Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2-Disc Widescreen Edition) (Harry Potter 3)

Media:	DVD
Directed by:	Alfonso CuarÃ³n
Starring:	Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson (II)
Release date:	23 November, 2004
List price:	~~$19.98~~
Our price:	$12.99 that is 35% off!

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2-Disc Widescreen Edition) (Harry Potter 3)

Average rating: Stars

entertaining and mature

Finally, a Harry Potter movie that feels like a movie.

I didn't think the first two movies were bad, but just stilted in terms of how they were filmed. This one flows beautifully, with lush cinematography and scenes that uplift you (I'm thinking especially of the scene where Harry flies on the back of the hippogriff, with John Williams' brilliant music in the background). The acting of Radcliffe, Grint and Watson has also improved from the prior films, and the supporting cast of eccentric adults is just as delicious.

Don't expect the movie to be so faithful to the book, though, especially in some of the final action sequences and in the interactions between Harry and his friends. Hermione especially has little of the vulnerability that she displays in the book; also, in the Time-Turner sequence with Harry, she dominates nearly everything, though in the book it's the two of them running against time in more of a partnership, drawing from each other's strengths. The movie also introduces two important elements from the book - the Marauders' Map and Harry's patronus - without truly delving into their signficance or explaining it, something it should have done for the sake of plot integrity.

Still, I loved it, as a wondrous movie, a great flight of the imagination.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2-Disc Widescreen Edition) (Harry Potter 3) - Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and more

Magic at Hogwarts!

The greatest magical feat by the Harry Potter world is that it has made readers out of millions of children of all ages. It doesn't take a wizard to know that means the stories would be interpreted for the big screen. The first two films in the series came across well, each a pretty but overly-plotty document of the book. The films tended to be slavish to their appropriate books which resulted in a two and a half hour running time. Of course, fanatics of the books would take the opposite view, that the films were lacking as elements of the books were abridged or eliminated. As the books double or triple in size, the filmmakers have to face facts. These movies are going to have to abridge the stories not only better, but more. And the more that is cut, the angrier fans will get.

Hail to the third film, under the helm of director Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien). We are now flying the most streamlined broom yet. Little time spent on introduction; the story comes across more focused, less episodic, darker and scarier.Most importantly, this film best captures the fun of the books.

The superb cast remains intact here with the exception of Michael Gambon filling in Dumbledore's shoes, vacated by the passing of Richard Harris. His Dumbledore is a different take on the role. He comes across a bit younger, not as wise, sort of a 120 year old flower child. Emma Thompson joins the cast as Professor Trelawney, her coke-bottle glasses worth many a laugh. David Trewlis takes on the duties of the abandoned Defense Against the Dark Arts professorship, a job that always comes under scrutiny within each Potter story. Finally, and most relevant to the entire series is the introduction of Sirius Black, portrayed by perennial lunatic Gary Oldman. He is a welcome addition to the legend.

As expected, the special effects are better this time around, less rushed and already established. Beyond that the darker, grainier cinematography and creative camera work make the film less pristine, more real. After the third film, you have a much better idea the dangers of Quittich.

The adaptation of J.K.Rowling's storyline by Steve Kloves is a marked improvement on the first two, successfully eliminating more details without hindering the story process in any way. (Calls for scenes to add depth are erroneous, that's what the book is for). The story hinges on time and time travel and is well executed on screen. The largest weakness here involves a large important battle between a dog and a werewolf, neither of which are fully introduced into the story until late in the film.

One of the most amazing elements in the whole film series is watching the three young leads, Daniel Ratcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Gint, grow up... quicker than any potion or spell would allow.

The bonus materials in this particualy disc are hit and miss. Most valuable are interviews with cast and crew but the world could do without the ridiculous shrunken head as a running theme.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and more - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2-Disc Widescreen Edition) (Harry Potter 3)

Monsieur Harry Potter

I still like the first Harry Potter better than the second and the third. In this 3rd DVD, it's good that the story has some twists and turns. I kept asking myself, "How in the world did Hermione appear in the classroom when she wasn't there a second ago?" But in the end of the story everything is cleared up (as most of the stories are cleared up). Funny how there's a magical continuity from 1, 2, & 3 when at the end of each story, the mystery/problem is always solved. There's no, "That's the end?" kind of reaction.