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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Customer Reviews (70 - 72 of 104 Reviews)

Is Harry Becoming Too Complex for the Movies?
One of the truly remarkable things about Jo Rowling's books is that virtually everything that happens has some impact on the plot. And reading the professional reviews of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (POA), it seemed that a tremendous job was done in bringing the book to the big screen, telling a story that was compelling for fans of the books and those few people (my husband included) who've never cracked the cover of one.

I left the theater wondering what movie those critics were watching. Unless you've read the book, POA is a murky, confusing mess. And if you have read the books, you're likely to leave the theater as disappointed as Ron when he receives yet another maroon sweater for Christmas.

In an interview, Alfonso Cuaron said that he tried to "strip down" the story of POA to its "critical" elements. Fans of the books, and movie buffs who expect the film they're watching to make sense, will find that Cuaron and the writers conveyed those critical elements in a series of disconnected short scenes that create confusion rather than exposing the plot. Adding to the confusion is the exclusion of information that IS relevant and crucial to the storyline.

Among the critical missing material: the relationship of Black, Lupin, Pettigrew and James Potter; the senior Potters' use of the Fidelius Charm (which explains why everyone thought Sirius Black was the Potters' betrayer); and the confrontation between Pettigrew and Black (which explains why the wizarding world is so afraid of Black). It took me 15 minutes after the movie ended to explain the backstory to my husband, who'd enjoyed the first two films tremendously because the story was clear even to someone who hadn't read the books.

I was also disappointed at the elimination of other scenes that were less plot-relevant, but which would have lightened the pervading dark tone and highlighted the talents of the film's adult actors. I was really looking forward to the Christmas dinner exchange between Profs. McGonagall and Trelawney -- the image of Maggie Smith and Emma Thompson playing that scene made me laugh out loud on the train as I re-read the book before seeing the movie. Sadly, Smith and Thompson never appear together in the film. And what happened to the exciting scene of Gryffindor winning the Quidditch Cup??

Many of the criticisms I've seen from young Harry Potter fans are with the departure from literal interpretation of the books. I didn't have a problem seeing the characters in street clothes or with the plot changes that were made (so Aunt Marge flew up into the sky, it doesn't change the story and got a big laugh in the theater). A slavish, literal translation would leave people disappointed ... and an adaptation that included all the critical elements and scenes that foreshadow future events would probably take 4 hours to tell.

And that's the real problem Warner Brothers faces as they adapt the later novels for the big screen. Too much material that's critical to understanding the story will have to be left out to make 2.5 hour movies out of the next two books in the series, which are considerably longer than POA.

That everything in the books seems to be crucial to the plot makes Rowling's books delightful to read, and the films so difficult to make. I hope a better job is done with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, or it may just be the last Harry Potter movie I see.

best. harry potter movie. ever!
The first Harry Potter movies had charm in the actors and surroundings, but when compared to the third they were weak and to unreal movie. Alfonso Cuaron should be praised for giving the movie a dark edge and helping the script to have more meaning than the book. In conclusion a movie worth at least one Oscar.

'Potter' Gets Better an Better!
With each and every movie the Harry Potter films just keep getting better! Every thing about the movie was wonderful, Michael Gambon(Dumbledore) did an excellent job, David Thewlis(Lupin) was also excellent, as were the child stars! This time around the movie has taken on a more artsy look, with beautiful sweeping shots of Harry flying Buckbeak, and tranquil walks(and runs) through the gorgeuous woods we never saw in the old ones! The Whomping Willow looked like something out of a Tim Burton film(great job guys), and did I mention the acting was SUPERB(not to mention Gary Oldman(Sirius Black, wonderful)! The Dementors where absolutely haunting, every time they were on screen a chill ran up my spine, the designers did an EXCELLENT job!!! Alfonso Cauron also added much humor, which was welcome with a dark story!
I won't tell you the plot(i don't want to spoil it for those who didn't see it), but I must say, I enjoyed every minute of the movie!! One complaint, and only one! I wish they would've made it longer then 135 minutes, I could've stayed in that theater watching that excellent movie for hours on end without getting bored! Yes, it was that good! If you don't see it, you are REALLY missing out!
(Rated PG: Scary Moments, Some Creature Violence, Mild Language, wouldn't recommend for small children)135 Minutes.

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