CATRIONA PAUL at the movies.

I’VE HEARD IT’S the best yet, although I confess I saw the first one on video and missed the second one completely. I haven’t read the books. So, let’s forget all comparisons. In its own right, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a fun film. Visually impressive, rich in magical detail, packed with memorable cameos and with a fine trio of young actors taking the lead roles – it should appeal to both adults and kids.
  
Harry returns to Hogwarts (a school for young witches and wizards), only to find out that a prisoner implicated in the death of his parents has escaped, probably to track him down. The story emerges in second place behind the detail of the wizard’s world. Harry’s escape from suburbia on the Knight bus, meeting his school friends at a spooky London inn, and then heading for the Highlands in a spectral steam train is a gleeful journey that sets a wonderfully escapist tone.
  
Hogwarts tempts you to explore with all its turrets, floating staircases and talking portraits. As for lessons, with Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman and David Thewlis as your teachers, who wouldn’t swap maths and geography for lessons in divination and fighting the dark arts?
 
Whether this film is significantly “darker” than its forebears is likely. I’ve seen better beasts in Buffy, but Potter will probably still scare most 5-year-olds, so parents beware. Director Alfonso Cuarón (best known for Y Tu Mamá También), had the advantage of more grown-up actors – Daniel Radcliffe convincing as a turbulent teen Harry although with little opportunity to reveal depth.
  
But it’s the escapism and strange detail of Rowling’s magic world which ultimately hooks you in. You may even leave the cinema wondering who gets to be a witch (or wizard).  And if it’s simply a case of hands up, I’m for leaving the muggles behind.
  
HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
General release, selected cinemas.

Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Writer: J K Rowling (novel); Steven Kloves (screenplay)
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 142 mins
Country: USA
Year: 2004
 
 
© Catriona Paul, 2004

Related Links:

Harry Potter official site