Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I haven't seen a theater that packed since Attack of the Clones. There's something about having people all around you, feeling it all along with you. Although I'd give the movie five stars, I'd have to give the crowd five stars just as much!

What better way to bring them in by the masses than with a tried and true Harry Potter film. With this being the third installment, we've had plenty of time to develop a feeling of caring for many of these characters, in the same way we did for Frodo and the gang.

I do believe there are some alleged inconsistencies between the movie and the book, between the movie and the previous two as far as that goes. But feel free to pick up on that discussion down at the Imdb.com message boards. In the meantime, whadiya say we get down to business.

The Prisoner of Azkaban is a decidedly darker film than its two relatively colorful counterparts. But along with that darkness comes this unexpected humor which might just sweep your crazy head off in the first ten minutes! That whole opening scene was like watching a combination of The Three Stooges and Willy Wonka.

Funny though it might be, that is the last straw for Harry Potter, who is fed up with his aunt and uncle mocking his parents. Harry goes up to his room, kicks his dresser, and collapses onto his bed with his head in his hands. Then he packs up and says that's it, I'm outta here. Next thing you know (after a very cool bus ride) he is back at Hogwarts for another term. And of course, a few more adventures.

Along with his two worthy comrades, Hermione and Ron, Harry has to keep a watchful eye because Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has just escaped prison and is supposedly coming to do away with him. If only I could begin to tell you how much more complicated it is than that...

The movie is nonstop action and suspense, with only the occasional stop to elaborate on something new or to elaborate on the truth about something old. I was reminded of the first movie (which I only saw once) many times with the moving staircases, talking paintings and the invisibility cloak.

So many little things about this film took me away like Calgon. Quidditch in the rain, flying horses with rooster heads, maps that tell you where everyone is going, and *gasp* time travel? I've died and gone to Heaven.

As adolescents, the chemistry between the leading trio is better than ever. Daniel Radcliffe (as Harry) still carries that childlike exuberance, even though at times I thought I was watching Peter Parker. Rupert Grint's career in comedy is as good as cemented if he keeps this up. And Emma Watson, what a doll. She has a few things up her sleeve, and could conceivably be the most integral character this time around.

David Thewlis turns in a sly performance as Professor Lupin. Alan Rickman's ever-ominous Snape was barely in this movie, but his scenes are always wonderfully unnerving. And Gary Oldman, hey, the guy kicks butt, almost as much as Sean Penn does.

Special effects were kept to a bare minimum, and most of them you hardly notice anyway. The "living tree" that kept killing birds and shaking its leaves (and the snow) off was awfully funny.

None of the music in particular jumped out at me, but then again, I was so engulfed by the relentless pace that I hardly even thought about it. You wanna talk about a quick 2.5 hours, this goes by so quick it's like watching an episode of "60 Minutes".

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban makes my top five so far for the year. Let's just hope there are at least five more!