 Movie
Reviews
with Evelyn Gough
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (PG)
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron
 Hmm - even Magic School looks boring... Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley.
By now every self-respecting Harry Potter fan has already seen this latest edition in the series, but what I would like to know is how many are now having nightmares? Are kids tougher than they used to be because believe me, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban would have scared the bejesus out of me when I was little.
Let's face it, you can't fight puberty and our three young heroes, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are growing up. Acknowledging this, Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron has taken them on a much darker, more mature adventure and lucky us, we get to go along for the ride.
Unable to take one more day under the same roof as his ghastly relatives Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) decides to run away. Sitting in the gutter wondering what to do, he had a premonition of danger as two glowing red eyes watch him from the shadows. Thankfully a magical purple triple-decker bus appears and Harry is soon on his way to Hogwarts with his two best friends.
But they're not out of danger yet. When their train mysteriously stops a terrifying creature known as a dementor (not to be confused with the Demtel Man) attacks Harry and he is saved in the nick of time by Hogwart's new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Remus Hopin (David Thewlis)
Turns out the dementors are searching for escaped prisoner Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), the man who betrayed Harry's parents to Lord Voldemort and now appears to have it in for Harry. But if that's the case, why are the dementors also out to get the young wizard?
I loved this third instalment in the Harry Potter series. It's dark and menacing and thanks to new director of photography, Michael Seresin, it's visually stunning.
And as for acting talent, you couldn't get a more impressive cast especially if, like me, you're a sucker for British stars of the calibre of Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane and Maggie Smith. And replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore is Michael Gambon.
Admittedly Daniel Radcliffe and Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy, could do with a few acting lessons but overall the young cast are also excellent.
In my opinion Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is too scary for the real littlies, but for those who are young at heart and magically inclined, it's a must see.
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