Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

a review by William the Bloody

For those unfamiliar, a brief history. Harry Potter's parents were killed by an evil wizard known as Voldemort. The last thing his mother Lily did before she died was shield her baby from the attack, and as a result, the attack rebounded onto Voldemort and he was reduced to next to nothing. Harry was safe, with the exception of a small scar on his forehead. Concerned higher-ups in the wizarding community placed Harry in the care of his Aunt and Uncle. Unfortunately for Harry, the relations of his strive towards normalcy, and therefore, Harry grew up not knowing of his extraordinary past and possible future that awaited him. Harry's Aunt and Uncle were well aware of what he may turn into, and wasted no effort into belittling him at every turn. When Harry receives acceptance into the exclusive wizard school Hogwarts, his life changes for ever. Prisoner of Azkaban is the third installment of the Harry Potter set, and likewise, his third year at Hogwarts.

As Harry starts his third year, he learns that a murderer has escaped from the wizard prison of Azkaban, and no one had ever achieved such a feat before. It seems that this wizard, Sirius Black, is responsible for the death of Harry's parents and has broken out to finish what he started. Azkaban guards known as Dementors are floating everywhere, but especially Hogwarts as everyone believes Black will make attempt on Potter's life while at school. But as usual, there is more to the Black case than meets the eye, and with the help of a new tool, the Marauder's Map, it looks as though he may actually be innocent. But as the kids already know, knowing something and proving something are two different things entirely.

The Good: Alfonso Cuaron takes over directing duties and man does he impress! He added a giant clock to the Hogwarts layout, and did it ever fit right in! Terrific camera movement and effects abound! Of course there was a new actor in the role of Dumbledore due to the death of Richard Harris, the previous actor, but he did a fine job. It was a slightly different take, a little more lively, but still good. The kids are growing up, but still doing the same wonderful job, and still impressive to have the same cast on a part 3 movie. Composer John Williams returns and does his usual Oscar-worthy work. This film stands out from the previous installment for being quite darker than its predecessors, and that doesn't bother me one bit, in fact it's great. The animation of Buckbeak was wonderful. I'm usually the first to gaffaw at CGIs but I gotta give props here; he blended right in. The Dementors were just as good, effect wise. Gary Oldman was his usual great self. Love that guy.

The Bad: There were a lot of cuts from the book. I mean I know since I read them that Professor Lupin had a hand in the creation of the Marauder's Map, but if you didn't read it then you don't. Seriously, it would have taken 1 minute at the end, and this movie is already the shortest of the three. Also cut was some more Quidditch I believe. It didn't really effect my enjoyment, but some people like that stuff. Another dreadful exemption was that the old pals of Lupin's, Sirius Black, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew and the explanation behind their being animangi, and what Harry's dad's form was and how dreadfully significant that is to his Patronus conjuring in order to fend off the Dementors. But I'm a continuity snob. And ALSO with the continuity snobbery, there was a tricky matter involving an animagus. There's a guy who goes from animal to man and back again. When he switched from animal to man, he suddenly has clothes on. okay, fine. But then when he goes back to being the animal, he shrinks OUT of his clothes. If he leaves his clothes behind when he changes, where do the come from when he turns back? Doesn't add up, I tell you!

Overall, I found it very enjoyable, maybe even more so than its predecessors. It had a wonderfully dark feeling and Harry's getting more and more pissed off. The new giant clock and director are superb additions and the whole cast did a great job.

A