Movie Review:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

by Lynn B.

Daniel Radcliffe got so challenged by one “soul sucking” scene that he almost fainted. Emma Watson was so enthralled by her girl-power scenes as Hermione that she wanted to shoot them “again and again”. “Prisoner of Azkaban” has had a dramatic effect on its young stars.

For the non-Potterized Muggle: Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), about to go into year three at Hogwarts, is still living with his cruel relatives. He’s moved from under the stairs to a room but when horrible Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris), visits and won’t stop putting him down, Harry’s new 13-year-old testosterone takes over and he blows her up like a balloon until she floats away! Then, threatened and fed up, Harry runs away but is picked up by a supernatural bus that takes him off to school.

At The Leaky Cauldron pub, Harry finds a student gathering in progress with Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and the perpetually-scared Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) present. The gang is threatened by some very frightening ghostly creatures on the way to school on the Hogwarts Express. At Hogwarts Harry learns that Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who is rumored to have been behind the murder of his parents, has escaped from the fearsome Azkaban prison and is coming for Harry even though the prison guards, the horrible grim reaper-style creatures called Dementors who attacked the train earlier, are guarding the school.

Harry must fight off the Dementors who wish to steal his soul and get to the bottom of Sirius Black’s part in his parent’s death. Hermione has her own problems with using a time travel device to attend several classes at once. Together with Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) the teens must also help Hagrid save the life of the newest magical creature in his menagerie, Buckbeak the Hypogriff when Draco Malfoy’s (Tom Felton) actions condemn it to death. Also in the mix is a mysteriously quiet new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at the school Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) who is helping the kids….or is he?

This installment of the “Potter” films is darker, more mysterious, moody and richer (just like the book, the fans tell me). There is also a good deal of both visual and spoken humor to lighten the otherwise very dark story. Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron has made the visuals match the mood with a spooky, more Gothic Hogwarts and some really creepy-looking Dementors. The CGI hippogriff Buckbeak is nothing short of miraculous as you can see every little feather on the flying beast’s body and the actors appear to really interact with him.

Daniel and Emma, have more depth and emotion to play and both prove that they have an bright acting future. Rupert isn’t in a great deal of the film but is still good at being Ron, especially in scenes in which he tries to deny an attraction for Hermione. Gary Oldman is his usual sinister self as Black but also comes off very well when we finally realize that he’s more friend than foe. Michael Gambon does a very good job of taking over the Dumbledore role from Richard Harris. He isn’t producing an identical copy of the actor but a tribute with his own nice little touches. Emma Thompson is hilarious as the coke-bottle-glasses-wearing Divination teacher at the school.

As usual, not being a reader of the novels, I was lost in sections of the film. The “Grim”, the Marauder’s map, Hermione’s time travel device, etc…. weren’t all that well-explained. I don’t think these films will ever “fill in the blanks” for those of us miserable muggles who aren’t obsessed by Potter-mania but, none-the-less, despite my confusion, I enjoyed the complexity of the story. I enjoyed this film a lot more than the first two. I liked seeing the young actors expand their character arcs. I liked Harry’s emotional journey, Hermione’s spunk and fire, Black’s fleshed out character as well as the eye-popping effects and wonderful, atmospheric cinematography.

Whether a “Harry” devotee or just a fan of great summer films, go see this one. You won’t be disappointed.

Rated PG-13 for frightening moments, creature violence and mild language.

Official Film Web Site - www.harrypotter.com