Harry Potter

and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Alfonso Cuarón 2004

Dear Jim’ll Fix It…I want to be thirteen, I want to be a witch and I want to go to Hogwarts!

For me Alfonso Cuarón, the director of “Y tu mamá también” a highly acclaimed, sexually charged teen road movie, wouldn’t have been first choice for this latest Harry Potter film. Thankfully I’m not head of Warner Bros and he was chosen. And he has done an exceptional job.

In my eyes the Harry Potter films have just got better and better, due in part of course to the quality of the books. Each film is like meeting up with old friends and has a comfy feel to it.
Once again the acting talent involved in this film reads like a who’s who of British acting. David Thewlis and Gary Oldman giving powerful performances. The young stars too have improved greatly, Rupert Grint showing a wonderful comic talent.

Cuarón adds new dimensions to Hogwarts, making what was familiar brand new. Visually, also, Cuarón brings in many neat touches, some wonderful close ups and great moment when the Whomping Willow shakes ice off its branches and it seems to hit the screen and slide down.

All in all the Potter films continue to be the most impressive and intelligent (kids) film around. My only grumble had to be Michael Gambon as Dumbledore, who for some reason spoke with an Irish accent. Even though the previous Dumbledore, Richard Harris, was Irish, I can’t say that for me, the accent was ever apparent.

I love the books, I loved this film and I am continually impressed with the skill involved in making these films. An absolute ‘Must See’!