Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

All kids except one grow up, but the boy wizard from Privet Drive is thankfully not that one. For the "Harry Potter" franchise, if not simply providing outright entertainment for legions of fans worldwide, also is offering a welcome and evolving look into an unassuming child tapped with a dark legend (Not of his making) coming into his own. And, for perhaps the first time, the same can be said for the series as well.

In HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, the popular series gets the installment it deserves. Thanks in no small part to a whittled down and surprisingly funny script by Steve Kloves (Adapted from the novel by JK Rowling), pic benefits tremendously not just from source material but from bold, eclectic choice of Alfonso Cuaron as director. Handed over reigns from Chris Columbus, who gave "The Sorceror's Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets" an imaginative if heavy handed heart, the no less efficient and dazzling Cuaron injects some much needed soul to proceedings, breathing fresh life and the allure of mischief into franchise.

Which is not to impugn Columbus in the slightest. The first two chapters were enchanting enough but felt beholden to the tethered gods of Potter expectation--entertaining but windbag adaptations geared to keeping studio execs and Madam Rowling satisfied. With THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, Cuaron executes a near cinematic coup d'etat: an exciting sequel that succeeds by wisely catering to Harry himself. Under Cuaron's (The randy masterpiece "Y Tu Mama Tambien." See if you can catch the erotic homage in PRISONER) helm, this HARRY POTTER is a fine spun and wizardly coming of age tale with vision and energy along with humor and darkness to spare. Film should appeal to fans keen on the Hogwart adventures of Harry, Hermione and Ron, while excellent cast of veteran British actors should intrigue those not particularly familiar with or swept away by saga yet.

THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN gets its title from a mysterious, rogue Hogwarts alum named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman, the Lon Chaney of modern actors not afraid of make-up) arrested for his part in the murder of Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) parents. An uneasy dread looms over Harry's third year at Hogwarts as said Black manages to escape Azkaban and, evidence suggests, means to hunt down the young wizard with the granny glasses and lightning forehead scar.

In response, Hogwarts tightens up on security. Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon, replacing the late and sorely missed Richard Harris) implements a gaggle of Dementors-- raven cloaked apparitions that suck the souls out of wizards--to watch over Hogwarts lest Black sneaks his way in. New Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor Lupin (David Thewlis) becomes a confidante for Harry as well, teaching him spells to cast away his fears. And as always, what would another year at Hogwarts be without best friends Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint)? The future couple steadfastly accompany Harry in his efforts to ward off the lingering presence of the Dementors (Who take a fancy to Harry), and the dangerous threat of Black, whom Harry recklessly vows to challenge head on for betraying his parents. Rest of pic sensitively explores Harry's past, while tensions escalate to full blown confrontation between Harry, the illusive Black, Professor Lupin (Who has a nasty secret of his own), and a deadly colleague of Black's named Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall).

Hindsight can only show that the time was ripe for a Potter makeover. Before long the cherub faced Radcliffe, Watson and Grint of Hogwarts past will have disappeared into the abyss of adolescence. THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN finds the young thespians in the cauldron of teen-age limbo, especially Radcliffe and Watson, who take extraordinary charge in pic's curios and splendidly executed time travel final third. Radcliffe in particular infuses Harry with a passion laced with both the rage of loss and joy of youthful spirit. Sequence where Potter takes Buckbeak the Hippogriff for a joyride through Hogwarts estate is graced with the same soaring invincibility as King of the World motif in "Titanic." For the first time, we feel Radcliffe's Potter truly frustrated with living up to a legacy he never asked for. And yet at same time, the sense that Harry is learning to seize control of his destiny is encouraging, despite the vulnerability to the Dark Arts his legend has regrettably bestowed.

Naturally, Radcliffe gets excellent support. Thewlis is splendid as Lupin, a surrogate caregiver who takes Harry under his wing against presence of evil such as...himself. Alan Rickman's impeccably droll and spooky Snape is as always a most welcome addition to any Potter film. Emma Thompson is hilarious and barely recognizable as kooky divinations Professor Trelawney. As superb as Oldman is, development of Black arc is ultimately a let down. And Gambon, whose Dumbledore continues to lend crucial support and encouragement to Harry, cannot duplicate the benevolent and wise old sage essence which Harris brought to role. And isn't that Ian Brown in a cameo?

Film's production values are magnificent. Visual effects are more seamlessly bound into live action and less rough on the edges as in previous Potter installments (Harry's wild ride on a phantom bus through downtown London is a highlight). And at just over two and a quarter hours, THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN is considerably shorter than predecessors. Cuaron finds just the right mix of humor and frights to keep audience interest from waning, and there is a potent element of surprise and discovery in every scene as Harry's adventures unfold. While the resolution of the Sirius Black conflict feels like a wash out, and Peter Pettigrew nemesis is barely developed, the promise that these characters will be explored in future is consoling. Besides, the boldness of aforementioned time travel link more than makes amends.

An unorthodox but inspired choice of director, terrific acting and an involving story make HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN a thoroughly magical experience. It's refreshing to find a blockbuster series refuse to fly on auto pilot, but continue to ascend into new and surprising territory. Thanks to a stellar third chapter, the Harry Potter franchise finds itself on the brink of achieving a very special place in the annals of motion picture history.