June 7, 2004 -- “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the latest, and best in the series of films based on the wildly popular books by J.K. Rowling and screenplays adapted by Steven Kloves. The first two films were good, solid films, but they were slow, plodding films that came up a bit short in the visual imagination department. Renowned Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón (“Y tu mamá también”) takes over the helm from Chris Columbus (who remains as this film's producer), and the new director is a big improvement. The story is also more stripped-down and action-oriented. It is a long movie (142 minutes), but the faster pace makes it seem a lot shorter than the first two Potter films.

As in the first two films, this one is loaded with acting talent. In addition to the fine actors reprising their roles from the first two films, Emma Thompson of “Love Actually” brightens up the screen as the delightfully nerdy Professor of Divination Sybil Trelawney, Gary Oldman of “Hannibal” gives a chilling performance as convicted killer Sirius Black, David Thewlis of “Seven Years in Tibet” gives a warm, compelling performance as Professor Lupin, veteran actress Julie Christie of “Troy” has a bit part as innkeeper Madame Rosmerta, veteran actor Robert Hardy (“All Creatures Great and Small”) sparkles in the small role of Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and Timothy Spall of “The Last Samurai” has a nice bit part, too. Michael Gambon of “Open Range” steps in and seems to effortlessly inhabit the role of Albus Dumbledore, popularized by the late, great Richard Harris. Other returning characters include Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), the deliciously menacing Professor Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), and bratty student Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton).

This story, as previous ones, takes place mostly at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where Potter and his fellow student witches and wizards proceed to get into a lot of trouble. In this case, trouble comes in the form of murderer Sirius Black, who has escaped from Azkaban prison. Azkaban Dementors, who are supposed to prevent escapes, are dispatched to Hogwarts to protect the school. The Dementors, who suck the souls out of their victims, are on the lookout for Sirius Black, but they are also a threat to the students, Potter in particular. The rumor is that Black is on his way to Hogwarts to kill Potter, and that he was involved in the murder of Potter's parents.

Although this Potter film has a more sombre, threatening, dramatic story that puts the students in more serious danger, it starts off light enough with Potter turning a woman into a balloon, and then getting a ride on a magic bus. There is a good deal of humor injected into the film now an then. There are also lots of wonderful effects shots, like the flights of the Hippogriff (also spelled Hippogryph), a half-horse, half-eagle creature, the animated murals at Hogwarts, the bird-eating tree, and lots of other fanciful stuff. The visual imagination on display in this film is head and shoulders above the first two films. The story is told less as an illustration of the book and more in cinematic terms. Here, we get the feeling that this is a film in its own right, not just an entertainment exercise in service to a book. This film also benefits from the fine cinematography of Michael Seresin (“Domestic Disturbance”). Seresin, who was not involved in the first two films, uses a number of unusual camera angles, including a compelling straight down shot from above of people on a stairway, in the film. Here's a quote from my review of a previous Potter film which discusses the book versus film point in more detail:

“As to whether or not it is as slavishly devoted to reproducing the book as the first film, I don't know. I read the book before seeing the first film and I wasn't about to make that mistake again. It spoils the enjoyment of the film if you know every single line of dialogue and every plot turn before you see it on the screen for the first time ... My Online Film Critics Society colleague Harvey O'Brien has even raised the question is it a film or just an illustrated book? Harvey feels that the films are so tied to the books in this series that the two films have yet to achieve their own identity or any real level of uniquely cinematic expression.” This third movie seems to have taken that next step. It rates an A.

For more information on this film, including marauder's map, daily prophet (trailer for “The Polar Express,” character and crew notes, video clips), trailer, message boards, downloads, newsletter, games, wireless, click on this link to the official home page of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

Copyright © 2004 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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