Critic's Grade: A-

The magic and mayhem of J.K. Rowling's wonderful fantasy novels continues in the third big-screen adaptation from the series, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Making way for a new director, a darker tone and a few additions to the cast, the wizard's Muggle fans will line up to see whether or not the third installment is as good as its previous brethren.

Harry Potter (Daniele Radcliffe) is anxiously awaiting his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchraft and Wizardry, an in institutions for young wizards in training. Before he is to return, however, he must spend his summer with the dismal Dursleys, who have invited their aunt Marge to spend some time with the family. After making numerous dog references referring to Harry's deceased parents, the boy wizard finally goes overboard. He casts a spell on her that turns the old bat into a balloon, sending her high above the neighborhood, where she lingers there on end. Harry then flees the house and runs away, expecting that he'll be expelled from Hogwarts (this is because students are not permitted to use magic outside of school). However, he is more than surprised when he is picked up by an enchanted, triple-decker bus and whisked away to the Leaky Culdron Inn, where the head of the Ministry of Magic, Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy), informs him that no punishment will result from his actions. Harry, rather confused, soon learns that the reason why he is being monitored and why he is being treated fairly is because a demented criminal named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, a maximum security prison for wizards that is designed to destroy your soul. Black was believed to have been involved in Harry's parents' murder, handing them over to the dark Lord Voldemort. After reuniting with his friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (Emma Watson), Harry returns to Hogwarts, where he is brought to face an even deeper fear. He is approached by a dementor, an Azkaban guard that's sole purpose is to deprive its subjects of any joy whatsoever. The dementor has no mercy and kills its victims with a kiss, which eliminates the soul. At Hogwarts, Harry is reunited with Professor Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), who has been given a teaching position as the head of magical monsters. His job, however, is threatened by the devious Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), who threatens legal action after he is bitten by a wonderful creature known as Buckbeak the Hippogriff. Harry also meets Professor Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), who soon becomes his mentor to help him overcome his fear of the dementors and Sirius Black, and to learn about his connections with his father.

Alfonso Cuaron brings a beautiful cinematic style to "The Prisoner of Azkaban," delivering touches that are very reminiscent of Tim Burton. He is a worthy successor to Chris Columbus, despite some minor flaws. While the scenery is indeed stunning, I believe Cuaron over did it with giant boulders scattered around the castle grounds. While they are decent touches, they just don't fit into the film as well as some of the other landmarks, like a large clock tower and a covered bridge that crosses a gaping valley. Cuaron, who directed the independent films "Y Tu Mama Tambien" and "A Little Princess," falls short of the magic that Columbus had with the first two movies. Another element that may dissapoint fans is the content, which has the film cut down to two hours and fifteen minutes, not nearly enough time to cover the fundimentals of my favorite book in the series. Not looking at it from a reader's perspective, though, the movie works on more levels than one.

The on-screen chemistry brought by lead actors Radcliffe, Grint and Watson is a one-of-a-kind thing in film. They are able to make their characters grow as they mature throughout the franchise. While it may be inevitable that they grow out of the roles at some point, I can only imagine these actors playing the three central characters. Gary Oldman, who has a nack for playing a bad man in several films, is an added bonus to the film, even though his screen time is cut short. The same goes for David Thewlis, who adds a charming character who harbors a dark secret. Michael Gambon, who succeeds Richard Harris as Dumbledore, is a worthy successor. Old players such as Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith are allowed time to grow on screen, and I believe that they are perfectly cast in the "Potter" films.

While the film may be too fast paced and a bit out of place, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is another decent installment in the franchise. Alfonso Cuaron's experimental film methods worked to an extent throughout the course of the film, and the cast, alongside some creepy effects, caused "The Prisoner of Azkaban" to achieve its greatness. However, here's hoping that "Potter" doesn't become the next "Batman" franchise, with "The Goblet of Fire," a very thick novel, bombing in terms of content and box office numbers. Yet, I believe that this story still has enough magic to make it to the end.

My Score: 8 (out of 10)

All Reviews by Jordan Boyd
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