Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban  (2004)

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon
Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Rating: PG

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Release Date: 06.04.04

Review Posted: 06.11.04

Spoilers: Minor

By Rachel Sexton

Potter Is All Grown Up and Great

Lovers of Harry, Hogwart’s, Hermione, Hagrid, and all the rest should know one thing before seeing the latest installment of the Harry Potter franchise: everyone’s favorite wizard is a teenager now and that fact has been fully embraced by the filmmakers. Under the rich direction of Mexican auteur Alfonso Cuarón and the successful screenplay by Steve Kloves, the entire feel of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is more grown-up, and just two of the several reasons why this is the best film of the franchise.

Prisoner is supposedly least faithful to the novels, but here’s what you’ll find onscreen. Harry’s (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwart’s begins with the news that a prisoner by the name of Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison to hunt him down. Harry slowly learns exactly who Black is and what his ties to Harry’s own past are. Another danger to Harry appears in the form of the Dementors, nasty creatures from Azkaban who now look for Black. Ironically, they may be more dangerous than the convict himself.

Standing on its own, the script is quite superb. Humor arrives in just the right doses, the plot progresses well and is exciting, and the action is more personal to the characters than it was before. There are numerous small, cool touches, like the Hippogriff (a majestic half bird-half horse creature), a secret map that tracks everyone's movement at Hogwarts, and some time traveling. Then there’s touches that signify the growth of the characters. They’re given freer reign within the school, they face conflict more readily, and, my favorite, some very slight hints at the possibility of a romance between Ron and Hermoine.

The coming of age of these characters isn’t only mirrored in the script, though. Director Cuarón's whole vision has a more adult and darker tone. In some ways, it's scarier as well. Even the styling of the characters’ clothes and hair implies this maturity. Cuarón also effectively uses deep focus cinematography and a more intricate mise-en-scene than the previous two Potter films had.

The special effects succeed again. The Dementors for one are memorable and reminiscent of the Ringwraiths from The Lord of the Rings. When they appear, everything freezes. After this film and The Day After Tomorrow, people might start to get a little apprehensive about ice. This also contributes to the water imagery in the film, like the stormy, brief Quidditch scene. On top of that, the locations are beautiful and John Williams' film score works very well.

The acting of the three leads is also ripening. Daniel Radcliffe is clearly comfortable in the title role now, Rupert Grint as Ron has always been great comic relief, and Emma Watson convinces as Hermione. As a threesome, they are hard to beat. Gary Oldman is good and the supporting cast is made up of Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, David Thewlis, and Michael Gambon as the new Dumbledore. I think that says it all.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the best of the series so far and it introduces a maturity that will keep the franchise fresh, mostly the result of Alfonso Cuarón's excellent direction. In the next installment, things get even more grown-up as Harry gets his first girlfriend. After this film, I’m sure more viewers other than just the kids will anticipate the fourth installment.

Film Rating: êêêê1/2  (out of 5)  |  Film Grade: A-

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