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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
- Color
- Closed-captioned
- Widescreen
- Dolby
Avg. Customer Review: 
 Things get darker for Harry Potter and his fans in this one
All I remembered about J.K. Rowling's novel "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" when I watched the movie was who Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) was in the Harry Potter world. Of course, it is hard not to remember that given the climax of the fifth book. But it is actually the fourth book that comes to mind because that was the novel where Rowling warned that things start to got significantly darker for our hero and it is clear that director Alfonso Cuarón has already sent the series off in that direction. Part of the look is visual, with Michael Seresin's cinematography given the old Hogwarts a new look, but there is also the fact that this is the shortest Harry Potter movie to date although each novel has been longer than its predecessors. Screenwriter Steve Kloves has streamlined the story so that the focus is on Harry dealing with the truth about how his parents were betrayed by a friend and sent to their deaths.There are not too many series were the main characters are children played by actors who are growing up as well (the norm is to just forget about the kids in the sequels, like they did in the "Jurassic Park" series), which also us a sense of how things look different. On the way back to his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) learns that Black has escaped from the infamous wizard's prison at Azkaban and that the vile Dementors, the scariest things we have seen to date, who guard the prison are now watching the gates of the school because Harry is his target. The "why" is even worse for Harry than the idea that there is once again somebody out there trying to kill him. Of course there is a new teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), who appears to like Harry; but you never can trust anybody in that particular post. The kids are also taking Divinations, which introduces them to Professor Sybil Trelawney (scene stealing Emma Thompson) and their friend Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) will actually be teaching the Care of Magical Creatures class. Those two are in on the primary action this time around, which leaves precious little time for Profesor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) to do anything, although as always we treasure every moment with Professor Snape (Alan Rickamn slowly milking the role of a lifetime for everything it is worth). The best part of "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is that in the climax (or should I say climaxes) right by Harry's side is Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), making sure there is one person who is up to speed on what is happening (at least as much as is possible given the massive plot complications in this one). Harry might have the raw talent, but Hermione has the smarts and this time she has ample opportunity to use them. There is no reason at this point to consider replacing any of the actors in the cast, young or old, except for the cold hard reality that has Michael Gambon now playing Albus Dumbledore. If it is all fixed, don't break it. But above all this one comes back to Rowlings, her story, and her characters. Learning magic is not easy and Harry still does not really understand that he is going to be a great wizard, mainly because he is too busy being angry at the world (and he will get a lot angrier in the next couple of movies). This is a story about second chances and not just for Harry (think about it). "Prisoner of Azkaban" is the least interesting of the three films, and the five books for that matter, in terms of the larger story, especially since what is being set up here is rally being done so Rowling can take it away. But if there is one thing that Cuarón convinces us with this film, it is that this is not a kid's story anymore, even if that was how Chris Columbus played it in the first two movies. Where the franchise needs to be careful is that this film has reduced both Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) to comic relief caricatures. Ron, who was so brave at the end of the first film, now gets to shake for fear at the drop of a hat so that we can laugh at him. The film suggests that Ron and Hermione are fated to pair up, but if he keeps acting like this she will have nothing to do with him. Meanwhile, Malfoy acts like a bully without doing anything particularly mean. At this point the difference between Malfoy and his henchboys Crabbe and Goyle is that Draco speaks, but then he usually ends up whining and running away. Yes, replacing a slap with a punch is an interesting upgrade from the book, but then the book sets it up as a small moment of satisfaction against Malfoy's war against Harry; the film treats it more as an element to be played out by the numbers. "Prisoner of Azkaban" ups the ante on the Harry Potter series, and all of the characters need to put all of their chips on the table from here on in.
The Best Yet.
This movie is truly "da bomb." Personally, I saw it three times in theaters and would gladly see it again. It is so astoundingly well-made, it outshines even the previous two Harry Potter films, both of which translated the novels to the screen in a nearly flawless manner; save that the Chamber of Secrets did not have half enough Snape screentime. Alfonso Cauron did an absolutely amazing job making this movie.
Daniel, Emma, and Rupert are noticably improving in their acting skills with age. All the kids look dramatically different in this film, not surprisingly, particularly Draco and Neville Longbottom.
The story flows from one part to the next so seamlessly that one doesn't even notice it is over two and a half hours in length. It is far more moving than the first two, with the Buckbeak execution scene and the Shrieking Shack scene standing out as poignant, suspenseful, and/or sad.
Our new Dumbledore is someone I feel we'll get used to. After all, the cast change couldn't exactly be helped! He struck me as looking very much like the old Albus, but was perhaps a bit too gruff.
Lupin, Sirius, Peter Pettigrew, and other new characters like Madame Rosemarta and Professor Trelawney (ESPECIALLY Professor Trelawney) were very well-cast. As always, Alan Rickman was the greatest aspect of the movie; his daunting, shadowy, compelling portrayal of the irresistible Severus Snape once again steals the entire show. One can only wait for the next time he enters the scene. His amazing voice during the Shreiking Shack scene, hallway scene with the Marauder's Map, and the delicious "How disappointing" and "page 394" really incite shivers and, if you're like me, melting.
But on the whole, "Prisoner of Azkaban" is a sure sign that the Potter movies are, like the books, only going to get better from here on out. This outstanding film is a treasure of moviemaking, with excellent effects and acting.
Best Movie of All Time
Alfonso Cuaron has created the best of all the Harry Potter movies. The acors and actressses have grown up and have done fantastic job. Steve Kloves has written an excellent screenplay and Alan Rickman is back and ready for action.
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