Review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) by Gordon H — 28 Aug 2016

Fantastic! Cuarón Injects the Harry Potter Franchise with an Amazing New Energy!

Originally Written June 4, 2004--.

Harry Potter's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts starts off badly when he learns deranged killer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison and is bent on murdering the teenage wizard. While Hermione's (Emma Watson) cat torments Ron's (Rupert Grint) sickly rat, causing a rift among the trio, a swarm of nasty Dementors is sent to protect the school from Black. A mysterious new teacher helps Harry learn to defend himself, but what is his secret tie to Sirius Black?

This is what I have been waiting for! After playing it safe in the last two Harry Potter movies, Warner Bros. finally took some risks and hired Alfonso Cuarón of "Y Tu Mamá También" fame to inject this franchise with an amazing new energy! This "Harry Potter" adventure is darker, more mature, and much more focused on the characters than previous entries have been! I loved it! "Prisoner of Azkaban" is my favorite of the first three J.K. Rowling novels. Now, this film is my favorite of the three as well. Fantastic! Five stars!