ANTBond007
05-23-2004, 11:24 PM
"Only one will die tonight."
There's a very noticeable difference in the directing styles of Chris Columbus (Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets) and Alfonso Cuaron. This becomes evident as early as the Warner Bros. logo appearing on screen. The camera dollies through the two letters, which are dark and ominous (...which is kind of funny, thinking about it), into Dursleys' house, and specifically into Harry's bedroom.
The opening scenes at the Dursley house are quite a bit different from the previous two films, and establish the tone of the film quite well. Instead of being laughably bad cartoon characters, the Dursleys are a bit more real this time out. Mr. Dursley doesn't lash out at Harry for existing. When Harry wants a permission slip signed, it's obviously the older man doesn't like him, yet he still gets a very parental, "Perhaps if you behave." When Harry's aunt arrives for dinner and starts to scold him and his parents, he goes a bit with a crazy with the magic, pisses off his guardians, and essentially runs away.
Harry is whisked away by a magical bus that takes him to meet with the Minister of Magic. Along the way, he learns of Sirius Black, a murderer who's escaped from Azkaban prison. Arthur Weasley later tells him, "Now promise me that you won't go looking for Black," and Harry replies, "Why would I go looking for someone who wants to kill me?" By the time Harry finally meets Sirius, he strangles him to the ground and is quite really to murder him.
We're introduced to a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Lupin. David Thewlis isn't at all how I imagined him in Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix, but he really nailed the actions and motivations of the character. The way he speaks of Harry's parents and the sheer glee of watching Harry perform a spell to ward of the dementors is fantastic.
And this is probably what I like best about this film. It's a genuine film. Whereas Columbus' movies were essentially "A Year At Hogwarts: Part 1" and "A Year At Hogwarts: Part 2," Prisoner of Azkaban has a very definite beginning and ending. It's the story of Harry dealing with his parents' death, maturing, and dealing not only with Sirius Black but also with the Nazgul-like dementors. When that story is told, the movie ends. No end of year feast. No "Gryffindor wins the house cup!" Nothing. Just Harry.
The actors all fill their roles well. Danielle Radcliffe is leagues better than he was in the first film. Emma Watson can still nail Hermione, and I'll be honest in saying that for a 14-year-old, she's pretty damn attractive. Rupert Grint plays Ron very much the same as he did in Chamber of Secrets, but who cares when he once again shows how freaked out he is of spiders?
Michael Gambon plays Dumbledore very differently from the late Richard Harris. He's louder, quicker, and seems to enjoy life a bit more. Closer to the book, though it did take me a few scenes to work up to him. Not so much Gambon's fault as me being used to Harris' performance as the seasoned wizard.
Gary Oldman does well as Sirius, though he's only on screen for around fifteen minutes. When we first meet him, he's a raving lunatic, which definitely fits the situation. Once he calms down a bit, Oldman really nails the part and makes us very interested in the character.
All in all, I very much enjoyed Prisoner of Azkaban. It isn't going to win many Academy Awards, but it's a damn entertaining film with a good heart. Cuaron brought a much-appreciated approach to the series. It's darker, with greyer color palettes and more realistic characters. When Harry says "I hope he finds me. 'Cuz when he does, I'm going to kill him!" You believe it, and it's quite the evolution from the boy we saw in 2001.
Next up is Goblet of Fire, a book that's much greater in terms of scope. Let's hope Mike Newell has half the same magic with the material that Cuaron possesses.
8.5/10
There's a very noticeable difference in the directing styles of Chris Columbus (Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets) and Alfonso Cuaron. This becomes evident as early as the Warner Bros. logo appearing on screen. The camera dollies through the two letters, which are dark and ominous (...which is kind of funny, thinking about it), into Dursleys' house, and specifically into Harry's bedroom.
The opening scenes at the Dursley house are quite a bit different from the previous two films, and establish the tone of the film quite well. Instead of being laughably bad cartoon characters, the Dursleys are a bit more real this time out. Mr. Dursley doesn't lash out at Harry for existing. When Harry wants a permission slip signed, it's obviously the older man doesn't like him, yet he still gets a very parental, "Perhaps if you behave." When Harry's aunt arrives for dinner and starts to scold him and his parents, he goes a bit with a crazy with the magic, pisses off his guardians, and essentially runs away.
Harry is whisked away by a magical bus that takes him to meet with the Minister of Magic. Along the way, he learns of Sirius Black, a murderer who's escaped from Azkaban prison. Arthur Weasley later tells him, "Now promise me that you won't go looking for Black," and Harry replies, "Why would I go looking for someone who wants to kill me?" By the time Harry finally meets Sirius, he strangles him to the ground and is quite really to murder him.
We're introduced to a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Lupin. David Thewlis isn't at all how I imagined him in Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix, but he really nailed the actions and motivations of the character. The way he speaks of Harry's parents and the sheer glee of watching Harry perform a spell to ward of the dementors is fantastic.
And this is probably what I like best about this film. It's a genuine film. Whereas Columbus' movies were essentially "A Year At Hogwarts: Part 1" and "A Year At Hogwarts: Part 2," Prisoner of Azkaban has a very definite beginning and ending. It's the story of Harry dealing with his parents' death, maturing, and dealing not only with Sirius Black but also with the Nazgul-like dementors. When that story is told, the movie ends. No end of year feast. No "Gryffindor wins the house cup!" Nothing. Just Harry.
The actors all fill their roles well. Danielle Radcliffe is leagues better than he was in the first film. Emma Watson can still nail Hermione, and I'll be honest in saying that for a 14-year-old, she's pretty damn attractive. Rupert Grint plays Ron very much the same as he did in Chamber of Secrets, but who cares when he once again shows how freaked out he is of spiders?
Michael Gambon plays Dumbledore very differently from the late Richard Harris. He's louder, quicker, and seems to enjoy life a bit more. Closer to the book, though it did take me a few scenes to work up to him. Not so much Gambon's fault as me being used to Harris' performance as the seasoned wizard.
Gary Oldman does well as Sirius, though he's only on screen for around fifteen minutes. When we first meet him, he's a raving lunatic, which definitely fits the situation. Once he calms down a bit, Oldman really nails the part and makes us very interested in the character.
All in all, I very much enjoyed Prisoner of Azkaban. It isn't going to win many Academy Awards, but it's a damn entertaining film with a good heart. Cuaron brought a much-appreciated approach to the series. It's darker, with greyer color palettes and more realistic characters. When Harry says "I hope he finds me. 'Cuz when he does, I'm going to kill him!" You believe it, and it's quite the evolution from the boy we saw in 2001.
Next up is Goblet of Fire, a book that's much greater in terms of scope. Let's hope Mike Newell has half the same magic with the material that Cuaron possesses.
8.5/10