Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

‘Something wicked this way comes’

Movie adaptation of the best Harry Potter book to date. After two mediocre films director Christopher Columbus has been replaced by Alfonso Cuaron, whose previous work includes ‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’ a critically acclaimed Mexican film.

The plot, for those who haven’t read the book, follows the continuing story of boy wizard Harry Potter at his school for magic and witch craft ‘Hogwarts’. With his mates Ron and Hermione, this academic year, they have to contend with an escaped prisoner who it is believed wishes to murder Harry, there are nasty soul sucking creatures all over the school grounds called Dementors, and Hagrid the gamekeepers griffin-like beast has been condemned to death. There are new kooky teachers notably Professor Sybill Trelawney played by Emma Thompson who has a knack of reading tea leaves badly.

The book this film is based upon is far more coherent than the Chamber of Secrets which was a mess and translated into a jumbled film. This film is not quite such a word for word adaptation of the source book, the ending in particular is cut short.

Harry and co. are a year older, not only do they look and sound more mature, but the film itself is moodier, darker and a more polished product.

The whole thing is lit by a chocolate, almost sepia off screen light that highlights objects and actors, giving the whole thing an ethereal more magical feel. The landscape around Hogwarts is also impressively shown off for the first time in this film, lots of rolling scottish hills and lochs.

Performances are very good as in previous films, especially likeable is David Thewlis as professor Lupin, the softly spoken defence against the dark arts teacher. Gary Oldman is suitably frantic and wild as the wanted Sirus Black.

Harry played by Daniel Radcliffe is as good as in previous films and Ron (Rupert Grint) once again injects humour into the script. Hermionie (Emma Watson), has grown up perhaps most and is no longer the gawky, buck toothed girl described in the books. Alan Rickman is excellent and sinister as Snape.

This is the best Potter film to date and any fans will love it.

Jamie O'Connell