Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Based on the books by J.K. Rowling
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón

Harry Potter: Daniel Radcliffe
Ron Weasley: Rupert Grint
Hermione Granger: Emma Watson
Sirius Black: Gary Oldman
Professor J.R. Lupin: David Thewlis
Professor and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore: Michael Gambon
Rubeus Hagrid: Robbie Coltrane
Draco Malfoy: Tom Felton
Professor Severus Snape: Alan Rickman
Professor Sybil Trelawney: Emma Thompson

Posters for the movie have hinted for months that something wicked this way comes. And commercials have featured a solemn faced Hogwarts Choir telling you that same thing. Complete...with toads. (That one's a mystery for the ages.) Indeed, there is a darker tone to this telling of young wizard Harry Potter's time at Hogwart's School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Thanks to a new director at the helm, Hogwarts has matured right along with those attending. Gone are the robes and formal looking uniforms...only to be replaced by jeans, sweaters and a pink hoodie for Hermione. (I smell a trend here.) Its a good look for Hogwarts, and the cast. It smoothly allows the viewer to believe that Harry and his friends are indeed growing up. But aside from the obvious changes, there are a few more that you might just miss.

One of the first is, in case you hadn't heard, a brand new Dumbledore. After the sad death of Richard Harris, they didn't have to go far to find a replacement. In fact, Michael Gambon had worked with Harris in the past. According to a recent interview, Gambon was pleased to take up the part as a way to honor a dear friend. He steps into the part flawlessly, bringing the gentle wisdom that has made the headmaster of Hogwarts a beloved figure both in books and on screen. One of the finest moments in the film is Dumbledore reminding the students that there is always light that can be found no matter what the circumstance. A message that is excellent, no matter how old you are.

Next is the amount of cinema starpower this film has. Along with Alan Rickman as the ever dour Professor Snape, this movie brings Emma Thompson as Professor Sybil Trelawney as well as Gary Oldman as Sirius Black. Both are well known for other roles and, to be honest, their casting in this movie was something I didn't see coming. Thompson, who is best known for "The English Paitent", and Oldman who is known as the villain in "Air Force One", both bring their best work here. Who I was the most surprised by however was Oldman. Having seen other movies he'd worked on, he stunned me by the range of emotion he shows as Sirius Black. Both scary and soft, I walked away from this movie with a deep liking for his character and I truly hope we see more of him in forthcoming movies in the series.

Overall, this movie is incredibly family friendly. The only thing I'd watch out for? The Dementors. They will scare the socks off you. But in a fun way that makes this film an excellent reason to head to the movies.

-Jenn Untch
Liberty, Missouri
indigojenn@earthlink.net

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