I should first start with a little confession: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” the third novel in J.K. Rowling’s projected 7-book series, is my favorite of the books thus far. So I think it only fair to warn you right off the bat that this review is a little bit biased. So with that out of the way...I LOVE THIS MOVIE! I know I sound like a pre-pubescent school girl, but it is true. And beyond my rapturous love, I can also say from a critical standpoint that this is the best Harry Potter flick to hit the theatres.
The first two Harry Potter movies (The Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets) were both generally well-received, but both were accused of being far too faithful to the text; that trying to cram every single event and piece of dialogue from a 250+ page book into a movie was foolish. And I agree, to a point. I believe that this type of slavish adaptation was necessary for the first movie in order to establish characters and the story in the way that Rowling had intended (and in the way that has enchanted millions of devoted readers and Harry Potter fans world-wide). And fan-friendly director Chris Columbus was the perfect choice for this inaugural chapter. Of course this doesn’t account for the second chapter. Chamber of Secrets doesn’t evolve the story in a cinematically artistic way, instead settling to remain stagnant on the plateau reached by the first film. (Maybe it is my personal tastes showing up again, but not only is the second movie my least favorite of the three films, but it is my least favorite of the five books written.) Every one of Rowling’s Harry Potter novels has a different personality, and while Columbus and his team were perfect for the first film, the fit just wasn’t as snug for the second chapter. That is why I was so elated to hear of Alfonso Cuarón‘s (Y Tu Mama Tambien) appointment to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Columbus was able to get away with Chamber of Secrets (heck, I did give the movie 3-stars after all!) because despite having different nuances and personalities, the first two movies are not radically different in terms of tone. Not so with the third chapter, which brings adolescence and anger to the characters, and along with the thematically and symbolically important Dementors, radically changes the tone of the piece. Thus, a more edgy and riskier director was needed for Prisoner of Azkaban. Enter Alfonso Cuarón, who has done a brilliant job of bringing the third Harry Potter novel to life.
Instead of facing his arch enemy You-Know-Who in chapter three, Harry faces his own fears and his past. These fears come by way of Sirius Black, murderer, has recently escaped from Azkaban prison -- a feet that no one has ever achieved, and the demon-like Dementors (Azkaban’s guards) who are constantly searching Hogwarts for Sirius. Harry comes to learn that Sirius is the man responsible for betraying his parents and telling Lord Voldemort their whereabouts, and that Sirius is now searching for Harry in order to “finish the job.” Filled with rage and fear, Harry must still deal with the nasty Draco Malfoy and Professor Snape, and a new (but kind) Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, all while playing quidditch and doing his ever-mounting school work.
Some may not be satisfied with Prisoner of Azkaban because unlike the first two movies, this one has more of a “middle chapter” feeling to it. Harry has no direct confrontation with Lord Voldemort, and the action is much more low-key. But for those of you who are in fact detractors, let me remind you that the middle chapter in the original Star Wars trilogy -- The Empire Strikes Back -- is often considered the best of the three. It is true that the climax is not as showy as the first two films, but that is to be expected since this film focuses more on character than on narrative. By the end of the movie, Harry has grown not only physically but also emotionally. I believe that it was Stephan King in his review of the fifth Harry Potter novel who pointed out that with each novel, the content becomes more and more adult oriented. And for the first time, a Harry Potter movie has reached out to adults; Prisoner of Azkaban is less of a Saturday morning serial than its predecessors and more of a true fantasy in the vein of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
J.K. Rowling has made a habit out of making every new Harry Potter book longer than the one before. (In fact, book 5 “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” clocks in at an astounding 870 pages!) This meant that the faithful adaptations crammed with every single piece of dialogue and every minute subplot that audiences had become accustomed to had to go. Screenwriter Steven Kloves does a good job excising the unnecessary fat, while keeping the meat of the story. The movie doesn‘t require you to have read the book in order to follow the story line, but to be fair, some small details are lost on those who haven‘t. (Yet interestingly, this was the same problem in the first two movies, even though much of the action was unnecessarily explained and the story adapted nearly word for word.) Prisoner of Azkaban uses its source material as a launching pad rather than an instruction manual. While some of the devoted fans might be disappointed by this, I hope they realize that what Cuarón created with the script of Klove’s is for the first time, an actual cinematic achievement.
With a change in director also came a change in vision. Subsequently, Hogwarts has many structural changes. Whether you like the changes or not is a matter of opinion (I happen to like them), but what it does add is a darker tone. Hogwarts’ grounds look much more authentic (well, as authentic as a place with a Whomping Tree can look); there are a lot of grassy hillsides, and an amazing bridge connecting two such hillsides. Hogwarts itself also changes; the castle has become far more gothic and foreboding, and the gold hues which permeated every corridor have been replaced with blacks and silvers. Another change which may go unnoticed by many is the use of street clothes in the movie. The traditional Hogwarts robes are used during school hours, while modern clothes outfits the students between classes.
With the help of Cuarón, the young stars have grown into young actors. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint go toe-to-toe with their gifted co-stars without losing a beat. The improvement is especially noticeable in Watson, who has perhaps changed the most since the second movie. Let us hope that these actors are able to continue their portrayal of their characters for the remainder of the series! The franchise continues a tradition of using British character-actors in the supporting roles. Joining the cast this time are Michael Gambon, who takes the role of Dumbledore formerly occupied by the late Richard Harris. David Thewlis plays R.J. Lupin, Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and a mentor to Harry. Emma Thompson (ex-wife of Chamber of Secrets star Kenneth Branagh) is Professor Sybil Trelawney, the eccentric Divination teacher. And rounding out the cast is Gary Oldman, who plays Sirius Black. Returning actors are Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, Alan Rickman as Professor Snape, and Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall. What can I really say about a group of such distinguished actors? The performances in Prisoner of Azkaban are universally fantastic. Special accolades must go out to Gambon though, who takes on the role of Dumbledore without missing a step.
As I write this review, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (the fourth film) is already in production, with Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) directing. (At the present time, Goblet of Fire is slated for November, 2005.) Not only am I excited simply because it is a Harry Potter movie, but I am pleased to see a new director at the helm. Each Harry Potter novel is different, and so too should each movie. Wouldn’t it be great to see a new director’s vision for the Harry Potter franchise with each of the remaining four chapters? (Of course I would like to see the vision of Quentin Tarantino or Woody Allen...but that is another story.) Alfonso Cuarón has brought audiences his vision with Prisoner of Azkaban, and this new vision not only breathes new life into the Harry Potter franchise, but helps us to appreciate the Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets all the more.
Grade: A
© 2004 Jacob Sproul
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