Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban

[PatrickvD]

I didn't see a thread for it yet, so I thought I'd start one. I saw it last wednesday and I have to say it is indeed as good as reviews say it is. It may have a few flaws but aside from that (I wont spoil for anyone) this is by far the best Potter movie yet. So what do you all think of it? Have you seen it already? It's really good

[TheZue]

I saw it last night and loved it:) I do like that the characters are growing up, and the movies are getting a bit darker; of course the books did too, but it's nice that they got a new director who reflects that very well. I hope that they can keep the same set of kids for the entire series, but JK Rowling is going to have to write a bit faster for that to happen I guess.

[PatrickvD]

according to BoxOfficeMojo HP3 grossed $41.22 million on friday alone and it is heading for a $125 million weekend. That would make it break all records. I think that is fantastic. Especially after Chamber of Secrets performing less good than Philosopher's Stone. The franchise lives again. Of course that is because book 3 is the best one.... and naturally the 3rd film as well. Go Potter!!!!

[TheZue]

Wow

I'm actually surprised, when we went to the 10pm showing last night it was only half full. Of course people in my town of exceptionally cheap and are probably all waiting for cheap tuesday

[Disneykid]

I was utterly and completely amazed. This totally blew the previous two (which I loved, btw) out of the water. What makes this one so much better is instead of re-enacting key scenes from the books literally like Chris Columbus did, Alfonso Cuaron has taken the spirit of the book and molded things that dealt with the main plot to best suit the film medium. The cinematography was breathtaking. Alfonso's obviously a fan of long, drawn out shots as am I, so seeing shots that moved around artistically for long periods of time thrilled me. The best example of this is towards the end (won't spoil) where the camera pans out from Harry and Hermione outside to a large clock tower, moves INTO the clock tower, through its gears, down the hallway, and up to the hospital wing. I also love how much more natural and less theatrical this one was in comparison to the first two. There's a scene with the Gryffindor boys in the common room just fooling around and having fun. It contributes nothing to the plot, but it was still a much needed scene because for the first time in the (film) series, we got to see the kids acting like kids and discover that Harry and Ron actually hang out with other people besides Hermione. The film was practically perfect, but that said, there are three flaws I found with the film, and ONLY three, one of which can be fixed with a director's cut:

(SPOILERS!!!)




1. I wish Alfonso had kept to the groundwork Chris had laid out more closely. Things like the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, the Whomping Willow's location, Hagrid's hut's location, etc. had changed from the previous films, which results in continuity errors between films. Here's hoping Mike Newell will at least keep with what Alfonso has established.

2. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs were never explained. Lupin knows all about the Marauders' Map, but it's never explained why. I had to explain to my mother about the relationship between James, Sirius, Lupin, and Pettigrew after the film because she was a bit lost. I'm pretty sure that this was explained, but then cut for the final film, so here's hoping an extended version in the future will provide better explanation for non-fans.

3. I absolutely HATE that last shot of the film with Harry zooming past the camera on his Firebolt and having it freeze frame on his face. That both glaringly abrupt and tv-movie quality cheese. Why couldn't he have ended it with Harry flying past the camera with a nice long shot of Hogwarts to close with like with the previous films?

Other than those fairly small things, the movie was brilliant. I'm worried, though, that after a movie this excellent Mike Newell will disappoint with his Goblet of Fire adaptation. I really hope Alfonso comes back for Order of the Phoenix because he loved the teen angst in PoA and I know he'll go wonderfully nuts with it in OotP.

[PatrickvD]

I was most annoyed by one thing and one thing only: (SPOILER)

SPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILER

The fat lady in the Gryffendor tower entrance is suddenly like 40 years younger. Plus the fact that the entrance was relocated within the castle. I mean, sure the straircases move, but no entire towers, right?? And I agree that some relationships needed more explaining.

[PatrickvD]

I really hope Alfonso comes back for Order of the Phoenix because he loved the teen angst in PoA and I know he'll go wonderfully nuts with it in OotP.

I agree, and I sure hope he will return for OOTP

[Matty-Mouse]

I was most annoyed by one thing and one thing only: (SPOILER)

SPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILERSPOILER

The fat lady in the Gryffendor tower entrance is suddenly like 40 years younger. Plus the fact that the entrance was relocated within the castle. I mean, sure the straircases move, but no entire towers, right?? And I agree that some relationships needed more explaining.

SPOILERS
There's a reason for that, I think (I could be wrong though and if I am I apologise) but I think Liz Spriggs who played her in the first film past on.
Dawn French (the current Fat Lady) is a hugh (in more ways than one) British comic (probably our #1 female comic) and so when they decided that the character would be a humour one, they obviously looked for a more "Comidic" actress for the role.

Personally I loved Dawn as the Fat Lady and felt she was under used. I too didn't like how there was a lot of vitual information left out (the whole history of Lupin and the history between Snape, James, Sirius).
Luckily Hermione came out of her "Smart friend" role like she was in the first two films, but I wish they'd had more of her losing it.

Not a bad movie (everything that was there was brilliant) but I wished that they hadn't cut so much.

[TheZue]

It's so hard not to cut things out of the books though. Rowling is such a great writer that with the first book it took me less time to read it than watch the movie; and there was way more information. Not many writers can cram so much information into so little words. As the books get longer they are going to have to cut more and more, they could almost make a whole movie on the quidich championships in the fourth book since the writing was so rich.

[PatrickvD]

There's a reason for that, I think (I could be wrong though and if I am I apologise) but I think Liz Spriggs who played her in the first film past on.

Nope, I checked, she's alive and kicking. According to the Internet Movie Database she's actually filming a movie right now. I think they didnt want to risk a situation like they had with replacing Dumbledore. She isn't a big part so it would go unnoticed if they'd make her younger and we can assume she'll still be there for the other movies for the franchise.... I think I just answered my own questions

[pinkrenata]

I saw it Friday night. Overall, I was very pleased with the directing style, although so many small explanations were left out which, I think, makes the movie less meaningful for someone who hasn't already read the book. Like my friend who saw it with me mentioned, the part at the end of all the books/movies where Dumbledore reveals the connections between all the events has been cut out. Although I'm sure this was a deliberate choice, I don't know if it was the best.

[Natedogg9129]

I saw it thursday night at midnight, and then on friday and thought it was "brilliant" i was a bit spectic though. Since i had recently read the book i noticed changes.



Spoilers

In the book their were actually three quiditch matches not one, but having the one is kind of understandible with time constrants and all.

The scenery changes were noticable, and were a bold step but i think they were good changes. They make the dark forest, and the movie look a bit more scary.

They also changed the minister from the second movie if anyone else noticed. He seems odd, i think, but it might be to make sure harry doesn't get scared.

[Ludwig Von Drake]

Overall it was the best Potter film so far however....

Spoiler

Harry never asks how Lupin knows about the map and it is never explained (Who are Mooney, Pasdfoot,.....)

Why does Harry get the broom at the end? It is supposed to be from Siruis to kill him.

The Quiditch match where harry patronus Carbb and Goyle who are dressed as dementors.

Hopefully there will be an extended edition on DVD though I doubt it.

Even though Curuon will not be comminbg back for Goblet of Fire it might be good since it will have a running time supposedly of 4 hours.

[DDMAN26]

But isn't Goblet of Fire supposed to be one movie?

[Disneykid]

Yes, and because of that, we don't really know what the running time will be. It WAS going to be 4 hours, chopped into two 2 hour films, but Alfonso Cuaron convinced Mike Newell that it can be done in one film. Just how long will that film be is anyone's guess. My guess is it will be about 3 hours. I honestly can't see them telling the story effectively in the normal 2 and a half, and I also can't see them making this over 3 (since they'd want to get as many showings per day as possible plus not have it be too long for the kiddies). We'll just have to wait and see...

[AwallaceUNC]

Spoilers from here on out

After waiting in line for 2.5 hours for tickets, and another hour for our big group to get into the theater, I saw it on opening night. Simply amazing! By far the best of the series, and I can't wait to see it again.

I felt more involved with this film, more than just the "Oh my God, it's Harry Potter" that I felt with the first two. There were actual emotional pulls that made me feel along with the characters. This was done with little scenes, like them playing in the room, especially as the camera zoomed out of the window.

The acting in this movie was, as was expected, a phenomenal improvement from COS, which had improved on its predecessor as well. Daniel still had a moment or two of overacting, but this improves with each film, and Rupert and Emma gave me no real complaints. The new Dumbledore- on the few occasions that he appeared on the screen- wasn't as good as Richard Harris, but what can you do? All in all, he's not a bad replacement, and I can quickly get used to him. I guess they were worried about audience reaction to him, and that's why he was barely in the movie, but that's a decision that I don't agree with. If he's Dumbledore, he's Dumbledore- far too important to leave out. I feel bad for Maggie Smith, as she was heavily sheisted in this movie. I think she had like 5 lines. If you're going to leave in only 3 or 4 teachers, at least give them a little more time. Trelawney and Marge were perfect, and I liked Lupin a lot too, though he was a bit punier than I've always imagined. Neville lost so much wight that I barely recognized him! He needs to put it back on, lol. I don't think they should have changed the fat lady. The new one is a better actress, but once you pick someone, stick with her. It stuck out horribly. (Oh, and it's the same Cornelius Fudge- he just looks a tad different. You weren't the only one to think that).

The score was by far the best. I loved the use of chime-like sounds throughout the film- brilliant foreshadowing through sound! John Williams is a genius, and he outdid his own 2 previous scores. And Hedwig's theme was actually with Hedwig this time, lol.

The direction and cinematography were amazing. Colombus was the right guy for the tone of the first two movies, but Cuaron was perfect for this one. I wish he was staying on board for #4... I don't know anything about this other guy. I had a lot of worries about Cuaron after watching Y Tu Ma-whatever it is, but they were all appeased. Like Kelvin said, there were some beautiful shots in the film, and the directorial tone (as well as the tone of the producing) conveyed the dark tone that the book carries. It felt a lot scarier. Bravo! Cuaron deserves a nom for Best Director, if not a win.

The pace was a lot brisker this time, which had its ups and downs. It made the film a lot more engaging, but certain scenes felt cheapened (like Trelawney's first scene) by the pace. For a while it was Character A: 'Harry, you're in trouble,' Character B: 'Harry, watch out!,' Character C: 'Harry, you'll die!' It was a bit much and a bit rapid. Not too bad, though. The most rushed scene was the Shrieking Shack scene. I was able to follow it, but its alarmingly swift pace blew some of my friends' minds, and they were totally confused. You can't make a movie just for those who've read the book.

The sets looked better, but smaller. The grandure of the Hogwarts layout was slightly shafted, and I'm not sure why. Don't fix what's not broken.

Plot problems: I didn't have too many. My biggest beef: WHY? did they leave out the scene where Harry awakes to Serius holding the knife over him? Oh, I know: to keep the PG rating. Boooo! This was a PG-13 film, and perhaps the pinnacle of suspense in the book was robbed for the movie, and instead we got Ron's spiders nightmare (giggles over gasps). It's obvious that the movies can't be all-encompassing of the books, and certain things have to go. Quidditch matches are those things. It's a movie, not ESPN. Multiple games would come off as redundant, which is why there has been only one in each of the movies (and there may not be any in the 4th). I have no problem with the less relevant games being overlooked on screen, so long as the important parts are left in. I didn't really mind the Firebolt/Quidditch change, because run time is going to mandate some changes in every film, and it works just fine without it. On screen, I think that scene would look to be a little repetitive of the first two movies' Quidditch fiascos, as well. I also think a bigger deal should have been made of Peter Pettigrew having escaped. Harry re-mentioning what Trelawney prophesied would have been sufficient.

Explanations: Two things were severely overlooked. The Mooney/Wormtail/Prong/padfoot/Animagus/map situation absolutely HAS to be explained, there's no way around it if they continue to make these movies. I guess they'll tie it in to the 4th movie, but why did Rowling let them get away with overlooking it?
Also, what about the safe room? McGonogall and Fudge touched on it, but they didn't go into the details of how all that works. Maybe that's not explained until the 4th book, though... I can't recall.

Overall, it was a great film. It had its flaws, and felt slightly disconnected from the overall series, but that's also true of the 3rd book. The flaws present in the film were far less numerous than the first two (which I also loved). The time-turner scenes were pulled off so well. The run time was much shorter than the first two, and there was no reason for it. Every last problem exhibited in this film could have been resolved if it would have simply kept the same runtime as the first two. Stop making it just for kids.

As for the next one... the 4th is my favorite book. They can cut out a good deal of the summer material, but I don't see how this can be any less than a 4 hour movie, whether it be in one part or two.

-Aaron

[Just Myself]

Best of the three, in my opinion. Want to see it again.

[Ludwig Von Drake]

WHY? did they leave out the scene where Harry awakes to Serius holding the knife over him?

It was Ron who woke up to Sirius if you thought that it was Harry I'm not sure if your remember why Sirius was there.

Also I think the main reason why it was better was that it treated like a real movie this time. I think it is also the differenc between the original Star Wars trilogy and Episode 1. It was darker, there were different camera angles and so forth hopefully Curuon will come back for at least one mmore movie.

Maybe the missing info means that there might be an extended DVD edition.

[AwallaceUNC]

Yeah, I meant Ron, just a mistype. It still should have been included. Extended cuts are all well and good, but the actual movie is what matters.

-Aaron

[pinkrenata]

I just picked up the latest edition of Entertainment Weekly for the Harry Potter article, and it distinctly said that there would be no cut scenes as the cuts had been done to the screenplay before filming even began. Sorry kids!