Since the film opened with a phenomenal $87.7 million take at the North American Box Office, most likely everyone who wanted to see the film did. For those of you fans, who didn't rush out the first weekend, you'd probably like to know how closely it follows the book. Well, I have a confession to make. I have not read the "Harry Potter" books. I apologize. It is on my to do list.

Don't worry I asked my sister, who has read each book several times, about the accuracy of the film She said although certain parts and details of the film were removed that overall it followed the book fairly close.

The plot, for those like me who haven't read the book, involves around the mysterious Chamber of Secrets being opened and a monster being unleashed that is paralyzing students. Of course Harry and his best pals Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger have to take upon themselves to solve the mystery.

The story and tone of the film are decidedly darker than "Sorcerer's Stone" and there's an almost constant forbidding feeling throughout the film. This feeling builds

until tension snaps and the climatic finale of the film begins, which is at times both genuinely frightening and thrilling.

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" is a movie with new wonders to behold in nearly every scene. Fans of the series should love it, but even those who haven't read the books should give it a try. It is funnier, darker and all around better film than its predecessor.

For one thing the acting of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as Harry, Ron and Hermione has improved. Radcliffe is more able to carry the film and handle himself in action sequences, which this time around are more dangerous and elaborate. Grint has become an able comic sidekick and provides many solid laughs. Watson doesn't seem quite so shrill and is more likable. Overall the three seem to be more like friends than they did the first time around.

There's also a new computer generated character, Dobby that will obviously bring comparisons to that other computer generated character from a major fantasy franchise. Luckily he never reaches the level annoyance that Jar Jar Binks, although he gets close.

There are a few new cast members, most notably Kenneth Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart and Jason Issac ("The

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