By: debbie lynn elias
With all the anticipation, pomp and circumstance surrounding the release of one of the J.K. Rowling novels, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” hits theaters this Friday and not a moment too soon. With director Alfonso Cuaron taking the reins from Chris Columbus (who is still a producer), the magical world of Harry and Hogwarts is reinvigorated, reinvented and re-envisioned with a darkness, complexity and maturity that makes the film grow along with its principal characters and as a result, surpasses the magic of its predecessor films.
Harry Potter, now 13, together with best friends Ron and Hermione, returns to Hogwarts School of Withcraft and Wizardry for his third year. Needless to say, however, what school term at Hogwarts ever goes smoothly for the gang and this one is no exception. Seems that the vile murderous Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and is hell-bent and determined to find Harry. Rumor has it that Black, once friends with Harry’s parents, betrayed them to Lord Voldemort who led them to their untimely death. Now, Black is after Harry. However, in order to protect the school (and against Headmaster Dumbledore’s wishes), the Ministry of Magic sends in the Dementors. Floating spectral presences who are the keepers of the Azkaban prison, the Dementors feed off fear and can suck not only the joy, but the very life out of you. Harry, filled with fear, is fodder for the Dementors, enabling them to not only affect him, but those around him. What results is a story with more with more twists and turns than the Hogwarts Express.
As to be expected, we’ve not only got new characters galore, but new creatures and adventures galore. Besides the Dementors, we’ve got the Knight Bus, plus one of my returning faves – the Whomping Willow, not to mention the Hippogriff – a half-horse, half-eagle creature who is never more beauteous than when taking Harry for a ride through a moonlit sky over water, and of course, we’ve got Quidditch!!
As Harry, Ron and Hermione, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, are fully at ease in their characters’ skin and are maturing along with their characters. They bring a rare depth, believability and honesty to their roles that go beyond even that in the books. The chemistry among these three brings a magic all its own to the film. Notable is the performance of Daniel Radcliffe who, as Harry, brings a more varied range and complexity of emotions that intensifies with the film. And Emma Watson just shines with likability and brain-power.
Returning again are the incomparable Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Alan Rickman as Potionology Professor Snape and the huggably lovable Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, keeper of the keys and gates and who has now been given a position as a teacher. All are the perfect embodiment of their characters. This go round, however, Michael Gambone steps in for the late Richard Harris as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Although he does well in his 10 minutes on screen, in that brief period, it is evident that his performance lacks the sincerity and wisdom we came to know and love with Harris. Also enrolling for the first time are David Thewlis as Professor Lupin, Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Emma Thompson as the quirky Professor Sybil Trelawney and Gary Oldman as Sirius Black. Thewlis brings an effectively tact yet tortured aspect to Lupin that stays with you long after film’s end while Thompson is a laugh a minute. But the standout performance is that of Oldman. Although more of a presence in the film than actual character, Oldman is the embodiment of evil psychosis and can cast mere looks that send shivers down one’s spine.
Technically, the film is a masterpiece. Michael Seresin’s cinematography, while more subdued than that found in the prior Potter films, eloquently captures the darker atmospheric essence of the story with a pallette of grays and blues giving the screen the look of a glorious canvas. Blending beautifully with the cinematography is Stuart Craig’s production design and the art direction of Alan Gilmore and his team. Perhaps the best example of their combined works (together with that of some impeccable CGI) is the flight of the hippogriff. Breathtakingly beautiful. And as for the CGI, enough can’t be said. Although the CGI in the prior two films was excellent, that pales in comparison to what is done here where we now have a flawless fluidity that creates a seamless believability.
More than adequately capturing the essence of the Rowling book, screenwriter Steven Kloves, who also wrote the prior two Potter screenplays as well as the upcoming “Goblet of Fire”, delivers a meticulous work ripe with nuanced subleties that are guaranteed to result in multiple viewings just to make sure you “don’t miss a thing.” Kloves, a man who knows these characters and story almost as well as creator/author Rowling, brings a narrative depth that never overpowers or overshadows the base story and yet blends effortlessly with the spectacular visuals. But what would this film be without the guiding eye of director Alfonso Cuaron. A smart move by producer Chris Columbus to turn this film over to someone other than himself given the darker material of this third installment, Cuaron has the innate ability to bring beauty to darkness while retaining the story premise. He also left well enough alone and did not disturb the mix of the characters and did not tamper with the beloved aspects of the world of Harry and Hogwarts, but still managed to add new vision and dimension to the tale. Do I hear a Best Director nomination in the works comes January 2005?
Capping off the entire work is the chamber-music inspired score by John Williams. Less conventional than in the prior films, Williams retains the central theme yet adds some effective new music more in keeping with the essence of the story.
Yep. Hogwarts is back in session! And not a moment too soon. And although I’ve said it before, I’ve got to say it again, a technical and visual masterpiece. “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” — simply “spectacular, spectacular” !!!
And for all you die hard Potter fans like myself, already lensing is “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” due out in 2005. I wonder if it’s too late to enroll for next term!
Harry Potter: Daniel Racliffe Hermione Granger: Emma Watson Ron Weasley: Rupert Grint Maggie Smith: Professor McGonagll Alan Rickman: Professor Snape Robbie Coltrane: Hagrid David Thewlis: Professor Lupin Gary Oldman: Sirius Black
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Written by Steven Kloves based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. Rated PG. (142 min)
