Okay guys. I’ll relent. Prisoner of Azkaban is a really good movie and one of the best Potters.
#3 picks up where Chamber of Secrets let out, after another awful summer with Harry’s worst aunt and uncle (Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw – I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet how freaking perfect they are as those snobs. So, take note of that). Things in the wizarding world are a little hectic with You-Know-Who supporter slash mass murderer named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) on the loose, having recently broken out of the high security Wizard Prison Azkaban. Word on the street is he’s out for Harry’s head on a platter. Annnnd that he’s responsible for selling James and Lily to Voldemort in the first place. Creepy, cloaked, Dark-Rider resembling, soul-sucking prison guards patrol the school grounds on the lookout, though they do far from comfort. Harry’s cocky teenage swagger significantly falters around the Dementors as they embody his haunting past and cause him to relive his worst memories.
See ya, Chris Columbus, it was nice knowing you. Welcome Alfonso Cuarón… director of Y Tu Mama Tambien? Wait, wait, did I hear that right? Pretty sure that’s as far from kid friendly as you can get so how Cuarón got roped into a Harry Potter movie I have no idea. But man does he do wonders to the atmosphere. From the get-go things take on a much more dramatic feel. Gone are the squeaky voices, gone is the upbeat twinkle music. The castle’s gotten a major make over, hogs heads are directing wizard public transportation, and most importantly – teenagers can be teenagers (thank you for letting them wear normal clothes when they’re not in class… they ARE normal people). The moment they enter Hogwarts, Harry and his buddies are joking in the common room with much less staged-dialogue. True, our kid actors have grown in their talent and depth, but they also seem less restricted under Cuarón’s reign.
This may be my favorite of the books. And that’s saying a lot. It’s different from all the others, doing without an appearance from our big bad boy Voldemort. Best of all, it introduces two of the BEST characters in the entire franchise. Remus Lupin (David Thewlis) and Sirius Black himself. Lupin is Harry and the gang’s new (and improved) Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Not only does he know how to teach a boss lesson, he becomes a true friend and confidant to Harry. The scenes with the two of them are precious gems of emotional exchanges. He’s the brother/father/cool uncle that Harry has never had. He treats him like an adult, he guides him, he helps him battle his fears. David Thewlis plays the role so subtly, so easily. If anything, he makes the movie worth it – as well as to see their relationship develop. Gary Oldman is just a mastermind – playing the crazy convict like, well, a crazy convict. Another great addition is Emma Thompson as the Divination teacher, Professor Trelawney. Her prediction frenzy and paranoia clash excellently with brainy Hermione (Emma Watson) – who is popping in and out of classes more randomly than popcorn. But seriously, all of these awesome British actors – even for such a small role they show up (Julie Christie even!) Michael Gambon also joins the cast to replace the beloved Richard Harris as Dumbledore. I appreciate that he doesn’t try to be cookie cutter Harris, but his edgier take isn’t exactly what I was looking for either. He improves in later movies, but in this one he’s a little too forceful.
Unfortunately I do have a rather large gripe with an otherwise magnificent film. It essentially skips over the entire back story between James Potter, Lupin, Sirius, and Peter Pettrigrew (Timothy Spall) – a small but important character. Granted, this is a selfish and possibly immature opinion, but I just loveitsomuch. It’s hard to let go. The entire climax pre time-turner mischief felt rushed, and that’s unfortunate. I love back stories, I love origins, I love mystery-unfolding (I may have mentioned this before…) and when something is that dear to you, I can’t just accept that absence. Plus, more Gary Oldman screen time is NEVER a bad thing.
Two other things I will hate on is that ATROCIOUS CGI werewolf. Serious dislike. Second, I do not like that Malfoy (Tom Felton) is being made out to be a clumsy, screaming scaredy cat. I mean, I enjoyed Hermione’s excellent upper cut to his jaw as much as anyone else, but his character was never that immature in the book. Malfoy’s more than just Harry’s enemy. He’s a conniving snake, he’s borderline evil. It discredits his later role. But whatever.
Not only has the atmosphere been altered to better suit growing teenagers and adults, the cinematography too adds to the maturing themes. It’s dark, and shadowy, but also beautiful. Every shot of countryside or castle is breathtaking and a feast for the eyes. It’s like a painting. Everything’s more artsy, more quirky. Even if you didn’t like Harry Potter, it stands alone as a beautiful coming of age film. It reminds me of how beautiful he adapted A Little Princess. And the castle, though different from the first two films (irksome to my consistency elves) is new and improved. And beautiful. John Williams’ score is also different and moodier. Harry’s flight on Buckbeak the Hippogriff accompanied by Williams’ music is… so thrilling.
Our regulars are still good. Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson are better – Harry’s angrier and Ron has dramatically improved… Hermione’s just always good. But Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman (oh, Alan Rickman), and Robbie Coltrane are top notch as usual. Plus the aforementioned new additions. Part of me wishes Cuarón could’ve stayed on (at LEAST through the fourth one…) but I can’t hate on David Yates’ work. As long as I hold my tongue, I can appreciate the movie for its emotional character development and the overall imaginative beauty. 8/10
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