Directed by Alfonso Cuaron (A Little Princess, Great Expectations, Y Tu Mama Tambien) “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” blends nice style with amazing visual effects in this third installment that clocks in at approximately two hours and 22 minutes. Filmmakers add some new styles and elements while enhancing plot elements and characters to keep audiences happy and they succeed. Cuaron adds some stylish circle shaped fades and orchestrates a great sequence near the end that compliment a great sequence stressing time.
Screenwriter Steven Kloves (Wonder Boys) continues to adapt the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling and will have plenty of more writing with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, due in 2005 (will be directed by Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral), and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, due in 2007. John Williams makes a welcome return to produce the musical score.
This time around Harry discovers more about his past while an escaped prisoner named Sirius Black makes headlines. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson all return as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The standard beginning hijinx at the Dursley family house, Harry’s current guardians, is shorter but more intense as one of Harry’s mean aunt’s makes a visit. Rival classmate Draco Malfoy, now reduced to a cowardly brat, takes a back seat while strange new creatures called dementors strike fear into the students as they are hired to protect Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from escapee Sirius Black.
After a long break, Gary Oldman returns in a great performance as Sirius Black. Michael Gambon (Gosford Park) replaces the late Richard Harris as Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, in a slightly more offbeat tone, but still passes on important knowledge to his young hero students. Alan Rickman (DieHard) gets more screen time than the last installment as Professor Snape, while David Thewlis makes a great impression as Harry’s new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Maggie Smith returns as Professor McGonagall while Hagrid, played by Robbie Coltrane, moves up the Hogwart’s ranks to become an associate professor.
Emma Thompson is almost unrecognizable as Professor Sybil Trelawney and Julie Christie plays Madame Rosmerta, but their limited roles seem introductory.
The shorter, more character driven action sequences include a rain soaked Quiddich match and a great beginning bus ride through England. Filmmakers blend the special effects with the actual characters and settings extremely well. Differences between the film and book, such as the sequences involving a special map and the town of Hogsmead (Didad Alley lies on the outskirts of this town), may always disappoint some viewers, but the film still works very well overall. Maybe you’ll see an extended version on home video that includes scenes that appear in the book.
A unique plot twist, intelligent characters and a consistent high level of acting may warrant several viewings of this solid film. Recommended (***) and rated PG for scares, violence and mild language. This film would have been a largely average entertainment experience without the great level of acting. Be sure to watch the ending credits for some additional tidbits.
