even get to introduce himself before getting Petrified.

Again, so much is skimmed over quickly, and so many characters like Colin get lost in the mix.

Never enough Snape. Although what there was was lovely ;)

I so missed the Valentine's Day scene, even though I know it wasn't necessary. But still I'm hoping it's a deleted scene ;)

Phew. Going to see it again tomorrow, so I'm sure I'll have more to add by then.

More on magic

Weekly Wrap-Up from Joni's via Jenna's


1. Do you believe in magic? Why or why not? If you could have any magical ability, what would it be? Why?
I want to believe. I have an eternal Mulder/Scully dichotomy in my brain. The logical side says no, but oh man, do I wish there was magic. I believe that things can't be explained, and that is magic. I think a lot of science is magic, cos even though you can explain it, technology is magical to me. Iwas the girl always watching for a glimpse of a unicorn, and now that I'm grown up, I still keep a hopeful eye out.

If I could be magical in the fantasy sense, I would like to have a magic wand and powers affiliated with one.

2. Have you read the Harry Potter series? How did you come to read one or all of the books? Which of the four books did you like best? Why?
Many times have I read the whole series. As a teacher, I wanted to read the first one just so I'd know what everyone was talking about, but I didn't read them all till a summer or two later (when GoF came out). And then I was hooked.

I think Goblet is my favorite, although Prisoner is a close second. Goblet has so much going on - it becomes more of an adult book.

3. What do you like best about Harry Potter? Why? If you don't like Harry Potter, please tell us your reasons why.
The HP universe is one that draws you in and makes you believe. Fantasy universes which can stand on their own make me happy. Plus you can extrapolate within the world - ever so important for fan fic and imagination. JKR's world stands up as well as Tolkein's Middle Earth, if not nearly as fleshed out.

4. Did you see (or will you see) any of the movies based on Harry Potter? Why or why not? What did you like/dislike about the films?
Saw CoS last night. Own the DVD of Sorceror's Stone. The only thing I really don't like about either movie is how hurried they are to get everything in. And then important things and characters are skimmed over in annoying ways. But I think the adaptations are very well done. I fear for PoA and GoF cos condensing those two will be heinously skimmy.

5. A recent MSNBC article mentioned that some children were disappointed with the Harry Potter films because what they pictured in their imaginations was different than what they saw on the big screen. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
I agree. There's always a little disappointment. Your imagination is vital to your enjoyment of the books, and a differing visual can be jarring. I think as an adult it's easier to keep the two seperate.