Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets is "darker and funnier" than the first film in the Harry Potter series, and may even prove to be more popular.

Returning director Chris Columbus told the British Broadcasting Corporation that when he asks children which is their favourite story in the series, they rarely name The Chamber of Secrets. Screenings of the latest Harry flick in London and New York have already drawn swarms of screaming fans overcome with Pottermania.

In the two-and-a-half hour movie (which runs nine minutes longer than the first one) Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, returns for a second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But studies soon come second, as Harry tries to solve a dangerous secret that has everyone at the school petrified.

The red-haired Ron, played by Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, who stars as schoolmate Hermione Granger, help Harry on his quest to find out about the Chamber of Secrets that has everyone horrified.

Columbus describes the new film as "darker and funnier" than the first, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , saying Harry has more "character and strength" in the second movie.

"By the time we started shooting the second movie, there was a whole level of confidence and ease, and the ability to even do some improvisation, which we had never done before," he said.

Columbus and scriptwriter Steve Kloves again stay close to J.K. Rowling's book, promising not to disappoint die-hard Muggle fans. This time, however, the movie will offer scarier scenes, including a bloody battle between Harry and a huge monster.

There are also giant spiders, a dastardly duel with a serpent, more mention of You Know Who (otherwise known as Voldemort), and of course, an intense match of Quidditch -- that wizard game whose popularity in the Muggle world can only parallel hockey in Canada and football in England.

Critics say despite its length, the film offers a spark lacking in the previous film. It keeps up the pace with action-packed sequences, dazzling effects, creepy creatures and much humour despite the slightly darker tone.

The cast of the latest film includes the addition of Kenneth Branagh, who plays the self-absorbed and primping Gilderoy Lockhart, Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts.

As well, many fans will be looking forward to meeting Dobby, a house-elf with bat-like ears and tennis ball-sized green eyes, who hits himself when he disobeys his master. He tries to warn Harry about dangers at Hogwarts, telling him "history is to repeat itself."

Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane are back to reprise their roles. But it's unclear how many more Harry Potter films they'll sign up for. The death of Richard Harris in October has left open the pivotal role of Professor Dumbledore and raised questions about who might replace him.

Actors being named in reports as possible replacements include Harry Robinson, who was his double for a number of scenes in the second film. Two actors from Lord of the Rings are also being considered -- Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf the wizard, and Christopher Lee, Saruman the wizard.

As for child actors Radcliffe, Grint and Watson, there is a possibility for them to star in all seven films in the Harry Potter series since the kids in the books get progressively older, Columbus told the BBC. Books five through seven haven't been written yet.

All three actors say they are coming back for the third film. Radcliffe said there is plenty of time to decide about subsequent movies, but Grint has already said he's ready to go again.

"I've always wanted to do this kind of thing and I just really love it," he told The Canadian Press. "It's better than I thought it would be."

Watson is happy with the experience so far. "I don't even know if they're going to make a fourth or a fifth or whatever, but it's been a really, really good experience and I've really enjoyed them, so yeah, I suppose," she said.

Columbus has already said he won't direct a third Harry Potter installment but will stay on to produce Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It starts shooting in January, under the direction of Y Tu Mama Tambien director Alfonso Cuaron, and is scheduled to open in theatres in the summer of 2004.

The first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, was second only to Titanic among the highest grossing films of all time, pulling in $975 million US worldwide.