Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (** 1/2)

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2004 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****): ** 1/2


HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, the third in the series, is
directed this time by Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón, a surprising choice
since his most recent claim to fame was his NC-17-rated Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN.
His version of the Potter series is definitely darker and edgier than the
first two, and it also carries a very misleading and inappropriate rating of
PG. A film with some pretty frightening images from vicious werewolves to
horrific black-robed creatures called Dementers who literally suck a guy's
face away, it is certain to scare the wits out of little ones, whose parents
undoubtedly have a much lower level of fear in mind when they take their
kids to PG-rated movies.



Although I liked this episode better than the two before it, the problem I
continue to have with the series is that it seems to be preaching only to
the choir. Sure, the books' fans will continue to love the series, but the
movies don't offer characters who are compelling enough to care about --
unless, of course, you've already fallen in love with them by reading about
them in J.K. Rowling's novels.



Don't get me wrong. I did have a reasonably good time at HARRY POTTER AND
THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN even if I never cared about what happened in the
story. The reason is simple. All of the Harry Potter films are filled with
imaginative moments, and none more so than this most recent one. The
villain this time is Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who is out to kill our
young lad -- more on the ages of the actors in a minute -- Harry Potter.
Sirius's mug is plastered all over town on what has to be the best wanted
poster ever. Sirius's snarling and demonic looking face may be on a mere
piece of paper, but it is done with a video in a short loop. The newspapers
also feature video clips.



Other innovative creations include a wacky bus that looks like something
that Roger Rabbit might drive. The bus can slow time down and can even do a
great squeeze play to move between heavy traffic. The bus driver's comical
companion is a gabby shrunken head with a heavy Caribbean accent. There's a
cool looking animal that's a cross between a horse and an eagle. Riding or
even patting him can be as dangerous as dealing with hungry bucking bronco.
The kids have a monster textbook with jaws and claws that nip at them
constantly. Rooms are lit with hundreds of floating candles. There is a
giant spider which one of the kid wizards incapacitates by making it walk on
roller skaters. And so on. There is cleverness in droves around every
corner.



Almost all of the actors are back from the previous film. In particular,
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint repeat their roles as the
three main kids, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The
youngsters are all now thirteen, or so we are told. In real life, when
making the movie, the actors were one to two years older, but looked even
older still. This may prove to a problem for many moviegoers, perhaps if
not this time, then certainly next time. Of the three, only Watson
demonstrates the spunk and charisma that suggests she might have a chance
for a long career after she has stopped Pottering. And, interestingly, she
is the only one of three who has never performed in a Potterless film.



Other than Watson, there is one other actor who deserves special mention.
Alan Rickman, as Professor Severus Snape, is terrific with his droll,
deadpan humor. But even Rickman isn't enough to make it worth sitting
through almost two-and-a-half hours of a movie without enough for anyone
other than a certified Potter fan.



HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN runs a long 2:21. It is rated PG
for "frightening moments, creature violence and mild language" and would be
acceptable for kids around 10 and up.



My son Jeffrey, age 15, gave the film ****, which he has given to every one
in the series -- although he said that he thought this one was the best. He
liked the suspense, the special effects, the action and the creatures. He
especially liked Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), a new character, and Emma
Watson, who he thought was hot. Although his interests in the Harry Potter
books have waned, his love of the Potter films hasn't.



The film opens in the United States on Friday, June 4, 2004 and in the rest
of the world starting on Monday, May 31, 2004 in the United Kingdom. In the
Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.



Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com

Email:



************************************************** *********************



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I saw this last night here in the Netherlands and it was soo awesome!!!

DEFINITELY Emma's chance to shine!
Laura


"Steve Rhodes" wrote in message
link.net...
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
A film review by Steve Rhodes

Copyright 2004 Steve Rhodes

RATING (0 TO ****): ** 1/2


HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, the third in the series, is
directed this time by Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón, a surprising choice
since his most recent claim to fame was his NC-17-rated Y TU MAMÁ TAMBIÉN.
His version of the Potter series is definitely darker and edgier than the
first two, and it also carries a very misleading and inappropriate rating
of
PG. A film with some pretty frightening images from vicious werewolves to
horrific black-robed creatures called Dementers who literally suck a guy's
face away, it is certain to scare the wits out of little ones, whose
parents
undoubtedly have a much lower level of fear in mind when they take their
kids to PG-rated movies.



Although I liked this episode better than the two before it, the problem I
continue to have with the series is that it seems to be preaching only to
the choir. Sure, the books' fans will continue to love the series, but
the
movies don't offer characters who are compelling enough to care about --
unless, of course, you've already fallen in love with them by reading
about
them in J.K. Rowling's novels.



Don't get me wrong. I did have a reasonably good time at HARRY POTTER AND
THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN even if I never cared about what happened in the
story. The reason is simple. All of the Harry Potter films are filled
with
imaginative moments, and none more so than this most recent one. The
villain this time is Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who is out to kill our
young lad -- more on the ages of the actors in a minute -- Harry Potter.
Sirius's mug is plastered all over town on what has to be the best wanted
poster ever. Sirius's snarling and demonic looking face may be on a mere
piece of paper, but it is done with a video in a short loop. The
newspapers
also feature video clips.



Other innovative creations include a wacky bus that looks like something
that Roger Rabbit might drive. The bus can slow time down and can even do
a
great squeeze play to move between heavy traffic. The bus driver's
comical
companion is a gabby shrunken head with a heavy Caribbean accent. There's
a
cool looking animal that's a cross between a horse and an eagle. Riding
or
even patting him can be as dangerous as dealing with hungry bucking
bronco.
The kids have a monster textbook with jaws and claws that nip at them
constantly. Rooms are lit with hundreds of floating candles. There is a
giant spider which one of the kid wizards incapacitates by making it walk
on
roller skaters. And so on. There is cleverness in droves around every
corner.



Almost all of the actors are back from the previous film. In particular,
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint repeat their roles as the
three main kids, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The
youngsters are all now thirteen, or so we are told. In real life, when
making the movie, the actors were one to two years older, but looked even
older still. This may prove to a problem for many moviegoers, perhaps if
not this time, then certainly next time. Of the three, only Watson
demonstrates the spunk and charisma that suggests she might have a chance
for a long career after she has stopped Pottering. And, interestingly,
she
is the only one of three who has never performed in a Potterless film.



Other than Watson, there is one other actor who deserves special mention.
Alan Rickman, as Professor Severus Snape, is terrific with his droll,
deadpan humor. But even Rickman isn't enough to make it worth sitting
through almost two-and-a-half hours of a movie without enough for anyone
other than a certified Potter fan.



HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN runs a long 2:21. It is rated PG
for "frightening moments, creature violence and mild language" and would
be
acceptable for kids around 10 and up.



My son Jeffrey, age 15, gave the film ****, which he has given to every
one
in the series -- although he said that he thought this one was the best.
He
liked the suspense, the special effects, the action and the creatures. He
especially liked Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), a new character, and
Emma
Watson, who he thought was hot. Although his interests in the Harry
Potter
books have waned, his love of the Potter films hasn't.



The film opens in the United States on Friday, June 4, 2004 and in the
rest
of the world starting on Monday, May 31, 2004 in the United Kingdom. In
the
Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC and the Century theaters.



Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com

Email:



************************************************** *********************



Want free reviews and weekly movie and video recommendations via Email?

Just send me a letter with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.