Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for Flashback Cinema's presentation of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
As this third installment in the Harry Potter franchise turns 15 years old this summer, I daresay no one is reading this who hasn't formed an opinion by now, so we'll call this a discussion rather than a proper review. In other words: Here be spoilers. Please chime in with your thoughts in the comments!
A dangerous felon escapes from the Wizarding World's most terrifying prison in search of the Boy Who Lived.
The Harry Potter books and movies, to me, seem much like Beatles records: The early ones are very sweet and innocent, and the later ones sometimes almost impossibly heavy; it's those middle ones that find that perfect tonal balance. Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite HP book and movie, and not just because it introduced my beloved Mr. Oldman to this magical universe. (Shut up, I know you were thinking it!)
Prisoner of Azkaban features major transitions in the Potter universe. As mentioned, the tone begins to turn darker. "Darker" is relative in a story that begins with a baby orphaned in an attempt on his own life, but here the threat seems more constant and fully permeating. Even fun moments are tinged with a hint of worry, like Dementors hovering just outside the Hogwarts grounds.
Following Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, Christopher Columbus ceded the director's chair to Alfonso Cuaron. While I think every director did a fine job with his bit of the Potter world, I have long contended that none of the others *truly* understood magic the way Cuaron did. At times I think it meant more butting heads with author J.K. Rowling, who retained a great deal of creative control over the films (I seem to recall a story about her vetoing his wish to have little people dancing on pianos?), but ultimately it resulted in the most magical feel of any of the movies. Despite releasing in the summer, Azkaban's production design boasts a very Halloween-ish atmosphere that fully expresses Cuaron's vision, with especially brilliant use of the Whomping Willow to indicate the change of seasons. Maestro John Williams' final Harry Potter score also reflects the picture's creepier tone. While my favorite piece for any of the Potter movies comes from the previous film (Fawkes the Phoenix), overall I find Azkaban's score to be the most immersive of the franchise, and the best reflection of its film.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban we see Michael Gambon's first turn as Albus Dumbledore, following the sad loss of Richard Harris. (RIP.) While many prefer Harris' kind-hearted Headmaster, I feel Gambon better captures Dumbledore's kookiness, and the hardness that allowed him to ask the same great sacrifices of others--including children--that he expected of himself. There's a brand new look for Professor Flitwick this outing, and several notable cast additions, including my Gary as the titular jailbird, David Thewlis as Lupin, the new Dark Arts professor, Emma Thompson as flighty Divination professor Trelawney, Timothy Spall as the Potters' childhood friend Peter Pettigrew, and the brilliant Dawn French in an all-too-quick appearance as the Fat Lady.
In POA, Daniel Radcliffe turns in a a more mature performance that really begins to reflect how seriously he takes his craft. Watching him grow up as a fine actor and even finer young man has been such a joy! Rupert Grint and Tom Felton cement their places as the strongest of the young performers, and Emma Watson gets to add a few more layers to her Hermione. The Weasley twins, my favorite characters in the Potter universe, turn up only briefly, but enjoy one of their more defining moments in this installment as well.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban clocks in at 142 minutes and is rated PG for "frightening moments, creature violence, and mild language."
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban marks the finest moment in one of the world's best and most beloved movie franchises. Of a possible nine Weasleys--and being the only film that actually features all nine Weasleys (photo evidence below!)--Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban of course gets nine.
N.B.: My everlasting regrets regarding the Potter franchise are that I never got to see Rik Mayall as Peeves, nor hear Uncle Vernon utter the words, "Dementy-Whatsits."
Fangirl points: You. Guys. I forgot how hard I ship Sirius/Remus. I will go down with that ship!
Until next time...
