The Chamber of Secrets follows the book
Unlike the following movies in the series, where things were increasingly cut out, The Chamber of Secrets faithfully followed its source material. It did a great job bringing to life what Rowling wrote.
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The Argument
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the most faithful adaptation. The plot and important details are loyal to the book. Director Chris Columbus managed to keep the film child-appropriate while setting the stage for the darker tone of the future films.[1]
The Chamber of Secrets also introduces several important characters. This is the movie when we first meet Dobby and when he becomes a free elf. We also are first introduced to Arthur Weasley and see the Burrow for the first time. This is also when we learn more about Voldemort, see a Horcrux, and learn that Harry has similarities to Voldemort such as the ability to speak parseltongue.
Finally, Chamber of Secrets is funny, (Gilderoy Lockhart in particular) and has added suspense and action in the Chamber of Secrets with the Basilisk. It does a great job bringing to life what Rowling wrote.
Counter arguments
At just under 3 hours, the movie is too long. The pacing is slow and there is a lack of the whimsy seen in the first film. This results in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets being boring. It is unable to hold people’s attention unless they are a devout Harry Potter fan. Making it less faithful to the book by removing some of the content would have made it better to watch.
Proponents
Premises
[P1] It is the most faithful adaptation.
[P2] Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the best Harry Potter movie.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1-P2]: It is too long. They should have removed content from the book.