Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1410 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-06-15
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 132 minutes

Synopsis
In this adaptation of the third book in J.K. Rowling's best-selling series, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his best friends Hermoine (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), must face the dangerous convict Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who has ties with their enemy Lord Voldemort. The spectacular fantasy-adventure action of the earlier movies (SORCERER'S STONE and CHAMBER OF SECRETS) is once again presented here, as Alfonso Cuaron lends his unique directorial style to recreating Rowling's magical story on celluloid. A scarier, darker story than the first two, this one concerns the mystery behind why Sirius Black is tracking Harry Potter. Slowly Harry and his friends unravel the clues, and learn secrets about Harry's parents that had all along been hidden from him. Meanwhile, because the deranged Sirius poses a threat to all students at Hogwarts, the school enlists 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 core. Yet even these chilling obstacles don't dampen the spirits of the youthful wizards, who meet Buckbeak--a giant flying hawk-horse creature, welcome a new dark arts teacher (David Thewlis) and a new divination teacher (Emma Thompson), and are still determined to beat the rival Slytherin team in Quidditch. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN offers a visually stunning interpretation of the revered book, and will thrill viewers with its special effects, it's penetrating John Williams score, and its superb performances.

Note to customers: There is a trailer for The Polar Express which link into the start of Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban.

Customer Reviews

Finally a director who actually manages to do the book justice!
In the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry and friends must face the dangerous convict Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman). Black has escaped from Azkaban prison and everyone is after him, but all is not as it seems...

Director Alfonso Cuarón brings his own unique style to this movie franchise - darker and more expressive than its predecessors, a genuine slice of movie magic. Gone are the three young, inexperienced actors of the first two films. We now start to see them as the stellar actors they are. Radcliffe [Harry] is still a little wooden but this is the film that really showcases the talents of Grint [Ron] and Watson [Hermione]. The script is fantastic, the sets are magical (particuarly the snowy hogsmeade) and the supporting cast are simply exceptional. And nothing quite prepares you for the first sight of the chilling dementors!

The highlight of the series so far. Perhaps unsuitable for small children but anyone above the age of 7 or 8 will love this film.

Candyfloss for the eyes
It tries to be as dark as the last film, setting many of its outside scenes at night or in stormy weather but somehow the movie fails to convince. It should be a dark and oppressive piece but the direction is much too weak to convey anything much beyond mild depression. The acting is uniformly good, but the cast have little material to work with and sink their teeth into and even Gary Oldman can do little with the script to bring out a convincing psycopath, something he's usually very good at. I think it's ironic that the domestic hell of the Dursleys is as nasty as Harry being attacked by the dementors. I think this is the first real failure of the movie series, especially as I consider the book to be one of the best. This cannot be the fault of the source material, or the cast, so the director must take the blame for it. Also many of the sets are radically different to the first two filsm, Hagrids hut has been moved quite a distance away from the grounds, whereas before it was located right outside the main gate. Also the bridge is a new feature, entirely absent in the first two films and the womping willow has not only changed locations but also changed shape too! Also missing is the hollywood gloss of the first two movies, instead the film has a low budget look and feel to it, as if it had a fraction of the money spent on it that went into the first two movies. Perhaps because it no longer had to compete against the Lord of the Rings it had less investment because it didn't have any competition to stand up against?

How to keep the kids entertained
Son (8 3/4) has read all the books over the summer and is now working his way throught the films. Daughter (6)does everything older brother does and is also enjoying the movies. They have watched the movie several times now. The only downside is the necessity to plan wizards afterwards