Rating: 
Summary: So close and yet so far
Review: "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is a very well-made movie. Alfonso Cuaron, taking over the project from Chris Columbus, has done a remarkable job with every last detail of filming. Everything from the lighting to the cinematography to the musical score is breathtaking and amazing.The actors are all at the top of their game. David Thewlis, also a newcomer to the project, does a wonderful turn as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Lupin. Another newcomer, Gary Oldman, plays escaped convict Sirius Black to a tee. The character was completely believable, and just as I had imagined him. Michael Gambon, as the new professor Dumbledore, makes a seamless transition into the role left behind by the late Richard Harris. And Emma Thompson steals all of her scenes as the loopy Professor Trelawney. The film is shot with lots of dark colors and off-kilter angles, fitting the tone of the story perfectly. Harry is being stalked in this story, and Cuaron goes to every length to make sure the audience feels the discomfort Harry does when he thinks he's being watched. The only downfall of "Azkaban" however, is that it's somewhat of a poor adaptation. I got the feeling that Cuaron had read Steve Kloves' script, but neglected to read the book. Many parts important to the audience(and to later books) get left out, and while the audience won't miss some of the cuts(Gryffindor winning the Quidditch cup, for example) some aspects that should have been included in the film were not. Furthermore, some parts of the book were left out that later become important to the plot. As a faithful reader of the series since book one, I knew what was going on, and was able to keep up, but those members of the audience who haven't read the book might get confused. This film(especially at the beginning) is somewhat exclusive to people that didn't read the series. But the films have taken a big leap forward in quality with Cuaron at the helm. While the ones Colombus directed were glossed over and disney-fied, but very faithful to the books, Cuaron's movie makes several departures from Rowling's novel but, as a film, is much more ambitious and artistic than its two predecessors. So to those who have read the book: I urge you to go see "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", but be prepared to take it with a grain of salt. To those who haven't read the books, or haven't read them in a long time: Read or re-read the novel before you see the film. It will make that much difference.
Rating: 
Summary: Bloody Brilliant!!!!!!!!
Review: Alfonso Cuaron has breathed new life and given a whole new feel to an already remarkable series of films. With "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", Cuaron takes a beloved book and turns it into a beautifully filmed, fast paced story that will keep both old and new fans enthralled. The director of the sexy teen coming-of-age movie, "Y Tu Mama Tambien", seems to be completely in tune with the teenage mind. As J. K. Rowling's series of books begins to move into the troublesome years of adolesence, this movie definitely needed someone like Cuaron who could capture the angst and complexity that young people deal with as they begin the road toward young adulthood. New additions to the already superb cast include Michael Gambon who takes over the role of Professor Dumbledore for the late Richard Harris. Also new to the Potter films is Emma Thompson, a long time favorite of mine, who plays wacky Divination professor Trelawney. And, of course, there is David Thewlis and Gary Oldman, who play Professor Lupin and Sirius Black respectively, two major players in the life of our young hero. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint also show continued improvement in their acting skills as they fall effortless into the characters that have made them famous. Alan Rickman continues, with perfection, as the mysterious and always grumpy Professor Snape as well as Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, who we actually see very little of in this movie. The effects are incredible, especially Buckbeake, who is beautiful and pretty much flawless. The ride Harry takes with Buckbeake is a beautiful moment in the film, a complete treasure for the eyes! The dementors are exactly as one would imagine, giving the viewer the chills that they produce on anything that they come near. In order to keep the pace of the film, certain things had to be left out but overall it is not really important. Cuaron keeps all that is important to the story and adds a rich, new chapter to an already crowd pleasing group of films. The only downside is that now we must wait for the next installment, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". I hope the next director will live up to Cuaron's vision of Harry Potter and the world he lives in. He has big shoes to fill! GO SEE THIS FILM---YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!!
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of All Time
Review: Alfonso Cuaron has created the best of all the Harry Potter movies. The acors and actressses have grown up and have done fantastic job. Steve Kloves has written an excellent screenplay and Alan Rickman is back and ready for action.
Rating:
Summary: Magical sequel manages mischief nicely! Outstanding!
Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the best movie of the Summer '04 season so far. Van Helsing plain stunk. Troy was ok but overall disappointing. This is the real deal (along with the hysterical Shrek 2). It's fun watching such appealing child actors grow up and become even more appealing. The director change worked great to add some edge to the series in this pivotal chapter that sees Hogwarts becoming a much darker, eerier place to go to school, especially if you're Harry Potter.
The new Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) does his best to fill the late Richard Harris's shoes, to as good effect as possible I think. David Thewlis brings real warmth and mystery to Professor Lupin, and the first scene in his class was probably the most entertaining classroom scene of the series so far. Gary Oldman was the perfect choice for Sirius Black, bringing the perfect blend of acting necessary for the complex character he portrays. The rest of the supporting cast is great business as usual (particularly Alan Rickman as the ever-sneering Professor Snape and Robbie Coltrane as the gentle giant Hagrid).
As stated before, the three young leads truly carry this movie (which is appropriate considering their characters carry the weight of the story in the books). Daniel Radcliffe is now irreplacable as Harry. He brings new, more mature elements to the troubled protagonist this time around, and is for the most part believable. Rupert Grint is reliable as usual as Ron, although his character has changed the least and participates less in this one. Emma Watson is truly a starlet in training. She brings equal doses of spunk and charm to Hermione as effortlessly as an accomplished actress twice her age might. How old is she (14 now?)? Wow! I was blown away by her performance and her progress (although she was great in the first two as well!).
This was a wonderful film that I have seen twice already and plan to see again. I'll definitely pick this up immediately when it hits DVD. I recommend it to all (although it would be wise to familiarize oneself with at least the first two films if not the books for minumum confusion and maximum enjoyment)! Lovely cinematography, creepy atmospheres, great special-effects, a grand score by old faithful John Williams and a mysterious, involving story make this the most charming and entertaing film the best thing in Hollywood so far this summer. Don't miss the magic!
Rating:
Summary: Well Done!
Review: I am an avid Harry Potter fan and I have read all the books at least four times each. I think that the "Prisoner" movie was done much better than the first two. To start, it shows how the magic world is changing for Harry and how it will continue to change as the story unfolds throughout the future novels. It's important to point out that the new director has been known in the past to put a dark spin on his interpretations in movies. But I thought that this dark point of view is what is needed at this point in order to show that Harry and co. are no longer children and are entering into more dangerous territory. Although the director did edit some parts of the book that I would have like to see, I think the movie overall does a great job in showcasing the future of the series. I think the actors are really starting to come into their own and showing more depth in their interpretations of the characters. I love to see how comfortable they are with each other in this film and to see how they are growing with these characters. Overall, I think this movie is great and I can't wait to see "Goblet". Although I do agree that "Goblet" should be longer or made into a two part movie because to edit book four too much will ruin the movie and movie goers that don't read the books will be completely lost then.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Review: I eagerly anticipated the release of the third film in the Harry Potter series for more than a year. But, when I finally got to see it I was more than a little disappointed. Although the standard of acting has improved greatly since the first two films, I felt this film lacked the magic of Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets.
This film, like the book, sees Harry Potter become a teenager and enter a much darker period of his life. Harry's first two years at Hogwarts saw him battling a weakened Voldemort, whereas this year he must face the Dementors and escaped prisoner Sirius Black, forcing him to discover more about his past.
The book was fantastic, so I had high hopes that the film would be too. But somewhere between evil Malfoy becoming a coward and Hagrid's Hut and the Whomping Willow changing location, the storyline seemed to get lost. That's not to say it isn't a good film - the part at the beginning where Harry blows up his Aunt Marge was hilarious, and David Thewlis is excellent as Professor Lupin. It's just that the changes distract from the story. Michael Gambon has kept none of the mannerisms that the late Richard Harris brought to Dumbledore; Hogwarts had changed so dramatically I spent half the film wondering if Harry and his friends had transferred to a different school; and important parts of the story had been ignored or left out. (Gryffindor winning the Quidditch cup; how Lupin knew how the Marauders Map worked; who Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs were; why Harry thought the Patronus was his dad etc..)
I couldn't help but feel that the new director was trying too hard, making the movie very 'artsy' and taking it somewhere it didn't need to be, and before the end was insight I found myself wishing Chris Columbus would come back.
Harry Potter fans can only pray that Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) will do a better job with Goblet of Fire.
3 stars - ultimately, to understand this film you have to read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Best film ever
Review: I thought it was great, thrilling and exciting! It keeps you on your toes the whole time. However it does not include everything in the book so watch out. I still think that it is one of the best Harry potter film ever as the special affects are great!
Rating:
Summary: new look to a changing story
Review: I thought the newest Harry Potter movie was VERY WELL DONE. A new look for an ever changing story line. Why would anyone want to watch a movie thats done exactly like the first two? Change it up a bit and keep the audiance wondering how their favorite books are going to be brought to screen. It doesnt hurt to have many peoples different views bring a great book to screen in another way then the first two. As long as the story gets told, isnt that all that matters?
Rating:
Summary: Great Adaptation
Review: I very much liked Cuaron's vision of the books, particularly in POA, where the story takes a good hard look at the darker side of JK Rowling's detailed world. It's easy to forget that Voldemort does not make an appearance in POA - the darkness comes from fear, prejudice, and allowing yourself to become evil in order to fight evil. Daniel Radcliffe simply is Harry Potter. He is an amazing young actor. Rupert and Emma have grown into their craft, which must have something to do with exposure to fine directors and some of the greatest actors in British theater. Michael Gambon, Emma Thompson and Gary Oldman are excellent additions to the cast, and I'm looking forward to seeing them in future installments. David Thewlis is a great actor, but just did not fit my picture of Lupin. Oh well. Although I generally didn't miss the Quidditch (there are 3 matches in the book and 1 in the film,) I did miss the scene where Harry unleashes his Patronus against what he thinks is Dementors, but is actually Draco & cronies. The Dementors were wonderful - really frightening. The use of ice to mark their passing, and the blurring of Harry and Sirius when they are attacked by the Dementors was very effective. I wasn't very happy with the werewolf or the Grim. The Grim looked more like a wolf, rather than my vision of a large bear-like dog (I was thinking scruffy Newfoundland), and the werewolf looked like a thing, obviously not something that would take some observation to distinguish from a real wolf. Back to Cuaron, he paces POA much more briskly, a desperately needed change from the stately (okay, slow) first two installments. Evil's menace and wizardry's potential for chaos are much more evident in this installment. Finally, the grace notes he's added are completely in keeping with Rowling's world.
He would be an excellent choice to direct Order of the Phoenix.
Rating:
Summary: Some people just don't get it...
Review: One of the joys about the Harry Potter series is that the style of the books matures with the characters. This is finally true with the movies as well. Yes, this is a much darker film than the first 2...so is the book. Yes, Harry, Ron and Hermione act more like real teenagers and less like 1950's television children. There were choices made in this film that were risky, but in my opinion the risk paid off! This is the perfect progression in the films of Harry Potter!
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