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Review

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Director

Alfonso Cuarón

Year

2004

Rating

Reviewed by

Gon Curiel a.k.a. Groucho

Review date

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

I had already reviewed the third installment of the Harry Potter movie series and back then I stated that I loved it even though I had disliked the first one and only barely liked the second one. The difference from back then and this day is that now I have read the books, so I felt that I must rewrite my review, though I’m happy to announce that my opinion hasn’t changed a bit: as of now (Janary, 2006), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is by far the best movie of the bunch, a true cinematic experience that’s both awe-inspiring and totally addictive as it cares both to create a magical world and to involve us in its thrilling story.

It helps that the book is also considered by most the best of the series so far, but I must say I don’t see how that should affect the movie directly. I merit screenwriter Steven Kloves and director Alfonso Cuarón for making it such a great movie. They completely reinvented the concept and turned the (so far) longest book into the shortest movie, not exactly skipping anything but instead realizing what works in a movie and what does not, and leaving the soul intact. Kloves went so far as adding stuff that wasn’t in the book in order to make the movie work better. I must say he did it good! The third Harry Potter film is a triumph.

I have always admired my fellow Mexican Cuarón, and I knew that he was the best for the job; a couple of his previous films were so magical it was unbearable. I was in for the ride no matter what, and it paid off amazingly. The film immediately immerses the viewer in the Harry Potter universe. Magic can be breathed in the air and seen in every direction. Somehow, the filmmakers managed to convey a magical piece made of magical pieces, such as production design, photography, music, and performances. It makes you go back to the previous films and realize that those were pretending to be magical, but this one really is. That’s how good it works!

The story has Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), now 13, going back to Hogwarts and finding it in a grim situation as it’s surrounded by Dementors who expect to catch Azkaban fugitive Sirius Black (Gary Oldman). Dementors are ghostly creatures who suck the happiness out of anyone who steps in their way; the perfect prison guards. Black has the worst reputation, as he allegedly killed many people on the day that baby Harry was attacked by Lord Voldemort. Now that he’s escaped, it seems he’s set on getting Harry.

But Harry is not about to stay hidden to evade Black, he’s becoming a brave and reckless young man quite sure of what he wants, so when he learns about Black’s past, he decides not to keep his arms crossed. Unbearable revelations never stop coming.

The story beautifully links events from the previous installments and becomes a clear portal into the next, while being complete and satisfying on its own. In this masterfully crafted story by J.K. Rowling, new characters become key players: new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) and Divination Professor Trelawney (Emma Thompson).

These two newcomers do a great job, as does Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore. Though Harris’s wisdom and warmth are sorely missed, Gambon provides strength and decisiveness to the part that gives it a fresh turn. In truth, Gambon made the character his own, which was way better than imitating his predecessor. As for Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, he’s just indescribable and scarily believable!

But nothing like seeing the good old cast evolving so naturally. The kids are better than ever, particularly Radcliffe in his first real amiable performance. The rest—Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Christie, etc.—excel as always, with Rickman making the most of his juicy part.

Regarding the music, there could be no happier news that John Williams coming back in full form to do the score of this one. He worked on the previous two, and created some classic tunes, but for the second one he wasn’t fully available so his score wasn’t only his work and it showed. Here he came back with a vengeance, adding some more classic tunes and turning every musical moment into an unforgettable one. He even adapted a fragment of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” as a song in one scene. His work is quite up to accompany the Bard’s.

All in all, a truly awesome movie experience that’s well worth living!

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

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Other reviews of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004): Morris

Review

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Director

Alfonso Cuarón

Year

2004

Rating

Reviewed by

José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris

Review date

Thursday, June 10, 2004

As you may know by now, I am a big Harry Potter fan. I’ve read the first three books (I’ll read the fourth sometime during the next two years before the next movie is released) and I love everything about J.K. Rowling’s world. The first two movies were good, but the third one is spectacular. Each has gotten better and better, just as the books, and I’m glad Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón took over from Chris Columbus, because everything is better in this installment.

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are back for another year at Hogwarts, except this time Harry’s life is in danger. As it happens, murderer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) just escaped from Azkaban’s prison and is looking for Harry…

You know, I knew this movie would be different from frame one. The way the WB logo appears and the camera reaches Harry’s room as he’s doing something under the sheets and how the light then goes back to show the title of the movie, I mean, they had me at hello… literally. Then the action gets into full gear with the rather cartoonish bus sequence. From then on it’s pure, unabashed excitement.

I read the book and I know there’s a lot of stuff that didn’t end up in the movie. Harry hints at a love interest, for instance, and the Marauder’s map actually has a very important history. Never mind, this is the way a Harry Potter movie should be done. Not every word in the book has to appear in the movie, since, after all, they’re different mediums. The movie moves at a lightning pace, always hinting at things, giving us clues, enhancing the suspense until the last 30-45 minutes, which, to put it mildly, are brilliant, just perfect!

I credit the success of the movie to the new director. Cuarón certainly knows what he’s doing. He understands his characters and gives them individual moments to really show what they’re going through. Harry is now 13 and is becoming a man real fast. He still resents his parents’ murder and is trying to deal with that loss while growing up at the same time. His relationship with newly-appointed Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) is quite touching, as both parts try to deal with secrets that hurt.

Cuarón is also able to bring this movie with the magic the two previous ones lacked. In this movie Hogwarts finally comes to life. You will not see more beautiful landscapes this year than the ones shown here, nor more beautiful creatures. There’s at least one scene that literally left me breathless, which has Harry flying the hippogriff for the first time. That’s the reason I love movies. And the imagination that went into this movie is immense. Just watch how beautifully the seasons are portrayed through the whomping willow. Or how wondrous the sets are this time around. Or the mere sight of the dementors. In a few words, the cinematography is extraordinary, the special effects flawless and the direction impeccable. Loved how Cuarón moves the camera a lot to give each scene the exact feeling it needs.

It also helps that John Williams delivers a knockout score, easily surpassing his own previous work by adding a more intimate feel to it and using new ancient-sounding instruments.

And yes, believe it or now, I have finally forgiven Daniel Radcliffe for his rather limited acting chops. Cuarón is what he needed, and even though he hasn’t become a great actor, at least his performance is never distracting and is very good at some crucial points. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, in the meantime, continue to steal the spotlight with their immense charm and talent. Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith and Robbie Coltrane are all back for the ride. And new additions include Michael Gambon (excellent as a hipper Dumbledore), Emma Thompson (hilariously over-the-top), Julie Christie (barely there), Julie Walters (always a pleasure), David Thewlis (great addition!!!) and Gary Oldman (sinister and right-on).

A magical experience in every sense of the word! I want to see it again and again and again!

“Well well, Lupin. Out for a little walk... in the moonlight?”

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Other reviews of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004): Groucho