Review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) by Analisa H — 26 Sep 2012

Definitely among the better of the Potter films. Azkaban was the first to take a much darker turn, thanks to director Alfonso Cuaron. My only problem with this installment of the Potter series had to do with the fact that I felt like Cuaron expected everyone who saw this movie to have read the books.

Most of the other films gave viewers at least enough information to be able to catch on to the main points of the story, but in this I noticed some very key points missing, and certain friends of mine who had not read the books were slightly confused.

I attribute this mainly to a complete failure to mention anything about the true identities of Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. As far as most filmgoers knew, they were just names on a map, and Lupin's knowledge of the map's power was purely coincidence.

I suppose I also had problems with Hermione's character, not only because I am not a fan of Emma Watson's "overuse-the-eyebrows" acting style, but because the filmmakers, (and I don't just mean Cuaron.

They are still doing it to this day), have made Hermione Granger far less nerdy than she needs to be. The whole "punching Malfoy in the face" bit was extremely out of character, at least by the standards of someone who is deeply into the book series.

Aside from that, though, it was a thoroughly enjoyable film, and I was thrilled at the addition of Gary Oldman to the cast.