Release Date: June 4, 2004
MPAA Rating: PG for frightening moments, creature violence and mild language
Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Peter Best, David Bradley, Julie Christie, Robbie Coltrane, Alfie Enoch, Tom Felton, Pam Ferris, Dawn French, Michael Gambon, Jimmy Gardner, Richard Griffiths, Joshua Herdman, Matt Lewis, Hugh Mitchell, Devon Murray, Katharine Nicholson, Chris Rankin, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Jim Tavare, Julie Walters, Jamie Waylett, Paul Whitehouse, Emma Thompson (cameo)

Plot:
Starting during the summer before Harry's third year at Hogwarts, this is the adventure that happens when he has to go on the run after an incident where he was unable to control his anger... getting on a bus, he hears about Sirius Black, a renegade wizard who was a Prisoner at Azkaban. What Harry doesn't suspect is that Black escaped to look for... him.

Review:
Not only is the latest entry into the Harry Potter franchise the best film yet, but it's even more impressive how it plays out as both an adventure film and a thriller all in one. This Potter film is centered on Sirius Black and if he has done it or not. The Prisoner Of Azkaban provides us with a different look than the first two films as well and that's present from the start.

Just like its predecessors, this film in the series opens up again in Harry Potter's house with his Uncle and Aunt. Not only are they still angry and demanding him to do certain things, but Harry Potter gets his first revenge upon them. He finally steps up and what results is respect and growth towards his character. The scene is also extremely humorous.

Harry Potter who is played by actor Daniel Radcliffe has aged with each film and his ability to act has only gotten better. With the expression of anger and the wave of his wand, he demands the audience's attention. He sure gets his well deserved attention because in this film his presence is interesting, more challenging and features a different side of him that we never knew.

The characters we have come to love in the past two films have grown in their own special way. Everyone will likely have their choice of favorite character and with Prisoner Of Azkaban the characters deliver their own exciting personality. Draco Malfoy for one thing is at his meanest in this film, but at the same time is outnumbered. Hermione Granger, finally old enough takes power and actually lays down some revenge.

Director Alfonso Cuaron has a sense for solid filmmaking and the cinematography for one thing is always interesting in this film. The camera is constantly moving and different unique shots provides the audience with thrills. While thoroughly entertaining us all, Prisoner Of Azkaban serves with some great looking sets and solid filmmaking.

Harry Potter is targeted for young audiences and mostly everyone can notice that. Each book has its unique storytelling and its different continuation of the story. They are incredibly complex stories that will demand attention and will demand the audience to use their imaginative minds. The Potter franchise is not intended to be silly, but instead smart and provocative, Prisoner Of Azkaban shows this more than its predecessors did.

Something extra that this entry brings to the Harry Potter franchise is that it relies a lot on the story of the killing of Potter's parents and it lets that be the top priority. With the first two films, it was more of an adventure ride with a couple of notifications that Potter's parents were killed Vladimir. With this entry we finally understand a lot more on what Potter's intentions are with his wizardry.

The darker and evil look Prisoner Of Azkaban brings to the series is adapted nicely and has a sense of suspense for a few scenes involving Sirius Black. I must also note that this is the only Harry Potter film that one actually feels like his death is on the line. Harry Potter is outnumbered in power and while he is still learning, he has yet to stand out and in Prisoner Of Azkaban there are signs of death for him.

Prisoner Of Azkaban has a visually stunning look, but then dishes everything out in what makes a solid adventure. Not only is this film great for kids, but its the most adult-like Potter film and everyone will have a superb time. The difference between this film and the first two are present, taken into account and the new director move was a great way to stop repetitiveness.

No one should enter a screening of The Prisoner Of Azkaban and expect to be scared out of their whits. It does nothing that will keep you covering your eyes, but instead it drives a creepy atmosphere and a quirky mood for its running time. That, is more impressive than getting screams and the entertainment serves the mood well.

One of the reasons why Prisoner Of Azkaban succeeds greatly is because not only have the lead characters matured, but the films have matured. While its predecessors featured many magical moments, it also had its share of silliness and that's something that is not present in Prisoner Of Azkaban. The humor is actually smarter and blends in nicely with its darker look.

The dialogue has gotten smarter as they aged and most of the elements from the first two films continue such as the invisible coat which was used for Potter to figure out the mystery behind his parents death. This film also has priceless moments featuring Professor Severus Snape with his wand and with witty dialogue.

Call this the film that has entered adolescence. Childhood was The Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber Of Secrets and with Prisoner Of Azkaban the series has entered adolescent. Which actually is true, the lead characters have all turned thirteen years old and that is the first age of teens. They deliver solid performances.

Harry Potter and The Prisoner Of Azkaban is a phenomenal achievement in fantasy films. This simply shows that a new director was certainly not a bad thing for this franchise and instead it brought one of the best Harry Potter books to life. Harry Potter and The Prisoner Of Azkaban is an all around fun adventure with plenty of thrills, scares and humor. This will certainly be one of the best films you'll see this summer.