Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3087 in VHS
• Released on: 2004-11-19
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 136 minutes

Synopsis
Adapted from J.K. Rowling's third novel, this family fantasy adventure story finds Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe) and his best friends Hermione (played by Emma Watson) and Ron (played by Rupert Grint), facing the dangerous convict Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman). Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban Prison and is said to be on his way to Hogwarts.
A dark story which follows the mystery behind why Sirius Black is tracking Harry Potter. Slowly Harry and his friends unravel the clues, and learn the secret about Harry's dead parents. Meanwhile, the threat of the deranged Sirius sees Hogwarts enlisting a group of daunting black ghosts called Dementors to stand guard. These flying ghouls have a powerful effect on Harry and frighten him to his very soul. But these horrors can't dampen the spirits of the youthful wizards, who meet Buckbeak, a giant flying hawk-horse creature. There are also two new appointments at Hogwarts which finds the students getting to know a new dark arts teacher (played by David Thewlis) and a divination teacher (played by Emma Thompson). And the term wouldn't be complete without the on-going rivalry in Quidditch between the Slytherin and Gryffindor house teams.

Customer Reviews

makes the first 2 look like amateur productions
This film completely puts the first two in the shade. The change of director works very successfully and the main thing we notice is that the schoolwizards aren't constantly in uniform! Yes, we actually get to see Harry et al in jeans, hoodies and trainers. The characters are a great deal more rounded with much more humour and feeling. The CGI is stunning, even when used for mundane background action. I only have two complaints about this excellent film; the first is that I just cannot get away from Hermione (Emma Watson) and her complete overacting. It is something which bugs me like an itch through the whole film. The other problem is that if you have read the book, there are several glaring plot omissions which are very noticeably absent. It doesn't explain how Lupin became what he is, who made the Marauders' Map, or why Harry's Patronus is a stag. It also omits the very satisfying part where Harry's Hogsmeade permission slip has been signed. There are others besides and, while I am by no means a Potter nut,their absence was a pain in the bum because they were all relevant and I was very surprised that they were left out. However, this is thoroughly enjoyable and along with a cracking story it gives us a much more expansive view of life at Hogwarts and even a closer look at the surrounding grounds.

The best in the series
When I say the best in the series, I am not being subjective and describing the book. For me, The Goblet of Fire is the best Potter book. However, Prisoner of Azkaban is the best film, as it transcends the easy adaption of Rowling's characters and plotlines and utilises movie magic.

This film has a dark, atmospheric quality to it, so that it's more of a gothic drama than a family adventure film. The camera shots are more urgent and expressive, in contrast to Columbus' bog standard sentimental scenes. The adult actors (Thompson, Oldman, Rickman etc) are on top form, over-the-top one minute and subtle the next.

The extras to the dvd are satisfactory, although it seems likely that commentaries and extensive behind-the-scenes footage are being held back to a later planned Special Edition.

The only real complaint I had with the movie was the severe underusage of poor Crookshanks...

Spellbinding!
The third in the series is the best so far, without a doubt prisoner of azkaban is superb! The gang (Harry, Hermione and Ron) are now entering the world of the teenager, meaning their in normal teenage clobber, jeans and trainers instead of school uniform all the time. The acting is brilliant - i easpecially liked the chioce of Micheal Gambon as the new Dumbledore, and Emma Thompson as the eccentric Prof Trelawney. The effects also in this movie are brilliant - from the bright bright lights of the wands, to the night bus to buckbeak - everything in this film is a delight. The previous Hp films in comparison seem really baby-ish compared to this one, adults need not feel guilty about watching this movie as it really is one which caters for adults and children alike. The casting is ingenious - Gary Oldman as Sirious Black and a special note has to be made about Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew / Scabbers. There are certain ommissions made like the marauders map, but overall you'd probably forgive this. In all a truly exciting, spectacular and magical film!