Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman
Directed by Alfanso Cuarón
Rating: B
Harry Potter (Radcliffe) returns to Hogwarts for a magical third year. He's prevented He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named from obtaining the Sorcerer's Stone, saved Ginny (Bonnie Wright) in the Chamber of Secrets, and now he has a notorious killer who broke out of a high security prison after him. Not Voldemort but Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), his godfather. With yet another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year, Professor Lupin (Thewlis) teaches Harry how to produce a Patronus Charm. Dementors (cloaked figures that guard the wizarding prison and tend to suck the happiness from people) have been affecting Harry especially. Can Harry survive another year at Hogwarts?
A new director for a new Harry Potter movie. Out of all the movies, Cuarón was one of the worst directors for this series. While the main scenes were kept in this adaptation from the book, the movie was not satisfying. With a new headmaster in place after Richard Harris' death, Michael Gambon was recruited. Gambon portrayed a exceptional Professor Dumbledore but he lacked the finesse needed. Harris portrayed a wise Dumbledore while Gambon took on a more energetic role.
While six-second scenes of the Whomping Willow was significant in portraying the changing of the seasons, I feel like Cuarón could have used those seconds more wisely. The changing of the seasons did not further the plot so why not use the extra time for something else? Perhaps comedic relief or some suspense. One may have noticed that Prisoner of Azkaban has a darker feel to it than the two previous movies. The lighting isn't as bright as seen in the first two movies. Harry himself looks different with shorter hair and I believe his hair looks browner than the darker shade shown previously.
The acting was slightly better as Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint have by now got accustomed to the art of acting. I thought this movie deserved a B because of all the movies, it was one of the weaker ones. Prisoner of Azkaban was one of my favorite books so I was disappointed with this one. However, I did enjoy this movie when I looked past the differences. I've accepted by now the fact that the books are genius on their own so the movies should be looked at in a different light. On the contrary, this movie should not be skipped because it is good and how can you miss the introduction of two marauders?
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