Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (2002)
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Harry Potter must face a mysterious monster and a dark secret within the walls of Hogwarts during his second year.
The story
During his second year at Hogwarts, Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger discover that the legendary Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The chamber, a hidden chamber created by Salazar Slytherin, contains a monster capable of petrifying students. As the mystery of the monster's identity and the identity of the 'Heir of Slytherin' unfolds, the trio must navigate the dangers of the school while uncovering the truth behind the growing threat to the student body.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
While Harry spends the summer with the Dursleys, a house-elf named Dobby warns him of danger at Hogwarts. After a chaotic journey to school in a flying car, Harry, Ron, and Hermione begin investigating the opening of the Chamber of Secrets. They discover a petrified cat with a warning and learn about the monster within. Amidst the mystery, Harry is suspected of being the heir due to his ability to speak to snakes. The trio eventually discovers that a Muggle-born girl died 50 years ago when the chamber was last opened. They find a diary belonging to Tom Marvolo Riddle, who is revealed as the true heir. After Hermione is petrified, they venture into the Forbidden Forest to find clues about the monster, identifying it as a basilisk. When Ginny Weasley is taken into the Chamber, the trio enters to rescue her. Inside, they face Riddle and the basilisk. Harry uses the Sword of Gryffindor to slay the beast and destroys the diary, ending the threat. He is healed by Fawkes the phoenix, and the school is restored to safety.
- First release year
- 2002
- Runtime (minutes)
- 161
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Chris Columbus
- Writers
- Steve Kloves · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Daniel Radcliffe · Harry Potter; Rupert Grint · Ron Weasley; Emma Watson · Hermione Granger; Kenneth Branagh · Gilderoy Lockhart; John Cleese · Nearly Headless Nick; Robbie Coltrane · Rubeus Hagrid; Warwick Davis · Filius Flitwick; Richard Griffiths · Vernon Dursley
- Genres
- fantasy; adventure
- Themes
- bravery; friendship; mystery
- Tone and mood
- dark; mysterious
- Premise and plot tags
- fantasy; mystery; magic
- Source material / true-story basis
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
- Franchise connections
- Harry Potter
- Reception
- The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its darker tone and faithfulness to the source material, though some critics noted its length.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 63 · scale: 100 · review count: 35; CinemaScore · score: A+
- Awards and nominations
- BAFTA Award · Best Production Design · Nomination; BAFTA Award · Best Sound · Nomination; BAFTA Award · Best Special Visual Effects · Nomination; Broadcast Film Critics Association · Best Family Film · Win; Broadcast Film Critics Association · Best Composer · Win
- Production trivia
- The film's production designer, Stuart Craig, returned for the sequel.; The film's music was composed by John Williams.; The film's visual effects took nine months to complete.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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