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Harry Potter and the Prisoner
of Azkaban
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe,
Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon,
Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, Maggie Smith and
David Thewlis
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Scriptwriter: Steve Kloves
(adapted from the J. K. Rowling book)
Music: John Williams
Warner Brothers
Running Time: two hours
and 10 minutes
Rating: PG
Website: www.harrypotter.com
Harry Potter and the Prisoner
of Azkaban is the long-awaited third film in the best-selling book
series by J. K. Rowling. Lest you fret, scriptwriter Steve Kloves is busy
adapting Rowlings fourth Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Goblet of
Fire, for the screen. Former Potter director Chris Columbus is now
a Potter producer and Alfonso Cuaron (A Little Princess, Great
Expectations and Y Tu Mama Tambien) is now at the helm. As the
books progress, the plots become darker and deeper, so Cuaron’s hand as
director is appreciated and he does a good job. John Williams’ score is
lively and not overwhelming, and of course, the special effects are wonderful.
This story begins with Harry
staying with his aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin. The family entertains
a friend who thinks Harry is at the bottom of the heap, social-wise. Harry
can’t take it anymore (youthful temper) and does magic when he isn’t supposed
to. The family friend expands to the size of the Goodyear blimp and sails
blissfully over London. Back to Hogwarts goes Harry, with the help of a
Knight Bus for just such emergency situations. We should all be so lucky.
Harry learns he is in danger from Sirius Black, who broke out of Azkaban
Prison and was accused in the murder of Harry’s parents. Sirius is being
chased by creatures called Dementers, who look like teen versions of The
Lord of the Rings wraiths. These guys freeze all in their path and
like to suck the breath out of you. Harry’s friends Hermione (Emma Watson)
and Ron (Rupert Grint) band together to protect Harry and find out what
is really happening at Hogwarts. Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is there, too,
as the student villain. Your favorite teachers are here including Hagrid
the giant (Ronnie Coltrane) Professor Dumbledore (now played by an ineffective
Michael Gambon), the oily Professor Snape (Alan Rickman), Professor Lupin
(David Thewlis) and, with glasses as large as telescopes, the Divination
teacher, Professor Trelawney (Emma Thompson.)
Each Potter film has a new
type of animal and here we have the Hippogriff which is half eagle and
half horse. This guy plays an important part in the film and probably will
have his own fan club and website soon. A Quiddich match in a thunderstorm
is in special effects heaven, as are the Dementers whenever they make an
appearance, or anything concerned with Hogwarts. The choir, complete with
ethereal candles, or the view from any Hogwarts window is sure to please.
The trio of Daniel Radcliffe,
Emma Watson and Rupert Grint is maturing into handsome teens, and with
their heightened acting abilities (especially Radcliffe), should find good
careers as they leave their teens. Grint especially has good comedic timing.
Michael Gambon as Dumbledore has a physical resemblance to the late Richard
Harris, but none of his authority. Emma Thompson’s awkward divination instructor
resembles a youthful Carol Burnett, while Robbie Coltrane, as Hagrid, is
still the lovable giant. Alan Rickman’s Snape would make anyone from a
Charles Dickens novel shake in his or her boots. An unrecognizable Gary
Oldman as Sirius Black was a casting coup. In fact, the entire cast is
well, well cast, with the exception of Michael Gambon. Wasn’t Peter OToole
available? Perhaps he was in Troy.
Having read all the Potter
books to this point, it is with trepidation that I approach the films,
but I haven’t been wholly disappointed. Azkaban has a great deal of material
to cover, and Steve Kloves hops on the high points so that anyone new to
the series can follow it along. The film has a PG rating, but would not
be appropriate for children under age ten.
The Harry Potter books began
a whirlwind of writing concerning wizards in children’s books and whether
this is appropriate for a Christian to read. That question may be answered
by the fact that another book, also from Great Britain, by G. P. Taylor
called Shadowmancer is available for young teens. A recent book
review of Shadowmancer by Greg Taylor in the June 2004 issue of
Christianity Today is headlined with A Christian Harry Potter? The Harry
Potter books deal with evil as evil, period. However, Shadowmancer
has the community upside-down with a vicar, a man of the cloth no less,
being the bad guy. It will be interesting to see if there is a continuation
of the Taylor books or if Shadowmancer makes it to the large screen.
Oh, and Harry Potters scar?
Harrys famous lightning scar was in the middle of his forehead, then on
the left side of his head, and then back to the forehead again. His luggage
appears, disappears and reappears. Oh, well, this is a magic film, so what
should I have expected?
Copyright 2004 Marie Asner
Submitted 6/5/04
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