Cady's Take:

In this third of a projected seven instalments, the major menace is the renegade sorcerer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) the man who may have been responsible for the death of Harry's parents. Black escapes from Azkaban prison and is apparently out to get Harry. A big part of this film revolved around the "dementors", Grim Reaper-like creatures from Azkaban who are supposed to protect Hogwarts students from Black, but instead threaten to suck the soul right out of Harry. They are seen roaming the skies, and they scare Harry more than anything, yes-even “You Know Who.”

This film signals a change of course for the Harry Potter movies, away from the limited conventions of action-movie formula and into a more metaphysical direction. Azkaban is an adaptation worthy of Rowling's marvellous creation—a chapter that spins the story to ever more thrillingly dark, treacherous heights. Though very different, this "Harry" flows very naturally out of the first two movies. But it is much better. It is also less of a movie geared toward small children.

Cuaron has found room for a great deal of humor, provided in part by an assortment of fresh characters including Emma Thompson as Professor of Divination Sibyll Trelawney, a frightfully nearsighted seer. Michael Gambon, uncharacteristically benign in his knotted beard, replaces the late Richard Harris as headmaster Dumbledore, And Harry forms a special bond with Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who helps him confront his fears.

Looking forward to #4.

When I picked up the first Harry Potter book two years ago I had no idea that I was about to discover something amazing – something I had never before found in children’s literature. I found a world that took children and their hopes and fears very seriously; Harry was a character that kids could relate to, find comfort in, and of course find adventure in reading about in a manner that is inexplicably different than any childhood character I could remember. I read the first four books in about three weeks, and when Number Five came out I was at the bookstore at midnight, waiting with a bunch of twelve-year-olds for my copy. The only regret I have is that I never got to read Harry as a child – it must be quite an experience.

I had high hopes for “Azkaban” and I was not disappointed. The first two Harry Potter books had a great deal of background and explanation – that is over now as Harry, Hermione, and Ron dive into their third year at Hogwarts and pursue careers as witches and wizards, while finding danger around every corner. Danger this term comes in the form of Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), the man who reportedly helped Lord Voldemort kill Harry’s parents and who has escaped, we fear, to find Harry and kill him, too. “The Prisoner of Azkaban” introduces us to a host of new characters including Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), the mysterious new Defense of the Dark Arts instructor and Professor Trelawney (Emma Thompson) the Divinities teacher. My two favorite characters are back – Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) and Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) and unfortunately their storylines are a wee bit shorter than in the book. That is my one complaint about the Harry Potter movies – so much is left out! Unfortunately it would be impossible to make a movie that details each storyline to completion – the movies would be four hours long (which I would love, but ten-year-olds maybe not so much).

Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint are older and perhaps wiser, and their Harry, Hermione, and Ron take on darker emotions and themes. However none of the magic of Hogwarts is lost and director Alfonso Cuaron reflects this in “The Prisoner of Azkaban”. After the first two films by Chris Columbus, Cuaron brings the complexity of being a teenager to his characters, and also brings a darker, harder edge to Harry’s world. Michael Gambon is graceful in his role as Albus Dumbledore, replacing Richard Harris who passed away after filming “The Chamber of Secrets”.

I could not possibly have enjoyed this movie more – you must go see it immediately. Run red lights!