Fans of Harry Potter have been looking forward to the second film, Chamber of Secrets, from the moment the credits ran on last year's first movie. JAMES HEWLETT joined youngsters at Ipswich's UGC Cinema as the film rolled.

Fans of Harry Potter have been looking forward to the second film, Chamber of Secrets, from the moment the credits ran on last year's first movie. JAMES HEWLETT joined youngsters at Ipswich's UGC Cinema as the film rolled.

WHAT'S A wizard to do?

A positive critical reception, the promise of six films to come, a spot behind Titanic as the second most successful film in history and some people are still complaining.

With the Lord of The Rings proving a worthy adversary in the cinema sensation war last year, Harry had to pull his socks up.

Thankfully, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets lives up to the hype. Darker, more confident, and thrilling, this film does not disappoint.

Harry is about to start his second year at Hogwarts, but a house-elf named Dobby warns him of a sinister plot afoot.

Despite Dobby's best efforts, Harry makes it to school to find a secret chamber has been opened.

A monster is on the loose, under the control of the Heir of Slytherin. Can Harry, Ron, and Hermione solve the mystery before someone gets killed?

This film benefits immensely from the characters' introduction in the first film.

Director Chris Columbus can crack straight into the story. From a flying car, to a breathless Quidditch game, and the final showdown, the film runs from one exhilarating set-piece to another.

But the luxurious running time gives all the characters room to develop. Daniel Radcliffe has grown (literally) into the role and the interplay between the three leads is convincing and heartfelt.

Kenneth Branagh is smugness personified as Professor Lockhart and Jason Isaacs is suitably malicious as Lucius Malfoy.

The film is long and the dark tone and genuine scares may make it unsuitable for young children.

But that is probably why watching adults will enjoy it.

If you have children, chances are you'll have to watch this. Be thankful it's very good.

HE HAS waited impatiently for twelve long months.

He watched the DVD of the first film 'about a million times', and he counted down the days till his hero in glasses returned.

Then, thanks to his dad Mark phoning for tickets on Monday, eight year old Andrew Salter, of Great Cornard, became the first member of the public to enter a cinema screen at the UGC to see Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

He was presented with a free bag of popcorn and a special Harry Potter munchbox, full of special sweets.

Andrew, who goes to Wells Hall Primary School at Great Cornard, was also given the job of starting the film, under the watchful eye of the UGC's manager Ron Littlewood.

Afterwards he said: "I really liked it. It was much better than the first one, but it was scarier as well."

His favourite bit was "the bit after Harry said diagonally rather than Diagon Alley" and he couldn't wait to see it again.

"I'm going to tell all my friends to go and see it," he said.

It seems likely that they will all be going anyway.