24 out of 24 people found this review helpful.
A Must See For ALL Harry Potter Lovers
Date of Review: Jul 4, 2004
The Bottom Line: GO see it.. Absolutely fantastic movie.
Harry Potter is 13 in this third movie based on the globally-popular series of books by J.K. Rowling, and the movie itself seems to be entering adolescence, darker themes, darker images, and darker emotions.
The first two movies were competently directed by Chris Columbus, with brilliant production design and outstanding attention to detail, making sure that the books passionate fans were happy but playing it safe.
For the first two years, Harry has spent most of his time being grateful to be rescued from his awful relatives, the Dursleys, amazed at all the magic around him, and resolute in his commitment to loyalty and integrity. But now he is beginning to get angry. He is growing up and feeling everything more sharply and deeply, especially injustice in general and the loss of his parents in particular.
This year, when life with his aunt and uncle gets to be too much for Harry, even for summer vacation from Hogwarts, he packs up and leaves -- after extracting some revenge on a nasty relative. Soon he is back at Hogwarts school, where some scary creatures called Dementors, guards at the wizard prizon of Azkaban are there to seek the first-ever escaped prisoner, Sirius Black. He is the one who betrayed Harry's parents to Valdemort, and he may be on his way to Hogwarts to kill Harry.
Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers are to the Harry Potter books what drummers are to Spinal Tap -- they don't last long. This year's teacher is Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), whose kind eyes and melancholy air make him a good friend for Harry. Harry's first friend, Hagrid, is now teaching the magical creatures class, introducing the students to a hippogriff (a sort of flying bird/horse) and Professor Trelawny (Emma Thompson) is a professor of fortune telling who is so focused on the future that she is not very tuned in to what is going on in the present. The Hogwarts chorus sings "Something wicked this way comes" as the camera swoops in, and you don't need to be Professor Trelawny to tell you that they're on to something.
When the hippogriff injures Harry's adversary, Draco Malfoy, it gives ammunition to those who oppose the headmaster, Professor Dumbeldore (now played by Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris). The hippogriff is sentenced to death. The Azkaban guards, called Dementors, have come to Hogwarts looking for Black, and every time Harry sees them, he faints. They dissolve any happy thoughts of people in their path, and Harry, who has known greater sadness than anyone else in his class, is the most vulnerable. Harry has to find a way to save the hippogriff and protect himself from Black and from the Dementors. His friend Hermione seems to be behaving strangely, especially when it comes to entrances and exits. And he still has to cope with his potions teacher, Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) and the rest of his schoolwork.
The next movie is underway with the same cast but yet another director, Mike Newell and should be out next year. And Rowling has promised two more books. I can't wait.
Families who enjoy this movie should read all of the Harry Potter books.I hope you enjoy watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, cause me and my family surely did.
