Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
by Gail Campbell-Thomson, icNorthWest
IT'S been a year since we were introduced to the cinematic adventures of Mr Potter and his wondrous wizarding world, so will we all still be wild about Harry?
The answer is a resounding yes.
Bigger, bolder, faster, darker and finer, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is a fantastic family feast that will hold both adult and children spellbound.
Director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steven Kloves have again remained more-or-less faithful to JK Rowling's book - much to the relief of the legion of the boy wizard's fans, although some may be miffed with some obvious omissions from the book.
Like the novel, Harry is now a year older and preparing to start his second year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry.
But this year, foul deeds are afoot.
A mysterious magical visitor has brought him a cryptic warning of terrible danger, a warning telling Harry to stay away from the school he loves.
A mad roller-coaster ride in a flying car plunges him into a terrifying term in which we see malevolent monsters, daring deeds, perplexing puzzles and a fabulous phoenix called Fawkes.
Where the first film (the Philosopher's Stone) was bound to lay the foundations and back story for the series, the Chamber of Secrets can plunge straight in at the deep end.
More confident after his success with the Philosopher's Stone, Columbus dives into the more complex story with bolder visuals and a much faster pace.
There are a number of thrilling set pieces (which I won't be spoiling here) that will have the audience gasping for more.
In particular Quiddich - the kinetic magical sport played in mid-air on broomsticks - comes into its own, with some wincingly realistic full contact play and aggression on the field that makes Roy Keane look like Miss Marple.
