Review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) by Brian K — 21 Sep 2012

From the moment Aunt Marge blows up like a balloon, to the moment when Harry takes a soaring ride on the latest racing broom (The Firebolt), I was completely enthralled by this visually abstract masterpiece.

Most decidedly the best of the Potter films, 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' helms a new director: Alfonso Cauron, taking over from Chris Colombus from the enchanting first two films.

Cauron makes the film fast paced, emotionally satisfying, humerous, and truly magical. The attention to detail here must be noted! Cauron puts tiny bits of color, if you will, by making this world real.

We see a bartender who simply waves his hand and the tables clean themselves, or quills that write on their own. Cauron wisely introduces us to certain themes or places early on in the film. The whomping willow, a moving tree that will kill you before allowing you to move close to it, becomes in and of itself: a character.

It's used as a guide for the season, but also allows us to get to know the tree so that by the time we get to a scene where the triplet must find a way passed it, We know exactly what it is and what danger they're in.

Elements from the novel by J.K. Rowling are played with such creativity and believability. The Maurader's Map could have easily become a joke, but Cauron designs it with precision, making it a uniquely magical and dangereous object.

Performances are also topnotch: Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson especially, and the three kids make the film a fun and exhuberant rollar coaster. 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' is an instant classic that can be enjoyed time and time again.