Jun 05, 2004 03:15 PM
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(Updated Jun 05, 2004 03:15 PM)
For all the readers of J.K.Rowlings books and others who watched the first 2 books made into movies which though entertaining yet left a sour taste, there is reason for cheer. In steps Alfonso Cuaron a talented director who has made many art movies.
For all of Chris Columbus' vision to bring Potter onto the screen he felt too attached to the book to take creative liberties. Cuaron is not burdened by such pressures and takes it upon himself to bring the 3rd book ''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'' to screen with his vision.
The film is greatly helped with most of the primary characters returning to play their roles. Harry(Daniel Radcliffe) spends his summer at the Dursleys. But unlike previous years he shows the teen spirit of rebellion and curiousness by working on his magic in secret. After a humorous incident with the obnoxious Aunt Marge, Harry escapes to the Leaky Cauldron.
To be credited here is the director's touch in the bus-ride scene. At the Cauldron he meets up with the Minister of Magic who's acting strange, yet happy that Harry's safe. Harry and his friends Ron(Rupert Grint) and Hermione(Emma Watson) enter Hogwarts for the 3rd year.
However a dangerous criminal, Sirius Black(Gary Oldman) has escaped from prison. ( A clever piece of special effects is shown in his posters). Escaping from Azkaban is something no living soul has done before. Hence he is considered extremely dangerous. A former supporter of Lord Voldemort, he is supposed to be on the hunt for the person who put him there indirectly i.e., Harry Potter. The Dementors are cruel, black creatures which kind of resemble, the Nazgul in Lord of the Rings.
They guard the Azkaban prisons and are sent to capture Sirius Black and guard the boundaries of Hogwarts. As most viewers of the second part know, Gilderoy Lockhart losing his memory also loses his job. Hence a new teacher Lupin is appointed as the Defense Against the Dark Arts. The calm and confident Remus Lupin(David Thewlis) is protective of Harry, due to his past with his parents.
Another new teacher is Sybill Trelawney played by Emma Thompson as the wonderfully quirky Divinations teacher. The remaining characters, Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid and Professor Dumbledore return reprising their roles. As the school year progresses, Harry experiences more trouble than the past. But also with it crucial learning that helps him gain the skills and spirit to become a better wizard while he waits for Black. The Cast Of the Cast the three main characters Harry(Daniel), Ron(Rupert) and Hermione(Emma) do well.
Though it must be noted that Emma Watson does carry of her scenes with aplomb and Daniel with the burden of Harry's role does manage to exhibit the pain and torment well. It is a treat to watch Gary Oldman join this franchise. A seasoned thespian Oldman has shown the knack to make some of the more common place characters into unbelievable portrayals with depth, like in ''The Contender'' and ''Hannibal''. In the role of Sirius Black he brings in a presence that is the lynchpin in this movie. Alfonso Cuaron has turned this Harry Potter movie and given it different shades. A deep tone is present for most part of the dramatic scenes.
Yet he brings in vivid changes in the scenery and with slick editing and special effect manages to bring in realism to Hogwarts which looked like a Toy building in the first 2 parts. His story telling is grade-A stuff and skips some of the unnecessary stuff to weave a very compelling tale. Despite losing Richard Harris, he brings in thespian actor Michael Gambon to essay the role of Professor Dumbledore and he does not disappoint.
Some of the scenes to be looked forward to are the Quidditch scenes, the bus ride and the train journey to Hogwarts. For the Potter faithful, it maybe worthwhile to note that Mike Newell is currently directing the fourth Part, ''The Goblet of Fire'' due in 2005. In recent times the Lord of the Rings have set a very high standard in story telling of epics.
The Harry Potter Series despite being commerically successful did not stand a chance against the LOTR films on the quality of film-making, primarily because of the target audience. But ''The Prisoner of Azkaban'' brings the series closer to the LOTR series with its gripping story-telling, taut editing and impressive special effects.
