Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - Movie Review

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second installment of J.K. Rawlings phenomenally great series that has been adapted into a movie. The series is so great in my opinion that I will go ahead and post right now that all of them get a score of 10 stars out of 10. Don't worry, I'll remind you of the scores for each of the next 6 movies.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets builds on the first movie. After all, the movies are supposed to follow Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) as they attend school at Hogwarts. In this movie we meet Guilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh), the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. Lockhart is full of himself and is an inept wizard; it's amazing he has made it as far as he has in life and being so inept.

As I did for Sorcerer's Stone in giving my favorite scene I won't describe the big scenes, though they are some of my favorites. However, I have other scenes that I like that will be listed below.

The first scene I liked was when Ron and his twin brothers, Fred (James Phelps) and George (Oliver Phelps), come to Surrey, England to rescue Harry. Harry has been put on lock down in the Dursley house because of something he didn't do. Dobby (Toby Jones) the House Elf has taken it upon himself to save Harry Potter from a plot against him. Dobby drops a cake on Uncle Vernon's boss's wife's head. When Ron, Fred and George come to rescue Harry they do so in a flying car. When they get to the Weasley home we meet Arthur Weasley (Mark Williams) and Molly Weasley (Julie Walters), parents to Ron, Fred and George. We also meet Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright).

The second scene I like was the dueling scene between Harry and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton). They are supposed to only disarm each other, but Malfoy cheats (shocker!). Harry retaliates, but Malfoy comes back with a spell that produces a snake. Harry talks to the snake trying to convince it to not attack another student, this shocks everyone because talking to snakes is not a common gift.

The next scene is one of the funniest scenes. It's when Harry and Ron "accompany" Lockhart into the Chamber of Secrets to save Ginny. They see a snake skin on the ground and Lockhart faints. However, this is a ploy in order to steal Ron's wand. Lockhart attempts to erase Harry's memories, but Ron's wand was broken near the beginning of the movie and he never replaced it. The spell Lockhart tries to use backfires and causes a cave-in, it also causes Lockhart to lose all of his memories.

I already scored this movie, how would you score it?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - Movie Review

I had a friend who worked at a movie theater during the releases of the first two Harry Potter movies who kept getting asked if he was hired as a look-alike for Harry Potter. He hated it. But that is not to say that he didn't like the movies, or at least the ones I know he watched.

Anyway, I loved these movies. I liked how we got to watch the characters grow. I mean why not, there were 8 movies covering 7 years of growth. We got to see the three main characters go from awkward pre-teens to very talented and strong adults.

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone we meet all the characters. Well, the most important characters for the whole series and many others that played big part throughout. We meet other important characters in later movies that play important parts.

The graphics are great. I especially like when some of the different characters are shown flying broom sticks. I thought that having Hagrid driving a flying motorcycle with a sidecar was a nice touch. Speaking of Hagrid, I liked how the Special Effects Department made a 6'1" actor, Robbie Coltrane look 8'6".

My favorite scenes may not be what you think they should be. I like the big scenes, but my favorite scenes are not the big scenes.

The first scene I liked was when Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and the Dursleys go to the zoo. Harry's cousin, Dudley (Harry Melling), is celebrating his birthday. Harry, Dudley, Uncle Vernon (Richard Griffiths) and Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) are in the reptile house at the zoo. They are looking at a Burmese Python and Dudley wants it to move. Uncle Vernon knocks on the glass to try to get it to move, Harry yells that its asleep. After the others leave, Harry begins talking to the snake... and it understands him. Dudley turns around and sees that the snake is moving. He runs over and pushes Harry out of the way. In anger, Harry makes the glass disappear and Dudley falls in. The python escapes, but Dudley is stuck inside the python's exhibit. Serves him right!

The next scene I liked was the scene of the first Quiddich Match Harry was ever in. I won't describe the scene in detail, but I will tell you that it is amazing to watch. The best part is when Harry catches the Golden Snitch to win the match. He does so by catching it in his mouth.

The third scene I like is chess game Harry, Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) play in order to stop Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) from getting the Sorcerer's Stone. It's a giant chess game in which the three young wizards have to play as pieces. There is a scene earlier in the movie when we see Harry and Ron playing Wizard Chess and this is exactly like that only bigger.

Of course I am going to give Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 10 stars out of 10. I liked everything about this movie.

Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) - Movie Review

Well, this is a continuation of the previous movie, Anakin is still portrayed as a whining brat. At least at the beginning. At the end his temper tantrum is almost epic.

In this installment of Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christiansen) and Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) are married and are expecting a child. Actually two children. They are keeping their relationship secret, as well as, who the father of Padme's children are.

The graphics are very good. I especially liked the event that Chancellor Palpetine (Ian McDiarmid) was attending when Anakin went to meet with him. Many of the battle scenes are pretty cool. I thought it was great that Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) was brought into the movie. The fight between Yoda (Frank Oz) and Emperor Palpetine was amazing, even though Yoda lost.

There are many scenes I liked, some of them I have already mentioned. But I will describe at least three more.

The first scene I liked was the scene in which Anakin and Obi-Wan are sent to rescue Chancellor Palpetine. Palpetine was kidnapped by Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) and General Grievous (Matthew Wood). Anakin and Obi-Wan confront Dooku. Obi-Wan is knocked unconscious. Anakin cuts off Dooku's arms at about the elbow. Dooku is helpless and on his knees. Anakin has both his and Dooku's lightsabers crossed in front of Dooku's neck. Palpatine eggs Anakin on to execute Dooku, and Anakin does. Anakin immediately regrets his action.

The next scene I like is the fight scene between Obi-Wan and Grievous. Some of it is funny, especially when Obi-Wan kicks Grievous. This was a stupid move since Grievous is a cyborg(?). In the end Obi-Wan succeeds in defeating Grievous by shooting him in the chest and destroying his heart. Yes, Grievous had a heart.

The third scene I liked was the fight scene between Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and Palpatine. Palpatine reveals that he is well versed in the Jedi arts. Anakin comes in and attempts to help Windu bring Palpatine under arrest, but ends up helping Palpatine defeat Windu. This is the act that causes Anakin to become Darth Vader, but he needs to complete one task for Palpatine... Kill all Jedi in the Jedi Temple, including younglings. It would be this act of killing younglings that would kill the relationship between Anakin and Padme.

I give Star Wars, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith 10 stars out of 10. What do you think?

Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) - Movie Review

The second installment of the new Star Wars series was far better than it's predecessor. However, I didn't like how they portrayed Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christiansen) as a petulant child. This portrayal was carried over to the next movie where is always whining that "it's not fair."

Star Wars, Episode II: Attack of the Clones adds onto the story the was started in Phantom Menace but takes place ten years later. Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) is no longer Queen of Naboo, instead she has been elected Senator. As Senator she represents the planet of Naboo in the Galactic Senate. Anakin Skywalker has progressed in his training as a Padawan Learner in the Jedi Order with Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) as his Master.

Even though they portrayed Anakin as a whining child, I did like this movie.

Of course there are scenes in this movie that I like more than others.

The first scene I liked is when Anakin and Obi-Wan are chasing Zam Wessell (Leeanna Walsman) after her second attempt to assassinate Padme. The chase scene is pretty elaborate and kind of fun. In the end Zam is killed by another assassin before she can reveal anything to Anakin or Obi-Wan. The other assassin turns out to be Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison).

The next scene I like was when Anakin goes in search of his kidnapped mother. He finds her just before she dies. In his grief, Anakin slaughters the Tusken Raiders who have held her captive. Anakin didn't just kill the men, he killed the women and children too. This is the event that begins Anakin's path to the Dark Side and to his new identity as Darth Vader.

The last scene I liked in this takes place after Anakin and Padme are captured on Geonosis. They are taken to an arena where they are to executed along with Obi-Wan. They are joined in their fight by several Jedi, including Mace Windu (Samuel L. Jackson) and eventually a clone army. At the end of the scenes on Geonosis Anakin has been wounded by Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) when his arm was severed.

I give this movie an 8 out of 10 stars. The graphics were pretty good, especially Yoda's light saber fight with Count Dooku.

Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) - Movie Review

I have to say that I am surprised at the reception of the prequel trilogy. Many fans of the original trilogy were reluctant to accept these movies. Some thought that they took something away from the original movies. I disagree.

I liked episodes 1 through 3 just as much as I liked 4 through 6, maybe even more. I like that the first three tell the story of Anakin Skywalker and what leads him to become Darth Vader. But beyond that it is the story of Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman) and her relationship with Anakin.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is a favorite but not at the top. Based on a 10 star rating I give it a 7. The story was pretty good, but the script and acting seemed a little forced at times.

I do have many favorite scenes.

The first favorite is when Quigon Jin (Liam Neeson) and Obi Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) first meet Jar Jar Binx. Quigon supposedly saves Jar Jar's life. The antics that follow make for some pretty good comic relief.

My next favorite scene is the pod race scene. The whole scene is pretty cool. It shows the Tuskan Raiders, the Jawas and even Jabba the Hutt. I like the different things that happen just before, during and at the end of the pod race.

The third favorite scene is the final fight scene between Qui-Gon Jin, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Darth Maul (Ray Park). In the end Qui-Gon is killed by Darth Maul. But, Darth Maul is killed by Obi Wan Kenobi.

The music is great. Especially in the pod race scene and the final Darth Maul fight scene. John Williams did a phenomenal job.

I have already given my rating of this movie. What is yours?