Harry Potter is growing up and has reached an awkward age.Puberty has hit not just for him, but also for many of hisonce-rabid fans. The youngsters might have moved on to greenerpastures of fantasy fiction, but if they have not forgotten theironce-wonderful hero, fans are in for a treat. “Harry Potter and thePrisoner of Azkaban” is the most dramatic and captivating of themovies thus far. As the four-eyed Potter and his pals practicemagic and cavort about Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,they conquer refreshingly more adult plot lines and evileasily.
Sirius Black, who looks remarkably like a deranged CharlesManson, is on the loose from Azkaban prison. Sirius is accused ofbetraying Potter’s parents to Lord Voldemort and now that he isfree once again, Potter seems to be on the top of his hit list.
The movie places Potter, as well as Ron and Hermoine, in theirjunior high years. As the characters have aged, the film seamlesslybrings them into that awkward period of adolescence. There areglimmers of romance between Ron and Hermoine, but the charactersare still too young to be developing a love story plot.
The obvious central focus is Harry. In this film he is atroubled teen who is fed up with his aunt and uncle guardians.Potter takes out his angst with brooding looks from behind hisglasses and magical powers. The movie and young actor DanielRadcliffe do a phenomenal job of developing Potter into athree-dimensional character with real-life feelings, not just astoic wizard.
The film itself seems to have grown up as well. This time thirdPotter film “Azkaban” was directed by Alfonso Cuaro’n, who hasprior experience making movies for adults (Y Tu Mama’ Tambien).Cuaro’n’s directing causes older viewers to not feel like they arewatching a child’s movie, but rather a more mature film. Cuaro’navoids pandering to childhood tendencies and gives the film adrearier setting and more suspenseful feel.
Hard-core Potterphiles will notice departures from the book andless well-read audience members will find themselves slightlyconfused. In an effort to keep the movie from dragging on (itcovers the entire 900 plus page book), the film glazes over someback story and rearranges a few events, which might leave someviewers puzzled. But most viewers should be able to understand thisinstallment without supplemental reading.
“Azkaban” is a great fantasy film without bogging down audienceswith unnecessary back story or dialogue. The film balances greathuman performances with dazzling special effects, keeping audienceswell entertained. “Azkaban” has more action, more magic and moresuspense than most “grown-up” films.