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| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban |
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  (8/10)
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Runtime: 140 |
| Public Rating: 7.73 (180 votes) |
Director: Alfonso Cuaron |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: Fantasy/Adventure |
Year: 2004 |
| Writer(s): Steve Kloves, based on the novel by JK Rowling |
| Distributor: Warner Bros. |
| Reviewed by: Nate Anderson |
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Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Julie Walters, and Michael Gambon.
Some of the people who see Prisoner of Azkaban may cry foul since it deviates a bit from the previous films and a few things are left out of the film that were in the book. All I can say is, lighten up. The movie is simply based on the book, and besides all the important elements are there from the beginning with Harry practicing magic at night but always stopping right before his Uncle bursts in to the end, where the credits are done on the Marauder's Map.
Of course, our three young heroes Harry, Ron and Hermoine (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson) have grown and matured a bit since we've seen them last, Ron most of all. Also, taking the place of the late Richard Harris is Michael Gambon in the role of Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore and he manages quite well with the role not going too far from Richard Harris' performance but at the same time making the role his own.
The other new additions to the cast are Gary Oldman, playing the escaped prisoner of Azkaban Sirius Black, a barely recognizable Emma Thompson as the Divination teacher Prof. Trelawny who naturally seems to predict doom for everyone, and of course, David Thewlis as Professor Lupin, the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher.
New to the director's chair is Alfonso Cuaron and his presence is definitely known. He really gives Hogwarts a breath of fresh air adding a much more visual flair to the proceedings making the film a joy to look at along with the good story. Also, we see a new look for our heroes, in more normal everyday clothes and less of the school robes, which is welcome change in my opinion. Overall, the change has been good for the series and adds a bit more to the look than what Chris Columbus gave us with the previous two films.
The film sticks pretty close to the source material, although it moves briskly through the most important aspects of the book to stay as close to a two hour running time as possible. Despite the rumors, there is a Quidditch game in this film (although it’s in a storm that looks like it blew in from The Day After Tomorrow).
The main plot of the story is that Sirius Black, a known supporter of Lord Voldemort (the worst wizard known, I guess. They dare not even speak his name), has escaped from Azkaban prison and is apparently the first to do so. The teachers and others are concerned that he’s going to come directly for Harry Potter since it was Harry who finally defeated Lord Voldemort, when he was a little baby no less.
However, the plot is similar to the previous two, with Harry finding himself in jeopardy during the school year. It's the little touches that really make the film come alive, most notably the bond that develops between Prof. Lupin and Harry. Afraid of the Dementors (guards of Azkaban prison that look like the Ringwraiths from Lord of the Rings) that have been sent to guard Hogwarts in case Sirius shows up there, Lupin agrees to help Harry learn a spell to repel them. It is also during this time that it is revealed to Harry that Lupin knew Harry's parents.
With a cast of this prestige, it is only natural to expect good performances and there are some really good ones. Alan Rickman gives an interesting performance as Professor Snape. His sour demeanor and general grumpiness are oddly amusing and the way that Snape talks really slowly and drawn out shows all the more how much fun he’s having with the role. Emma Thompson, playing the daffy Professor Trelawny seems to be having plenty of fun in the wacky role. David Thewlis makes a wonderful Lupin, showing the caring and smart aspects of the character so well. He truly is the best teacher that they have had at that school so far in the series. And the three kids, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint along with Tom Felton as their nemesis Draco Malfoy, have grown both physically as well as actors and have definite improvements since the first film.
There are nice twists to the story and everything moves at a brisk enough pace so that no one really gets bored and before you know it, the 140-minute running time has blown past. The stylistic changes breathe fresh air into the series, but a slightly longer running time would have cleared up some plot points that seemed rushed. Nonetheless, it is a wonderful installment and definitely recommended.
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