As we approach the opening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Pop Goes The World, will take a look back at each of the Harry Potter films, today we re-explore Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

The second of the Harry Potter films was pretty much being filmed just as the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, was hitting theatres.

I remember because I was watching coverage of the premier and Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) mentioned that they just came from set.

What I thought was the most awkward about this second entry was the fact that the trio was in that weird stage of puberty. Rupert’s voice was cracking at some parts but was pretty much changed and the same went with Dan. Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) also grew up too not only physically but as an actor too. I think in the Chamber of Secrets, she finally was starting to get how to play Hermione and felt that she truly was Hermione.

Now this was the longest Harry Potter film out of all eight and I appreciate Christopher Columbus (back for his second film) trying to be faithful but while in some places it was, in some places it wasn’t. I know that isn’t his fault but screenwriter Steve Kloves. What I remember what I didn’t like about Chamber of Secrets was marginalizing Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) in this one and that was shocking considering how important her role is in this film. Also, they really cut down the role of Colin Creevey (Hugh Mitchell).

What I am continually impressed with when it comes to the Harry Potter films is the casting. The producers continue to find the perfect people to play key roles. Jason Isaacs is a perfect Lucius Malfoy while Kenneth Branagh is Gilderoy Lockhart.

What Steve Kloves did right in this film was a very subtle hint to Ron and Hermione as a future couple that was introduced in the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

One of the aspects that surprised me about Chamber of Secrets that I didn’t like about the books was Dobby the House Elf (as voiced by Toby Jones). I found Dobby to be extremely annoying in the books but as soon as Dobby appeared on screen and spoke his first word, I fell in love with him. He was so adorable and noble.

Dobby’s CGI is a mass improvement versus the troll and centaurs in the first film. The basilik and the spiders too were impressive. Speaking of the spiders, no matter how many times I see Chamber of Secrets, I always close my eyes, I just can’t look at them, they freak me out. Even when I was on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Aragog was a part of it but I wouldn’t know considering I had my eyes shut during that part of it.

What didn’t impress me was how fake the Whomping Willow was in this movie and it created a continuity error for future films and how the tree looks like too.

Of the seven Harry Potter films that I have seen, I consider Chamber of Secrets to be one of the weaker entries and I feel the same way about the book. The movie was way too long and with the cuts made, it is a shame to have it that long and couldn’t have been a bit more faithful.