 There is a fantastic flying car chase, a host of magical mischief and some truly realistic CGI beasties, some of which may be a bit too much for the very young or faint of heart.
Plot, character and CGI are nicely balanced, and while the special effects are superb, they are never allowed to overshadow the actors or the story.
The pace of the film is brisk and despite a running time of 160 minutes the story never flounders and the audience is never allowed to get bored.
Most of the original cast have returned here. The central core of youngsters playing Harry, Ron and Hermionie also return, and despite rapturously feverish reports on their growing spurts and changing voices they look exactly as you would expect them to. After all, the books are set in real time, so growing up is a part of that. It is also clear that they have grown in confidence too. This time the trio must face a much darker story - monsters are at large and not all of them are supernatural. There is also an insidious Arian racism aimed at 'mudbloods' - a foul derogatory term for 'muggle-born' students, ie those who have non-magical parents. As Harry, Daniel Radcliffe is more heroically brave and keenly intelligent, but again almost has his thunder stolen by the amusing antics of his best friend, Ron Weasley - an exceedingly enjoyable Rupert Grint. While Emma Watson's portrayal of Hermionie has just the right blend of bookish brains and steely determination. They are ably assisted - once again - by a schlew of top adult acting talent, including Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonegall and a sorely underused Robbie Coltrane and Alan Rickman as gigantic gamekeeper, Hagrid, and repellent Potions master, Snape, respectively. In his last film, the late, great, Richard Harris exudes benevolent wisdom as headmaster, Albus Dumbledore - making his passing all the more poignant. There are also a host of new faces. Kenneth Branagh is wonderful as the condescendingly narcissistic glory-hound, Gilderoy Lockhart. And Miriam Margolyes also joins the Hogwarts faculty as the no-nonsense Herbology teacher, Professor Sprout. But the most notable new addition is the loathsome, icily evil Lucius Malfoy, played with venomous relish by Jason Isaacs. Only a blatantly tacked on ending threatens to mar the audiences enjoyment - but even that is forgivable. Pre-production on the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, has just gotten underway with new director Alfonso Cuaron at the helm. If Chamber of Secrets is the benchmark he has to hit - then personally, I just can't wait.
________________________________________________ Take a look at our wizard Chamber of Secrets Gallery, here Or take a peek at the magical London premiere, here | 
