Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Something wicked this way comes.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Gary Oldman, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Richard Griffiths, Pam Ferris, Lenny Henry, Jim Tavare, David Thewlis, Tom Felton, Dawn French, Paul Whitehouse, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Running Time: 142 minutes
US MPAA rating: PGUK BBFC rating: PG
Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
In one of the most eagerly-awaited blockbusters of 2004, a now slightly-awkward-and-pubic-looking Daniel Radcliffe returns as Harry Potter, everyone's favourite speccy sorcerer.
Fans of the franchise will be happy to hear the majority of the same faces return to take up their familiar roles (with the notable exception of the late Richard Harris, whose part as the grizzled wizard Dumbledore is taken over by Michael Gambon). But it's all change elsewhere, with a new director, new focus, and new danger.
Helming this one is little-known Mexican honcho Alfonso Cuaron who, unlike predecessor Chris Colombus, chucks us straight in at the deep end. Unsure of who all the characters are? Unfamiliar with the first two films? Haven't read the books? Tough toadstools - this might run at well over two hours, but it doesn't wait around for anybody.
Even viewed as a stand-alone film in its own right, the plot is pretty tricky to make out. The basic premise is that a snarling baddie by the name of Sirius Black (Gary Oldman, playing it half Ming the Merciless and half Keith Richards) has escaped from the nick and is headed in the general direction of our Quidditch-playing Timmy Mallett look-a-like. Beyond sussing out that much, non-Potter aficionados can expect to be left scratching their heads as plot point after plot point go unexplained.
This is a much darker flick than the first two, and it's to its credit that it recognises the blooming adolescence of Harry and his chums (Rupert Grint and Emma Watson). They're not kids anymore, and as such appear to have discovered a collective rebellious streak - indeed, "fighting back" is a strong-running theme throughout the movie.
But by far and away the most impressive thing about this one is the special effects. Without being over-used, the visuals on display really push the boundaries and rank as the best I've seen in any live action picture.
Unfortunately, there's just no escaping the fact that, despite it's "kiddy flick" status, this is one confusing 140 minutes. It's got just about enough plus points to make it worth seeing - and plenty of you will anyway - but anyone expecting Cuaron to ease us nicely into things the way Columbus did should prepare themselves for a major culture shock.
It's Got: Werewolves, witches, broomsticks, Quidditch, Lenny Henry, and his missus.
It Needs: For the third film in a row, to make better use of Alan Rickman's Professor Snape, arguably the most interesting character in the whole thing.
Alternatives: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Summary: A visually exhilarating but virtually unfathomable hundred-mile-an-hour bare-back hippogriff ride. Baffled? You will be!
Review by Gary Panton
External Links
Official Web Site
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at the IMDB
Comments8 Comments |
| Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is easily my favorite of the three movies. With Alfonso Cuaron taking the reigns as director for the third installement of the Harry Potter series, Harry and the gang really begin to come into their own and the world of wizards and muggles truly begins to take on a flavor of its own. Many of the reviews I have read have faulted the movie for glossing over some of the details covered in the book, but one really needs to consider how the movie stands in the eyes of those who have not read the book. For example, the book reveals the identity of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, creators of the mystical map Harry obtains in this installment, which allows him to not only see the layout of Hogwarts, but also where everyone is in it. For those who have read the book, this detail may seem like a glaring omission. For those who haven't read the book, however, this detail is really trivial, and the dialogue required to explain it would have been a bit contrived. Those who are completely unfamiliar with the series in either book or movie format will be at a loss at times. The history between Voldemort, a.k.a. "You know who," and Harry is not really explained in this movie. However, in the 21st century, when all one has to do is rent the previous movies or go to your local Barnes & Noble or Borders and flip through the books over a latte, such omissions can really be forgiven. The visual design of Prisoner of Azkaban has begun to take the world of Harry Potter into a realm of its own, and makes it stand out from the previous two films. The colors are rich and vibrant without being over the top. The grounds of Hogwarts have taken on a more Celtic-influenced feel, with rolling hills and standing stones dotting the landscape. The hushed rustle of leaves as the wind whispers through the trees characterizes the outdoor environments which prove to be both visually interesting but strangely relaxing at the same time. In the same way that the swaying palms in Castaway make you feel like the movie was almost an island getaway, the environments in Prisoner of Azkaban make you feel as if you're taking a hike through the countryside on a crisp fall day. The visual design was a welcome change from the rather standard wizardly look of the first two movies. While the first two movies served to bring the books to life, their design did not distinguish Harry Potter from any other standard "gosh-golly-gee-whiz here's some fun and fanciful magical folks" movie. Just as Jackson's version of the Lord of the Rings trilogy gave flesh and bones to a line of rather unimpressive adaptations, such as Rankin & Bass's animated versions, Cuaron's vision of Harry Potter really fleshes it out and makes the world stand out as unique from the other wizard movies. In comparison to The Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban regains some of the best elements that were lost since The Sorcerer's Stone. As the first |
| Comment by:- OniKaze | | 15 June 2004 | ip: logged |
| In comparison to The Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban regains some of the best elements that were lost since The Sorcerer's Stone. As the first movie, The Sorcerer's Stone utilized a good number of establishing shots to give you a sense of time and place. Scenes showed the transition between the seasons over the course of Harry's first year at Hogwart's, and zooms and pans were used to help give the viewer a sense of where Harry was in relation to his world. In The Chamber of Secrets, the movie largely jumped from one scene to the next without much to give you a sense of where they were in the castle or what time of year it was. The establishing shots thankfully return in Prisoner of Azkaban. Snow begins to fall over Hogwart's to signal the transition to winter. The snow melts and gives way to the vibrant colors of spring. Scenes pan from the grounds to the interior of Hogwart's, and vice-versa, to show you where Harry is in relation to everything. Prisoner of Azkaban not only lets you see Harry and crew on screen, but helps you **feel** where they are in time and space. The soundtrack plays an excellent backdrop to the film. Harry's recognizable theme is not overused. Celtic flutes are often used to color a quieter scene, rather than heavy-handed orchestrations. In an age where almost every moment in movies has some form of music playing, even of on a passing car, Prisoner of Azkaban makes excellent use of silence as well. At times, there is no soundtrack other than the rustle of trees in the wind. While a musical score at moments could have been used, the lack of music at these very moments lets you hear the background sounds, further helping to give you a sense of feeling the environment, rather than simply seeing it. For all of their involvement in the story, Professor Lupin (David Thewlis - who many may recognize in a younger role as the villain in Dragonheart) and Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) really do not get enough screen time. The two actors really steal the show, particularly in their few scenes together toward the end. Thewlis brings almost a surrogate father presence to Harry's list of acquaintances, and provides a link to Harry's parents, whom are relative strangers to him as they died when he was an infant. Moreso than all of the talk of Harry's parents in the first two films, Thewlis' dialogue demonstrates what truly special people Harry's parents were to merit Lupin's undying faithfulness. Oldman's protrayal of Black hints at the complexity of the character, and will leave you wishing he had more screen time. Without revealing too much, I will say that the character of Black provides other ties to Harry's past far beyond what the previous movies establish, and compliments Thewlis' presence well. Though some moviegoers may not welcome the reengineering Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has undergone from the first two films, Cuaron's direction and the visual and sound design |
| Comment by:- OniKaze | | 15 June 2004 | ip: logged |
| Though some moviegoers may not welcome the reengineering Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has undergone from the first two films, Cuaron's direction and the visual and sound design of the film have elevated Harry Potter's world to new heights and given it a look and feel of its own, separating it from your usual run-of-the-mill sorcery movie. A bit of background knowledge of at least the first two movies will help fill in the details that are glossed over in this movie. Familiarity with the novel is not necessary, but will help to fill in some of the smaller details that are omitted in the film. |
| Comment by:- OniKaze | | 15 June 2004 | ip: logged |
| Deliciously dark installment of the Potter franchise. Visually stunning to look at and jaw dropping special effects lend to the very un-Chris Columbus creepiness that kids (of all ages) will "get" and make them squirm a bit in their seats. Confusing story with lots of unexplained plot lines but the film works. This films special effects surpass those in the benchmark third installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. A deserved oscar for special effects. Hope subsequent Pot films take a cue from this one. |
| Comment by:- Pott Head | | 04 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Harry Potter and the Prizoner of Azkaban is my favourite of all the 5 books. But it isn't for the movie coz everything changed. It was a good movie and i like the actors (except the fat lady) but it would've been betta if not so many things changed ( like hagrids hut). And Hermione rarely wore witch robes??? I like the director before better. I'm not realy used to the new one... but it's still great! |
| Comment by:- Yvette | | 08 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Simply put needed some reality check with the past Harry Potter movies and plzzzzzzzzz get a better cast specially in the roles of Hogwart's Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. In the Harry Potter movies nobody can replace Actor Richard Harris who died so soon......AAAAhh life is so unfair. "Nothing is certain but death and taxes. Of the two, taxes happen annually". Joel Fox Overall the movie is good....my personal rating 7/10. |
| Comment by:- Beni-Man | | 18 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| This movie is great,but I agree with Beni-Man about the guy who plays Albus Dumbledore....We need Richard Harris back..he was really good! The rest of the cast is great though...espesialy Daniel Radcliffe,Rupert Grint,and Emma Watson!! |
| Comment by:- mrs.lafferty(i wish) | www.moie-gazette.com/cinerevie... | 04 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| With a change of directors from the first two Harry Potter films, I think the Prisoner of Azkaban takes on new life. Not that the previous to films were bad by any measure, but I believe the third is by far the best and most adventurous. The animated maps and various special effects continue to mesmerize, and the Harry Potter films continue to create a magical experience for movie goers... |
| Comment by:- gilletbd1977 | www.thedvdreport.com/dvd_revie... | 19 January 2005 | ip: logged |
