A little older and a little wiser: Harry and friends return to Hogwarts for some new tricks

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert…

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Richard Harris, Kenneth Branagh, John Cleese and Robbie Coltrane

Directed by Chris Columbus

Welcome to Harry Potter’s (Daniel Radcliffe) second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This year is sure to be filled with wackier teachers, meaner bullies and stronger villains. But as long as Harry has his friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), he can defeat anything.

The characters in “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” have definitely matured since the first Harry Potter installment. Ron trades in his previous catch phrase “wicked” for “bloody hell.” Harry and his friends break more rules and manage to get in less trouble. Ron even drives his first flying car with Harry sitting on his left in the passenger seat. Sure, they crash the poor car a couple of times, but no one gets hurt. It is a magical school, after all.

The world J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, created on paper is recreated carefully on screen. Dobby, the computerized house elf, has a few cringe-worthy scenes where he bashes his head against hard objects. The special effects are clear and realistic, and the action is more intense than the first movie.

The three young actors that play the main characters have also improved their acting skills. Although Harry is the hero of the movie, Ron is the scene-stealer. Watching Ron’s funny or terrified expressions provides an adequate distraction when a serious conversation is going on a little too long. Harry opens his blue eyes wide behind his glasses whenever he needs to be serious, scared, perplexed or any other emotion he can’t express with a smile. Hermione has her moments, but the movie belongs to the boys.

As usual, the adults in Harry Potter’s school are clueless about what’s happening, content to wail mournfully that Hogwarts will close if the danger is not stopped, but failing to do anything about it. But Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh), the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, is one of the most enjoyable characters, representing wizardly fame gone wrong.

If you thought the first one was long, do not forget to go to the bathroom before settling down for this one; at just under three hours, the movie drags along at some points – use this time to munch on that smuggled bag of Doritos.

“Harry Potter” might be for the kids, but there’s a little something for everyone. It’s easy to appreciate the humor, drama and magical danger in the movie, not to mention that the kid actors are really cute. Who knows, maybe a couple of those magical spells really do work.