"Audiences won't be wild about this "Harry" with its dark, humorless approach." Jackie K Cooper JACKIEKCOOPER.COM "Cuaron's resume all but guarantees he'll be given the free ride that Columbus never enjoyed. Yet the truth is that, while far from a dud, this is the weakest of the films." Matt Brunson CREATIVE LOAFING "Cuarón steers the franchise away from popcorn fantasy entertainment. As a result he delivers a film which adults may find more rewarding but children less so." Michael Elliott MOVIE PARABLES "While voluptuously bringing to luscious life the kid-lit world of witchcraft, wizardry and bizarre creatures, has script and plotting as bland as the Hardy Boys." Phil Villarreal, ARIZONA DAILY STAR "Pitched to an older crowd." Gary Thompson, PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS

What The Critics Say

"The silliest, as well as the most contrived -- and confusing -- of them all." Rex Reed NEW YORK OBSERVER "You shouldn't have to read the book first, but you do." Chuck Schwartz CRANKY CRITIC® "It is perfect evidence for the obvious truth Potter fans must face. The only great Harry Potter movies will be those we create in our minds as readers." Nick Rogers STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER "Did we mention Chris Columbus didn't direct this film?" Jimmy O FILM SNOBS "...there is very little about this bloated package that delivered anything of great impact, particularly its story-line..." JoBlo JOBLO'S MOVIE EMPORIUM

At A Glance

"A spell whose effect - though effectively and expertly cast - will not likely last much longer than the time it takes to watch it." Todd Gilchrist FILMSTEW.COM

Being a critic, can at times, be hell. Especially when you're about to deliver a message many people may not want to read. But before I deliver that message of doom and gloom, let's just step back in time as I refresh your memories with what I had to say about the previous two 'Harry Potter' editions. When the first Harry Potter movie hit the screens I wrote; "Like Lemmings running headlong at a cliff, Australians will no doubt flock to see the latest blockbuster to hit our shores, when "Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone" opens on November the 29th." When the second movie made its debut I wrote; "I guess there must be, somewhere out there amongst all this gushing euphoria of just how wonderful the Harry Potter phenomena supposedly is, a lot of critics who dare not state the obvious about 'Harry 2' just in-case they are seen as 'rotters', 'spoil-sports' or just down right 'mean spirited bastards'." It's not easy standing in front of a tidal wave of critical approval, taking on the young wizard and his co-horts Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. One could go so far as to ask, "does anyone give a damn anyway?" The answer to that would probably be a resounding, "No!" Trying to convince Potter fans that all is not well with Harry, is akin to living in the 'Dark Ages' and trying to convince people that the world was round and not flat. That sailing too far would not send you plunging into oblivion. It would be many centuries before the truth was finally revealed; the world really was round! Sadly, to this very day, there are people who still think that the world is flat. In a so-called 'age of enlightenment' this is hard to comprehend. So, does going against a tide of opinion make me one of those 'mean spirited bastards'? I hope not. The difficulty when dealing with the Harry Potter phenomena is this; most of Harry's dedicated fans have read those wonderful J K Rowling books. Their minds are already filled with magical images and memories created from these delightful stories. They have been converted to Potterism. But when it comes to reviewing film, one can not be swayed from the task at hand. One must put these things aside. Some can do it. It seems Potter fans can not. Now I am not, strange as it may seem to some people, stupid. Far from it. Over the years I have had thousands and thousands of emails praising my reviews, and yes I can see many things in the Harry Potter movies that fans would find 'wicked' and to be truthful, this time round I was truly hoping for something in this the third edition "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban" that would excite me. Here's the sad truth; "I could hardly keep my eyes open. It was an absolute bore." The only thing that saved me from falling into a deep sleep during the 142 minutes run time [and having to sit through the film a second time] was the chatter coming from the youngsters seated behind me who managed to keep themselves entertained by kicking the back of the seats in my row or leaving their seat to sit on mum or dad's lap. And here's something else I noticed. I remember when the first Harry Potter film finished, it received a huge round of applause from the capacity audience. The second film received resounding approval judging by the way way the audience responded at the end. But not this one. No big applause, just a smattering of clappers,a megre handful offered up their audible approval. Potterites will have an answer to this. Those who had just witnessed the greatest Potter film to date, didn't have time for laudable applause, they were rushing out of the theatre so that they could spread the word, or is that words. Like 'Old Faithful', these human geysa couldn't wait. Like early day Christians, filled with the spirit and full of raging enthusiasm they wanted to 'go forth, spread the word, baptize everyone' and convert them to the new faith. "What!", you say. "Really Richard, that's taking it too far." Maybe, but indulge me a little further. Take the three main stars; Daniel Radcliffe [Harry Potter], Rupert Grint [Ron Weasley and a snivelling, whining little weazel at that] and Emma Watson [Hermione Granger]. Now remember, and this is an important point to remember [without taking away the fact that they are making a squillion out of these films], they are supposed to be thirteen year olds in "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban". Even the most feeble-minded viewer would be hard pressed to imagine them as thirteen year olds. It is just too much for the average human mind to comprehend. I know what you're thinking. Ha, Ha! You've got me on this one. Harry and his fellow would be wizards don't have to look thirteen. Harry Potter is aimed at the little ones and they can see Harry is still thirteen. Sorry, I give them a little more credit than that. I suspect they can see Harry and crew have really grown up. It all gets back to that question of "is the world round." Surely kids today aren't that stupid. And if the film is for kids, why was it initially given a rating of M15+. Sure, on appeal that rating was withdrawn [and replaced with a PG] but it still doesn't change the fact that the board [and notably a few others] have shown great concern at the content of these films when it comes to the little ones. Even the films distributor is quoted as saying that he didn't think the M15+ rating would have stopped anyone going to see the film. And while there are still a few responsible parents out there, let me say that from some of the film sessions I have attended [no, make that thousands of film sessions], I am really amazed at what most parents see as suitable for our younger impressionable viewers. Let's face it, how many parents really think Harry Potter is harmful to younger viewers. I doubt that there would be many at all. Putting that aside, even if you are not a Harry Potter fan and you are curious enough to go and have a look at the latest offering, this is a disjointed, uninspiring film at best. As for the three maturing stars, by the year 2007 when the fifth film is released I half suspect Harry will be happily married to Hermione who will have produced, through a little wizardry, a small bundle of joy, aptly named Harry Jnr. Cast & Crew Bytes "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban" was directed by Alfonso Cuarón ["A Little Princess", "Great Expectations", "Y tu mamá también" and "The Children of Men"], from the screenplay by Steve Kloves ["Racing with the Moon", "The Fabulous Baker Boys", "Flesh and Bone" and "Wonder Boys"], produced by Chris Columbus ["Nine Months", "Stepmom", "Bicentennial Man" and "Monkeybone"], David Heyman ["Juice", "The Stone Age", "Blind Justice" and "Ravenous"] and Mark Radcliffe ["Mrs Doubtfire", "Nine Months", "Stepmom" and "Bicentennial Man"], costume design by Jany Temime ["House Of America", "The Commissioner", "Invincible" and "A Family Man"], edited by Steven Weisberg ["A Little Princess", "The Cable Guy", "Nurse Betty" and "Men In Black II"], cinematography by Michael Seresin ["The Ragman's Daughter", "Midnight Express", "Angela's Ashes" and "The Life Of David Gale"] original music by John Williams ["Gidget Goes to Rome", "Valley of the Dolls", "Goodbye, Mr Chips" and "The Long Goodbye"] with Production Design by Stuart Craig ["The Elephant Man", "Cry Freedom", "The Secret Garden", "The English Patient" and "Notting Hill"].
"Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban" stars Daniel Radcliffe ["The Tailor of Panama"], Rupert Grint ["Thunderpants"], Emma Watson ["Harry Potter I & II"], Richard Griffiths ["Chariots Of Fire", "Gorky Park", "Guarding Tess", "Funny Bones", "Sleepy Hollow" and "Stage Beauty"], Gary Oldman ["Remembrance", "Sid and Nancy", "JFK", "Dracula", "The Fifth Element" and "Hannibal"], Michael Gambon ["Othello", "Toys", "Sleepy Hollow", "The Actors" and "Sylvia"], Emma Thompson ["The Tall Guy", "Sense and Sensibility", "Judas Kiss" and "Love Actually"], Pam Ferris ["Matilda", "Death to Smoochy" and "Gladiatress"], Alan Rickman ["Die Hard", "Galaxy Quest", "Help I'm A Fish" and "Love Actually"], Robbie Coltrane ["Nuns on the Run", "Goldeneye", "From Hell" and "Van Helsing"], David Thewlis ["Road", "Life Is Sweet", "Naked", "Black Beauty", "The Big Lebowski" and "Timeline"] and Maggie Smith ["Nowhere to Go", "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie", "Clash of the Titans" and "Gosford Park"] as Professor Minerva McGonagall. The Story

"At some point you have to start asking with all the mystical potions and gifts of foresight, how do these wizards keep fingering the wrong people for these crimes?" ............Erik Childress EFILMCRITIC.COM

Harry is spending another dull summer holiday under the thumb of his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. Relegated to his cramped room, belittled by his releatives and their obnoxious, fat son Dudley, life is pretty hard for young Harry. Then a visitor arrives. Aunt Marge, Vernon's snobby, rude sister. When she starts insulting Harry's family the young would be wizard can hardly contain his anger and disgust. Finally he breaks and forgetting all the rules casts a spell on her. Fearing repercussions from both his Uncle and Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic, Harry runs away. But he doesn't get very far. Picked up by the Knight Bus [for runaway wizards] he is taken to the Leaky Cauldron Pub. Here Harry meets the Minister of Magic [Cornelius Fudge] who, after Harry has spent the night at the Leaky Cauldron, sends him back to Hogwarts. Arriving back at school Harry discovers a dangerous wizard named Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban prison. Harry also learns that Sirius Black was imprisoned for leading Lord Voldemort to Harry’s parents which ultimately culminated in their deaths. The fear now is that Sirius Black has escaped and plans to kill young Harry. But help comes from an unexpected quarter. Professor Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher takes Harry under his wing. Harry Potter is about to face his greatest test. His biggest challenge. A challenge which will shed new light on and reveal the truth about his parent's death. The Verdict "I'm sure die-hard Harry Potter fans will gleen plenty from "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban" and feel as though they've got their monies worth. Unfortunately for the uninitiated, there's not much magic in this disjointed lack lustre screen adaptation which does little justice to the J K Rowling story. Sorry, but this one really is only for the 'Potterites'. If you have the patience, wait for the DVD release." Visit The Official Website The Cast

Daniel Radcliffe Rupert Grint Emma Watson Richard Griffiths Pam Ferris Fiona Shaw Harry Melling Adrian Rawlins Geraldine Somerville Lee Ingleby Lenny Henry Jimmy Gardner Gary Oldman Jim Tavaré Robert Hardy Abby Ford Oliver Phelps James Phelps Chris Rankin Julie Walters Bonnie Wright Mark Williams David Thewlis Devon Murray Warwick Davis David Bradley Michael Gambon Alan Rickman Maggie Smith Robbie Coltrane Matthew Lewis Sitara Shah Jennifer Smith Tom Felton Bronson Webb Josh Herdman Genevieve Gaunt Alfred Enoch Dawn French Paul Whitehouse Emma Thompson

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Harry Potter Ron Weasley Hermione Granger Uncle Vernon Aunt Marge Aunt Petunia Dudley Dursley James Potter Lily Potter Stan Shunpike Shrunken Head Ernie the Bus Driver Sirius Black Tom the Innkeeper Cornelius Fudge Young Witch Maid George Weasley Fred Weasley Percy Weasley Mrs Molly Weasley Ginny Weasley Mr Arthur Weasley Professor Lupin Seamus Finnegan Wizard Argus Filch Albus Dumbledore Professor Severus Snape Professor Minerva McGonagall Rubeus Hagrid Neville Longbottom Parvati Patel Lavender Brown Draco Malfoy Slytherin Boy Gregory Goyle Pansy Parkinson Dean Thomas Fat Lady in Painting Sir Cadogan Professor Sybil Trelawney

The Crew Directed by Alfonso Cuarón Adapted from the book by J K Rowling Screenplay by Steve Kloves Produced by Chris Columbus/David Heyman & Mark Radcliffe Original Music by John Williams Cinematography by Michael Seresin Film Editing by Steven Weisberg Casting by Jina Jay Production Design by Stuart Craig Set Decoration by Stephanie McMillan Costume Design by Jany Temime Production Manager David Carrigan Run Time 142 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Warner Bros Entertainment - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved