Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

Better than its predecesor, if only because everyone seems more at ease here. Stronger plotting too, with less of a need to introduce all the series's standard tropes and more of an ability to forge ahead assuming the audience already knows who so-and-so is; still, it's hampered by the patented Columbus-style button-mashing and a slack third act.

Grade: B-