Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - a Frank Review

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third cinematic release based on the best selling books by J.K Rowling. This installment was directed by Alfonso Cuaron. We see the return of the trio of child stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and the budding young actress Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. Dumbledore's character is expertly taken over by Michael Gambon replacing the late Richard Harris who died of Hodgkin's Disease. Previous director of the first two films Chris Columbus steps down as a producer of the third film along with David Heyman. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was released in the USA in early June of 2004. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, for its music score and visual effects. It also introduces some new characters including one Sirius Black who will be come more and more important to Harry Potter as time passes.

The movie starts with Harry back with his aunt and uncle again for the summer. A visit from his uncle's sister Marge causes Harry to loose his temper when she insults his mother and father. This leads in to one of the funniest scenes of the whole movie. You and your children will love it. Harry then leaves as he is expecting to be punished for using magic outside of school only to be picked up by a magic bus and dropped off at a pub where the Minister of Magic informs Harry that he will not be expelled. Harry then learns that Sirius Black has escaped prison and that Sirius, long thought to be a staunch support of Lord Voldemort will come to Harry with murder in his heart. On the train to Hogwarts, Harry meets up with his best friends and the three of them share a compartment with a odd new teacher. The Hogwarts Express comes to a sudden stop and a scary creature who freezes everything around it and who can drain the very soul from your body appears. Harry is so upset over these events he faints but everything is OK in the end as their new teacher saves the day. Later when they arrive at Hogwarts they learn from Dumbledore that the creatures ( Dementors ) have been placed around the school as the first line of defense against Sirius Black. The new teacher the trio met on the train turns out to be a master at defense against the dark arts and teaches his class a charm to protect themselves from evils such as the Dementors. Much chaos and adventure follows never letting up till the film is over.

Over all I give this movie a rating of 10 out of 10. I think the actors have become very comfortable in their roles and talent grows with ever film under their belt. I think this is a great young adults movie that most parents will have no problems allowing older children to watch. It teaches good moral values, the value of friendship, and the value of loyalty and the important of family. However it is a quite a bit deeper and darker than the first movie and just intensifies what the second movie started. If you choose you allow younger children to watch this you will want to watch it with them to ally any fears or answer any questions they may have. I will hold off on telling you any more about the plot to allow you the chance to enjoy the movie for yourself. It is an older movie and probably available in the bargain bins of video stores if you have never seen it, spend the $5-$10 and pick up a copy. It is well worth the money spent and your family will likely watch it over and over again.