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Movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Emma Thompson
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Harry Potter is back, a bit older with a lower voice but still holding his magic wand firmly in his hand. Director Chris Colombus passed on his magic wand to Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón for this chapter. A daring choise but it could give the franchise a new fresh look. Columbus still remains as producer of the film. We also see Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. This character was played by the late Richard Harris who unfortunately died a couple of years ago.
The story in a nutshell:
I have to confess that I'm not a Harry Potter buff, I didn't read the books so I'm not able to use the Potter-mumbo-jumbo for this review. I'll try to keep it plain and simple, the wizard Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) escaped from prison and is looking for Harry. Sirius knows more about Potter's parents. But is seems that Black escaped for another reason, he is out to kill Harry.
First of all, I didn't like the first two Harry Potter films. I still don't understand the hype that surrounds this young wizard. Chris Colombus is a fine director but his Potter-movies simply didn't touch me. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard that Alfonso Cuarón was attached as new director. Known for his work on the critically acclaimed Y Tu Mamá También, Alfonso managed to give Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban a totally different look. The film is pretty dark but has its beautiful fairy-tale moments. The movie is eye-candy, the camera is constantly floating around. The audience is traveling on the back of cinematographer Michael Seresin through dark woods and gothic sets. Every space on the canvas is being used to create a enchanting world. The subtle effects (the werewolf sequence is awesome) and music score of John Williams also help to create this atmosphere.
As I said before, the young actors are growing up, as did the film and that's a positive thing. The veteran actors like Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson and David Thewlis are doing a great job. Of course there's also the fantastic Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, he's so energetic in every single second he's on screen! ...But for God's sake, why do we get to see him for just a few minutes?! That was really a surprise, the story is about this prisoner of Azkaban but our good ol' Gary finally enters the flick at the climatic end of the movie. Don't get me wrong, the story is fine, great pacing but the plot line sometimes drowns in the other adventures of Potter.
What Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban does have, is more emotion and heart and that's what I missed in de previous two chapters. Alfonso Cuarón did a great job and delivers a wonderful dark fairy-tale not only for kids but also for grown-ups.
Written by Reggy 05/06/04
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