We are very excited about the new Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (trailer here), which opens in the U.S. on June 4th. Even our 4 year-old, who finds parts of the first two movies terrifying, has begged us to take her to see Potter 3 right when it comes out. She is feeling pretty darned brave after surviving the Haunted House, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and othe rsuch perils as Disney World last week.
The reviews thus far for the film have been very strong: The Mirror:
- New director Alfonso Cuaron's bold plunge into the world of wizardry's darker side has produced an absorbing film with a very different flavour from Harry's first two big-screen adventures.
Daniel Radcliffe's famous bespectacled features have become synonymous with the engaging character whom author JK Rowling has turned into a global phenomenon.
The Prisoner Of Azkaban also features Harry's trusty companions, know-all Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron, hilariously played by the excellent Rupert Grint. In this film, the 13-year-old Harry is more cynical and more confused as he faces up to the grim fact that his true fears are within him.
- Daniel Radcliffe is fantastic in this edition. Rupert Grint's (Weasley) defuses a scene effortlessly and that is true magic.
Every now and again you see an actress so young and gifted that she makes one take pause. Emma Watson (Hermione) is a miniature adolescent Grace Kelly.
Alfonso Cuaron he startled me throughout the film with cinematic devices, emotional directions and stylistic flourishes.
Cuaron really has such a light touch to this story, in the end it all feels so easy, so elegant and so effortless. He understands magic more purely than anyone I'm watching make films today.
- Azkaban rocks. Sure, there's a werewolf and a hippogriff and a bunch of other magical stuff, but the real reason this third film in the series outshines the others is that it's about something far more frightening than failing your Potions final or facing Lord Voldemort. It's about being 13.
Cuaron's efforts would have been for naught if the three stars - Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Emma Watson (Hermione) and Rupert Grint (Ron) weren't up to the task.
But their performances, Radcliffe's in particular, are far more impressive this time around.
There is some dispute over whether the current cast will be able to complete all seven films - Azkaban director Alfonso Cuaron says yes:
- The director of the third Harry Potter film has said he believes the film's teenage stars will stay in their roles for the full seven-film series.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuaron said on Tuesday he hoped they would stay on.
Article comments
1 - Maura
Have to disagree Eric. I thought the first two films were overly-long and boring (but I'm not the target market of course).
I think the kid who plays Harry Potter is limited (to say the least) in his acting ability, and Ron wears the same gormless face in each of the films. The girl who plays Hermione has genuine talent, and I predict an acting career for her beyond the Harry Potter flicks in the future. They are surrounded by a large, and talented, cast of supporting actors, which helps the movie, but not enough.
I'm pleased to hear there's been a change in director, and it might be what's needed to inject some genuine cinematic life into this series. So far it has suffered from the worst affliction of literary adaptation: trying to capture the books exactly. Cinema and literature are totally different mediums and require different approaches. Perhaps this third film will change my opinion of the Harry Potter series, but I'm not optimistic.
2 - Eric Olsen
I do not disagree that the first two films have had problems, including being too long, but I think the kids are great and most importantly, the films have effectively created Rowling's magical world. From all reports the new one solves most of the problems of the first two, which is why I am excited to see it.
3 - Eric Olsen
"Gormless" is a great word by the way, but Ron certainly exhibited more than a modicum of gorm in the crucial chess match in Potter 1.
4 - Kathryn
I think that all the films were great! I loved the way Hermione/Emma punched Malfoy/Tom! I love Dan and Rupert! They are so hot!
5 - Kathryn
I'm also 14 and at the moment boy-crazy but I have always loved Daniel!!!!!
6 - laura
I think daniel is a great actor and is soooooooooooooo fit and i think is funny and emma is a great actor
7 - Maddy
Maura, you are soo wrong! The first and second one's were the best by a mile! You have no idea what your saying! I Dan and Rupert soo much! {They are wonderful actors too! And really hott!}