The luxury of a sequel is that it allows a bit more freedom to the film maker and the storytellers.  There is no need for character development or establishment of groundwork, its already done so that we are allowed to jump right into the story.  In The Chamber of Secrets, Chris Columbus has taken J.K. Rowlings second tale in the Harry Potter series and turned it into yet another epic escape into the mind of a childs fantasies.  This time around, the subject matter is darker, the script (by award winning writer Steven Kloves) is heavier and thusly things are a bit more intense.  But aided by the marvelous effects, sets, costumes and design, this adventure is just as rousing and memorable as the first one, and shows that Columbus has not only laughed in the face of the sophomore jinx, but has cast a spell and raised the bar for others to come

As with the first film, familiarity will breed and control the level to which you like this movie, but it's not a requirement to have read the books.  However if you havent seen the original movie, you may be a bit out of sorts, which is to be expected.  The story builds upon the establishment of the first, as any good sequel should, but does not carbon copy, nor stray from the groundwork and successes

The passing of the legendary Richard Harris has left a huge hole in things, but not an insurmountable one (I can see Ian McKellan or someone of the like stepping in), no one can replace the great Harris's presence as he truly captured the essence of Dumbledore.  The addition of Branagh, a casting mistake in my initial thoughts, actually works quite well.  His snide arrogance and sarcasm, carried over from his Wild Wild West atrocity, plays perfectly along side his natural good looks and smile to bring Lockhart's true nature to life.

Comparison to Empire Strikes Back (solid story, darker elements exposed, no need for character development, allowed to delve into things) Strongest elements: loyalty to story, production design (Quidditch scene once again, flying car, Hogwarts gets more depth and exploration) strong supporting roles (Isaacs, Branagh) diminished role for Watson, least favorite of the four books, but still a strong cinematic effort, generates more anticipatory buzz for the next film; still maintains the childlike spirit, although children may become impatient as the visuals are a tad disturbing (spider scene) but balances with a story that will appeal more to adults while tapping into morals that apply to all (we are not defined by our abilities, but by our choices) The films mirror each other in a consistency and layout, just as the books do, this works for the film.  Some may criticize Columbus for his inclusion of too much, his length of story and such, but this is what lays the strong foundation that makes the film work.  There are no questions, no exclusions or no dangling storylines. 

Ultimately, the Chamber of Secrets an edgy, yet still youthfully exuberant  escape into the world of fantasy and magic, courtesy of Rowling’s mind and Columbus’s vision.  So often amidst the stress that reality presents, we need a respite from it all, and often the best way to do that is to hearken back to the days that brought us the most happiness.  With this second entry, the creative crew behind the film have built upon the success of that story, while expanding things through story and vision.  The progression of the tale is already known to those familiar with the story, but what makes this different from just a simple regurgitation in order to capitalize on a franchise, is the creativity put behind the production and the spirit of the actors and film makers.  With Chamber of Secrets, Columbus has taken the next step following the path of the predefined master of the fantasy franchise, George Lucas.  While it doesn’t quite achieve the magical amazement of the first film, it does take more chances and risks while expanding the horizons even more for the next chapter, helmed by Alphonso Cuaron.  That version takes the darkness to even deeper levels and thanks to Columbus and company, the transition should be seamless and natural thanks to this magnificent vision.