Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
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~Keeps getting better with age~
By Todd Karella
June 4, 2004
Harry Potter-Daniel Radcliffe
Sirius Black-Gary Oldman
Ron Weasley-Rupert Grint
Hermione Granger-Emma Watson
Harry Potter-Daniel Radcliffe
Albus Dumbledore-Michael Gambon
It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye
Tag, you're it.
   As Harry Potter becomes more of an adult, so do his adventures.  While the first film was more kid oriented, the following sequels have become darker
and more serious. 
   While some of this can be attributed to the books themselves as J.K. Rowling's characters are growing up and dealing with more serious issues, a change in directors to Aflonso Cuaron is another key element.
   Along with the directorial changes, the young cast is beginning to improve in their acting abilities.  Now in their third movie of the Harry Potter series, the stars are beginning to understand and relate to their characters becoming comfortable in their reoccurring roles.
   Some Potter fans are disappointed as this film does not follow as strictly to the books as the first two did.  It is true that the storyline is condensed, and if you're not paying attention you might miss something important, but it makes for a better movie.
   The first two movies had more of a childish feel to them than this newest release, a welcome change for most adults.  Now if it had cut out the opening scenes where Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) was living at home with his horrible aunt and uncle the movie would have been even better.
   The scenes of his family life are silly, and there is no reason why he keeps going back.  It's as if Cinderella decided to stay at home with her evil stepmother after the prince found that the slipper was hers.
   Harry is the most famous wizard alive and yet nobody can find him a better place to live, or at least let him sleep on their couch?
   After Harry blows up his Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris), not like an explosion but more like a balloon that floats out the window and into the night sky, Harry finally runs away from home.
   Finding his way back to the Leaky Cauldron Inn via a magical bus for wizards in need, Harry learns that a wizard named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison.  Not only is he a convicted murderer, but two of his victims were Harry's parents.  Now that he's escaped he's planning to take his revenge on the young wizard.
   Not only does Harry have to worry about the escaped madman, he also has to worry about the wraith-like creatures called Dementors that are sent to recapture him.
   An obvious case of the cure being worse than the disease since they don't care who they kill along the way during their search.  They thrive on emotions and are particularly attracted to Harry who has been a victim of great pain and suffering.
   Having returned to Hogwarts and meeting up with his friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint)
Harry begins his third year at the wizards academy.
   As with all schools, there are new classes to learn and new teachers.
   The loveable giant Hagrid (Robby Coltrane) returns this year and has been promoted to professor.  He teaches the students about monsters and introduces them to a Hippogriff, while the new Divination professor Trelawney (Emma Thompson) adds some levity as a scatterbrained teacher reading tea leaves and using crystal balls.
   It's the addition of Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) and his Defense Against the Dark Arts class that Harry finds the most interesting.  Not only does Lupin show up at just the right time to save him, but he teaches the young boy some complicated new magic.
   While this new professor seems helpful the mention of werewolves in class, the scratches across his face and the obvious lupine name reference make his true intentions unknown.
   Slowly the film unravels the story of who Sirius Black really is and how he was once a close family friend and is even Harry's godfather.
   A different tone takes over as Harry struggles with his past and threatens to kill Black himself.  The difficulty of being a teenager with emotions plays a large role, as not only Harry has to fight his own anger, but Hermione develops a new fondness for Ron.
   Like the other Potter movies the three young friends almost lose their lives as a few unforeseen plot twists push the action.
   This film is receiving positive reviews by both critics and fans, and the next installment in the Harry Potter series is already under way.
   If the quality of these movies continues not only will they be the biggest of all time, but they will certainly be the most successful series ever made.
If you did, you'd already be dead