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Writer's pictureJulio Ramirez

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) Review




THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.


The older you get and the more you go to school, you’re gonna learn things you never thought you’d find. You don’t believe me? Look at Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

PLOT

Based on the JK Rowling novel, the film follows the iconic young wizard go through another thrilling year in Hogwarts. The story begins with him leaving the home of the Dursleys after unknowingly use magic upon his cruel Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris). He would take the magical 'Knight Bus' to rest at the Leaky Caludron before the new semester begins. He would meet the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy) who would inform him he won't be expelled for something he did on accident. Shortly after reuniting with his friends Ron Weasley & Hermione Granger, he would be reminded from the former's father Arthur (Mark Williams) of the allegedly murderous Sirius Black. He relays to him that Black was convicted to Azkaban Prison for being a supporter to Lord Voldemort; He would then beg to not go after him since he is looking for him. Harry would share this to his friends upon the train to Hogwarts and shortly after this conversation, the Hogwarts Express would be boarded by Dementors, ghostly prison guards out searching for Black. When Harry encounters one, he would pass out. Thankfully, the students would be protected by the new Dark Arts Defense teacher Remus Lupin, who repels it with a Patronus Charm. When Harry recovers, the teacher explains of the creatures' intentions. Once everyone returns to Hogwarts, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore does inform the school that the Dementors will be patrolling the school until Black is found. On the first day of class, Rubeus Hagrid is appointed to teach Care of Magical Creatures. It almost goes well when teaching Harry to respect a hippogriff named Buckbeak. But the class ends terribly when Draco Malfoy makes the mistake of provoking it, causing the winged creature to slash his arm. When the student reports of what happened to his father Lucius, it would later be decided that Hagrid will keep his job for the semester, but Buckbeak will be executed for the incident. Harry, Ron & Hermione would also take Divination class taught by Sybill Trelawney and it is there where Potter realizes he's casted with an omen of death dubbed 'The Grim'. On the other hand, he would find comfort in Lupin's class when he'd teach him how to defeat a boggart, a creature that can shape shift into what one would fear the most. The teacher would further prove to be a protector towards him by casting a spell on his behalf, seeing his great fear to be Dementors. With Harry not able to get a letter of permission signed by the Dursleys to attend Hogsmeade with other third year students, he uses the spare time to converse with Lupin. The professor would share that he was friends with his parents and admits he intervened in class out of worry the boggart would transform into Voldemort. After this conversation, the school would be alerted that Black has infiltrated the school, having Dumbledore send all students to sleep in the Great Hall for the night. The day after this, Severus Snape would substitute Lupin's class on his behalf when deemed incapable of teaching. During a game of Quidditch, Harry would be attacked by a Dementor again that causes him to faint again. Dumbledore would save him from falling to his death, but his broomstick would be destroyed by the Whomping Willow. When he reaches out to Lupin again, he asks why they go after him in which the teacher replies they go after people who have experienced tragedy. Knowing this, Potter asks to be taught the Patronus Charm, a shield spell, to defend himself against them, in which Lupin promises to do after winter break. During that said time period, Harry would sneak into Hogsmeade but before he does, Ron's older twin brothers Fred & George (James & Oliver Phelps) give him the Marauder's Map, a magical map showing everyone on campus and shows secret passages as well. He uses a particular passage to sneak in, while also using the Invisibility Cloak to remain undetected by teachers Although he would try spending time with his friends, that would change once overhearing a conversation involving Fudge, Minerva McGonnagall (Maggie Smith) and village local Madam Rosmerta (Julie Christie) about Sirius: Apparently, he was originally Harry's godfather who gave away their whereabouts to Voldemort and killed another mutual friend named Peter Pettigrew. The heartbreak only enrages the young Potter, as he now vows to kill the convict for this alleged betrayal. With winter break passing, Lupin keeps his word in teaching the Patronus Charm. The student would pull off learning overtime when practicing on a boggart. One night, he would see Pettigrew's name appear on the Marauder's Map, but wouldn't find him when trying to investigate. He would be spotted by Snape, but Lupin is able to defend him and take the map. Away from Snape, Remus would express disappointment for Harry to be irresponsible to use it with Sirius still out there. As punishment, he keeps the map from him. However before returning to his room, he shares that Pettigrew's name was on the map which can't be possible if he's presumed dead. After another day at Divination class, Harry would encounter Professor Trelawney in a trance, prophesying the return of the Dark Lord. The day after this, he joins Ron & Hermione to console Hagrid over Buckbeak's execution. They would watch it from afar to avoid being spotted by Dumbledore as they're not allowed off campus due to the search for Black. After the execution, Ron's pet rat Scabbers bites Ron and runs away. Just when he gets him back, both get taken by a black dog (believed to be the Grim) into the Shrieking Shack hidden under the Whomping Willow. Harry and Hermione are able to follow and discover that the dog was not the grim, but instead Sirius in animagus form. Harry considers killing him, but is stopped by Lupin who reveals to be an old friend to him. Hermione would then point out the latter has been missing classes because he's a werewolf and figured it out when Snape started subbing. Lupin and Black would confess that the true individual that sold out Harry's parents was Pettigrew. Snape would interfere and try to apprehend them, but Harry stuns him to know the rest of the truth. Lupin and Black would further explain that Pettigrew is Scabbers and faked his death after Harry's parents died, hence framing Black the whole time. Black would take Scabbers from Ron to force him back to human form, leading to his confession of betrayal. Black and Lupin consider killing him, but Harry suggests having him taken to Dumbledore, believing that's what his father wanted. Just when all leave the Shack, full moon rises and Lupin turns into a werewolf form. Snape does recover and tries to protect the students from the man beast, but Black holds him off in animagus form, giving Pettigrew the chance to escape. Harry would follow the two and hope to intervene, until Lupin hears the howl of another werewolf. When he tends to a wounded Sirius, a swarm of Dementors would appear and try to take the convict's soul, an action dubbed "Dementor's Kiss". Harry's Patronus Charm would not be strong enough to fend them off until another from afar casts a stronger version of the spell, causing all dementors. Harry would faint in the process, believing he saw his father save him. When he wakes up, he finds himself back in Hogwarts, being told by Hermione that Black has been captured. They do warn Dumbledore of his innocence and although he believes them, he warns them others won't. With no other option, he cryptically suggests Hermione to use the Time Turner necklace in hopes to save Black. She takes Harry with him moments before Buckbeak died, explaining the necklace is capable of traveling through time which she admittedly used to take multiple classes at once. Undetected, they free Buckbeak and alert their younger selves of Dumbledore's arrival. And later on, Hermione does the howl to save Harry, in which Buckbeak protects them both from the werewolf Lupin. Harry is then able to save himself by casting his strongest Patronus Charm. After this, he and Hermione are able to free Black and allow him to run with Buckbeak. They both return to the hospital in time, only to leave Ron confused of it all. By the end of the school year, Lupin announces his resignation after Snape reported his curse. As he says goodbye, he gives him back the Marauder's Map and assures him he made a difference in freeing Black despite Pettigrew getting away. The film would end with Harry being gifted the fastest broom, the Firebolt, secretly sent by Sirius.

THOUGHTS

Franchises can benefit on gaining maturity overtime and I don’t think anyone can do it better than this one because it’s so visible on how mature the setting gets. With respect to Chris Columbus’s efforts with the first two entries, Director Alfonso Cuarón is able to push the boundaries needed to show the world is changing as we know it, without letting go of any charm we appreciate it for. For the last time, John Williams would compose a compelling score to set the right mood on how twisted and complex, yet memorable the world can be in our eyes. The setting of Hogwarts is refreshing once again because while each set piece looks quite refurbished, the combo of practical and visual effects are arguably at their best here. The simple things like the Book of Monsters is visually striking while seeing the likes of the majestic Buckbeak or the frightening Dementors are surreal to behold. Even the design of Lupin’s werewolf form is frighteningly disturbing as expected. The fantasy genre always lets loose on all concepts, so I should’ve been prepared for the unexpected because of a movie with a werewolf and the use of time travel is not something I expected to see all at once, yet it paid off. To me, that concept fits into the quite well because I think it brings the theme full circle: No matter how unfair life can get, you can’t give up on what you believe in because there will be a pay off in the long run. Daniel Radcliffe continues to grow up in front of us and uses that to his advantage to give appropriate as the infamous lead. Harry is still a hero we look up to because despite all the anger he has deep down, he does his best in staying true to the morals he set for himself. You relate to him a lot here though because he so desperate to know the truth that he knocked out Snape to get it. He likely would have been satisfied if he allowed Peter to die, but he chose to spare him because he was aware it wasn’t gonna favor anyone in the long run; It wouldn’t change what happened to Lily & James, nor will Sirius have potential evidence to free him. You also relate to Harry on wanting to be better than what he already is, which he pulls off when mastering the Patronus Charm. Every time he used it, it felt so breathtaking to witness because you just sensed his will get stronger and it’s proven as he chooses to keep his head up by the end of it. We’re always gonna be rooting for him to be happy because it’s visible he doesn’t deserve to be miserable. So seeing him ride Buckbeak and the Firebolt had us feel as happy as he was each time, teaching us there’s always time to not worry and live in the moment. The fight ain’t over, but at least he ain’t gonna let it consume him. On the bright side, he’s still got friends by his side. Emma Watson really tests us here because she shows Hermione as one whose almost overstaying her welcome being overly booksmart. Nevertheless, she still uses it to a harmless advantage. In all honesty, I probably would time travel to take multiple classes and graduate early. Apart from being the smartest, she still pushes her own boundaries by putting her bravery to the test by punching the cruel Draco and howls at Lupin to save Harry. You always gotta respect a friend like that. You can argue that Ron feels shelved here when getting injured and not being able to help out as much as before. However, Rupert Grint reminds us he’s still another loyal friend to Harry when we he listens to his dilemmas. I actually felt quite joy when he got spider-guised bogart on shoes. I mean it’s hard to not find it funny for an arachnid to have trouble walking. When Richard Harris passed away, every fan was wondering how the franchise can go on without him. Unsurprisingly, we got a replacement that was able to enhance everything that made Dumbledore special to us all. Michael Gambon was quite the suitable choice because he’s still wise enough to give Harry & Hermione a path to set things right. And from there, the appreciation for him only grows. The results weren’t perfect, but at least they made success. No one is closer in defeating the enemy at this point, but at least this shows Dumbledore will be by Harry’s side no matter what the way he would with others close to him. You guys already know hating Hagrid is going to be impossible because Robbie Coltrane always makes him the most gentle of characters. Considering that he’s always got a love for unordinary creatures like the giant spiders, it ain’t a surprise for him to feel the same for Buckbeak. We definitely felt bad for him since we all know the whole incident was an accident and he did not deserve such a sentence. Knowing this would be a great relief Harry & Hermione would take advantage in rescuing them. Hagrid definitely was surprised of him taking off, but at least he can live freely now. If there’s anything I’m always going to be reminded in movies, it’ll be to stop judging a book by the cover which is quite the point with the additions of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. From the photograph alone, Gary Oldman had us fooled that Black was dangerous when he was really a brooding and brave guy trying to avenge the fallen. And as for Lupin, David Thewlis showed him as one who has his own compassion and tries to be calm despite his own circumstances. What both teach Harry is that failure leads to success. Pettigrew may have gotten away again, but at least Black is free from a sentence he never deserved. Snape is always going to be seen as one who was quite deceptive in his lifetime and it continues here. Alan Rickman shows him as one who has a chip on his shoulder when the past is haunting him as well due to Lupin and Black returning to Hogwarts, two people he didn’t get along with in their youth. However, he still maintains the most of his focus on protecting his students and he proves that when trying to shield the trio from the werewolf. It wasn’t cool for him to snitch, but you can’t say there wasn’t a greater good to it because now, another werewolf incident won’t have to happen again. If there is anything interesting about this franchise, it is how colorful of characters we tend to see. In a minimum amount of time, Emma Thompson caught our attention in making Trelawney an interesting figure as she is warm for someone who is the eccentric of teachers to this point. Although not every prediction can come true from her, it’s beneficial for the ones that do. With the thanks of an ensemble mixed with old and new characters, it becomes very clear as it all unfolds. We all know Voldemort is the franchise’s main threat and we can all keep on praising Tom Felton for making one hell of a brat out of Draco, but I don’t think there is that much of an argument when saying the main enemy here was Pettigrew. Timothy Spall sold it big time in making him a big ass coward. He refused to be a loyal friend and chose to survive out of fear. Seeing his animagus be a rat seals the deal on how horrible of an individual he’s always been. He may have not ever sent to Azkaban, but at least Harry can go on knowing the truth. This movie was quite the joy to get through, but good stuff like this are bound to have moments that don't make sense, which I caught onto upon re-watching. For instance, what the hell was Sirius gonna do if the Knight Bus didn't show up so fast? I know Harry is his godson, but he's already putting too much at risk encountering in his animagus form. And ain't it pretty crazy how the Dementors hover over the water when Albus announced they'd watch over the grounds of the school? I mean the timing is just ironic because that not near the entrances. I feel like I gotta point it out because it's not like Sirius would actually swim to Hogwarts. It's definitely bothersome when we don't see them in the background at least during day time scenes. And it gets a little weird no one notices a floating lollipop. I don't want Harry to get caught sneaking out but in a world where magic is normal, this shouldn't been easy to ignore compared to passing through a choir. McGonagall doesn't even freak out when the door opens on its own. If she doesn't want anyone to eavesdrop, she should've checked for enchantments. Also, why would Ron allow Harry to take Hermione's wand? He may have thought he'd take down Lupin or Black, but he should've known it'd be too big of a risk. I even have a hard time believing Black when saying he was going for the rat when he still chose to drag him by biting his leg. That's pretty fucked up since he has control as an animagus unlike Lupin as a werewolf. And how the fuck did Snape not hear Lupin's howl? He's not deaf since he ends up hearing his growls shortly after. On top of that, why the fuck was there no guard nor an enchantment to watch over Snape? I know Albus wanted him to break out, but I'm surprised we don't know if anyone insisted on something or someone to watch over him. It was just too damn easy for him to break out again. Once you try ignoring this, you'll still be enjoying the movie for what it is. In conclusion, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is another fascinating entry in the fantasy franchise for embracing various elements that make the experience all the more exciting. If you dug what was done the first two times, I'm sure you'll enjoy this change of pace.

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