Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on DVD

The first Harry Potter sequel is arguably a better film than “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and one would hope that would translate into an even better DVD.

And it has, in some ways.

“Chamber” is a darker and more frightening movie than “Philosopher’s Stone,” though it’s still suitable for kids. And while this reviewer thought the first Potter was more fun, most people to whom he's spoken prefer "Chamber."

So go figure.

This time we see Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) back with his aunt, uncle and their poisonous snake of a kid, biding time until the new school year starts and he can go back to Hogwarts where he really belongs. He’s been allowed to move out of the closet under the stairs and into a bedroom of his own, but other than that it doesn’t appear that much has changed with his “first family.” They still hate his guts, feel threatened by his magic abilities, and want him to be neither seen nor heard. But they don’t want him back at school, either, so Harry lives as a virtual prisoner in his own room.

Until the Weasley kids show up in their family’s flying Anglia and break him out. They take him home with them just in time for the lot to head back to Hogwarts.

But things are different at school this year. There’s a heaviness to the atmosphere, a sense of dread after an ominous message, written in blood, shows up on one of the school’s walls. Then people and critters start becoming petrified, and Harry is implicated in what appears to be an inevitable murder at the school.

The trio of Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) is pretty resourceful, though, and together they get to the bottom of a fifty year old plot that has conspired to see Professor Dumbledore (Richard Harris) lose his position has headmaster and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) jailed.

There are special effects galore, including monsters such as giant spiders and snakes, and as before we’re treated to a wonderful supporting cast that reunites most of those from the first film and adds a delightfully foppish fraud (Kenneth Branagh) and the intimidating Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs).

The effects are even better than in the first film, and the overall look and feel is as if this is merely chapter two in a video novel - and that’s just fine with us. We’re disappointed in John Williams’ score (and that’s probably the first time we’ve ever said that), which appears to have been merely re-edited from the first movie; we didn’t notice any new themes and, in fact, the closing credits hint that it’s just a cutting job when they credit William Ross for his adaptation.

Too bad; Williams deserves better. And Warners might have sold more "original soundtrack" CD's.

But on to the two-disc DVD itself. As is becoming nauseatingly predictable, a big release like this is packaged with anamorphic widescreen and Pan&Scan versions under separate cover, meaning that those who buy the P&S version are going to be stuck with it when they move to a widescreen TV down the road.

Fortunately, we received the anamorphic widescreen (16x9 TV compatible) version and we recommend that anyone who’s contemplating buying this disc get the widescreen version. The picture quality is very good. We think it’s better than the first movie, which we found a tad soft and grainy at times. Here, it’s sharper ; it also features the same rich colors as its predecessor.

Audio is Dolby Digital 5.1 EX Surround and though it’s good we can’t say that it’s great. In fact, we found it a tad muddy compared with “Philosopher’s Stone.” Not enough to spoil one’s enjoyment, fortunately, but we’re insufferable snobs and we want every DVD to be as good as humanly possible.

The discs also feature menus that are more interminable than usual, but fortunately you can skip ahead and miss the animation.

Disc one has the movie, cast and crew info, a look back at “Year One” in the guise of the first movie, and the theatrical trailer.

The real meat among the bonus material is on disc two, and there are enough extras to keep the kids happy for hours. Most of the stuff is beneath grownups, though there’s a very interesting interview with author J.K. Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves that’s well worth a boo.

But there’s plenty more, too, including 19 deleted and/or extended scenes, interviews with Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione) and other cast members (though for the most part these are pretty lame), and some “self-guided tours” with which you can hang out in the Chamber of Secrets and other places, including some that weren’t shown in the final film.

You can also try to escape from the Forbidden Forest, sneak into the Chamber, or visit Professor Lockhart's class and look at his photos and other stuff.

You can also install that darn PC Friendly software, if you haven’t already, and take advantage of DVD-ROM features. These use “One VoiceDVD” technology to let you access features using only your voice. There’s also an animated, interactive Hogwarts timeline, a slider puzzle challenge, some printable “magic” trading cards, jigsaw puzzles, downloadable screensavers and more.

In all, a deliciously enjoyable package for kids of all ages.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, from Warner Home Video
161 min. anamorphic widescreen (2.35:1), 16x9 TV compatible (Pan&Scan sold separately), Dolby Digital Surround 5.1 EX
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and an all star cast
Produced by David Heyman,
Written by Steve Kloves, Directed by Chris Columbus.

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