Review 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Based on the third book in the Harry Potter book series, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) is back for his 3rd year at Hogwarts school, but a killer named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from the wizard prison, Azkaban to find him, after he helped Voldemort years ago kill Harrys parents. Dark beings called Dementors are searching for Black, and have positioned at Hogwarts looking for Black. They are able too suck the soul of people, and with Harrys strong emotions he's a large target. This year Harry, learns to defend himself with the help of a new D.A. teacher, Professor R. J. Lupin (David Thewlis), avoid being killed by Black, travel back in time and learn about his relation to Black.
The plot is so clever, so complex, Cuaron drives right to the root of the films emotional core which is to focus very much on the characters' adolescence and increasingly complex relationships.
Time is prominent motif in the Prisoner of Azkaban both in the form of Hermione's Time-Turner and the films exploration of the previous generation's influence on today's youth. Both in how Harry's emotional connection to Sirius effects him on that level as well as Lupin's connection with Harry's parents motivates him to protect him from Black and the Dementors.
Betrayal is a prevelent theme in the Prisoner of Azkaban as it signifies the personal connection Harry has to Sirius as it is believed that he betrayed his parents to Voldermort. He was their Secret Keeper, so he naturally would be the one to spill the beans and be responsible for their deaths.
That apparent betrayal
Isolation is another key theme in the film: It returns repeatedly to Harry's feelings of being alone: The Chosen One and his gradual realisation of a burdan that he must carry without help. Cuaron reflects and deepens these feelings of isolation threw the use of his camera wether it would be by separating Harry from his surroundings or placing him apart from those around him.
Harry's sense of isolation is particularly reflected when Harry is the only student in his year not to be allowed to visit Hogsmeade village because his Aunt and Uncle didn't sign his form - though it's hinted that his teachers and the Ministry are trying to protect him from Sirius Black.
Director Alfonso Cuarón's direction is creepy and stylish taking a much more grounded and realistic approach compared to fantastical style of the first two films, in particular an expertly staged and edited scene in which Harry blows up his Uncle Vernon's sister "Aunt Marge" evokes all the comedy and atmosphere of Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin silent film.
His use of handheld camerawork is also noteworthy as it give the film a sense of forward momentum and unease: a inability to find a stable footing.
His signature long take is also put to effective use in a crucial scene in which Harry learns of the true danger that he's facing.
The cinematography is dark and gets the films tone right, the score by John Williams is magnificent, the production design is fabulous (the Shrieking Shack is delapidated haunted house with creaking walls and , the make-up is rich, the costumes are authentic to look at, the tension keeps heating up, the special effects are marvelous, the sound effects are top notch and the ending is great.
Another aspect that Cuarón proves to be very deft at is the world building. By focusing on the geography of Hogwarts and the location itself. Skilfully linking the different sets to show the relationships between these places coupled with intertwining the grounds altogether making Hogwarts feel like a character unto itself.
The acting is amazing, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are getting older and the maturity of Harry, Ron and Hermione makes the series and their characters so much interesting
David Thewlis is fabulous as Professor Lupin, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts
Gary Oldman was superb as Sirius Black, outwardly one of Voldermot's most loyal followers of Lord Volvermort, and is believed to be so dangerous because he once killed 13 people with a single curse
Michael Gambon makes playing Dumbledore
Emma Thompson makes for a wonderful addition to the series playing Professor Trelawney the Divination teacher at Hogwarts.
Timothy Spall is slippery as Peter Pettigrew
Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Tom Felton round out the stacked cast with
The result: The Best, if no one of the best entries in the Harry Potter film series. 5/5.
The Anonymous Critic.
The Anonymous Critic.
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