1 of 6

Also at RazorMouth, two writers address the recent controversy over Harry Potter. Is the wizard a harmless hero in an admirable fairy tale for children, or is he baiting children to study sorcery? Yep, the debate is heating up again as the second movie in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, is on its way to theaters. Check out Gerry Wisz's argument that Potter isn't the wizard he claims to be. Then visit Douglas Jones's Credenda essay on "so-called fantasy," and Joel Miller's response to the article at RazorMouth. (Joel Miller's original defense of the boy wizard—or magician, or whatever you want to call him—is still available here.)

While religious press reviews are pending, some U.K. publications are giving readers a sneak peek at Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Their rave reviews guarantee the film will be a force to be reckoned with when it opens on November 15. Film Forum will be watching closely as more reviews (and controversies) pop up.

John Hiscock (The Telegraph) says, "Wisely, scriptwriter Steve Kloves and director Chris Columbus once again are faithful to the book, although Columbus, more confident this time, deftly takes advantage of Rowling's wildly imaginative story to add some visual touches and twists of his own. The dark and grimly topical tale … gives Columbus the chance to indulge himself with fascinatingly realistic special effects and riveting action sequences."

Lizzie Rusbridger (The Guardian) says, "Children and adults around the country, breathe easy—the magic of Harry Potter is as potent as ever in film. Secrets is darker, funnier and finer than its forerunner. Parents, be warned—this film is quite long, although probably not long enough for the absolute Harry Potter fanatic. It has only been shortened by the brief but sickeningly cheesy Hollywood ending; the only point where we wring our hands and ask why it had not remained a perfect book."

In a replay of last year's big-screen fantasy face-off, Harry Potter is back to stare down the hobbits. With established characters and familiar settings, director Chris Columbus is able to pack more action, more adventure, and more ambitious special effects into Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Based on the second book in the successful series, the movie finds Harry back at school with his charming cohorts and nefarious rivals, caught up in a troubling mystery. Students are being turned into stone one by one, and it's up to Potter and Co. to find out who's responsible and how to stop them.

Concerned parents and pastors are again raising their voices that the Potter books preach sorcery and paganism to children. Some Christian readers and moviegoers counter those criticisms by saying that the nay-sayers should look closer at the meaning of the Potter stories.

In the first religious media press review of the film, Gerri Pare (Catholic News) addresses some Christians' concerns over Harry Potter's "magic" and the quality of the film itself. "It is to be stressed, as with its predecessor, the film is only a fantasy—not a course in witchcraft—so it is not attempting to undermine Catholic beliefs. Harry is out to thwart evil and protect his fellow students even at the risk of his own safety. Children too young to understand the difference between fantasy and reality are not the appropriate audience."

On this film's craftsmanship, Pare writes, "Some of the magic is missing. The two hours and 40 minutes feels really long in sections where the exposition is plodding and the pace lags." Pare adds, "The grand finale where Harry must face down the gigantic serpent is probably too frightening."

Shelvia Dancy (Ethics Daily) hears from two writers on the subject. Connie Neal (author of The Gospel According to Harry Potter) says, "Some people will tell you they've found 64 specific places where Harry Potter illustrates witchcraft, but my approach was that I could do the same thing and find the gospel. I found more than 80 parallels. Once you start looking for it, you get an eye for it and you see it everywhere you look." The Rev. Francis Bridger, principal of Trinity Theological College in Bristol, England, calls the Potter stories "an enormous opportunity for speaking about Christian themes and truths and ideas. The books open the door for talking about things such as right and wrong, the nature of faith, loyalty, bravery and trust."

next page... |  1 of 6 | last page

Related Elsewhere:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	Printer view
Is the big-screen Harry Potter as delightful as the one in the book? And should you be worried about his witchcraft? Critics and viewers respond.

---

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban	Printer view

---

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire	Printer view

---

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	Printer view

---

Mad About Harry	Printer view
Our readers seem to be absolutely mad about Harry Potter—both ways. They love him, or they hate him.

---

Redeeming Harry Potter	Printer view
The initial Christian outcry against the boy wizard seems to be dying down. Maybe that's because more and more of us are discovering multiple redemptive themes in the series.