Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban DVD Review

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"HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN" reviews

DVD

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-26 11:16:33

Provider

DVD Review

JK Rowling's teenage wizard well and truly grows up in this dark and foreboding adventure from Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron.

The movie finds Harry and friends heading back to Hogwarts for their third year, but two dark shadows are hanging over the school. Firstly Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), the man accused of betraying Harry's parents to Lord Voldemort, has escaped from Azkaban prison. then there's the foul Dementors, soul-sucking guards from the prison who are out in force looking to recapture Sirius.

All our favourite regulars are back, while additions to the cast include Michael Gambon, who replaces the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, Emma Thompson as Professor Sybil Trelawney, then David Thewlis and Timothy Spall. However, the film belongs to Harry. Young Daniel Radcliffe is growing into the role of the the orphaned wizard more and more and he continues to mature in confidence as well as age for Azkaban.

Hardened Potterphiles may complain that too much of the book has been omitted and that the darker tone is removed from some of the film's magical moments, but it's time for Harry to 'sieze the day'. As anyone whose read the books knows, he has tough times ahead. And this is the perfect first step towards adulthood.

Hold your breath for the astounding set of extras on this double-disc release! As well as never before seen footage, there are trailers, sing-a-longs and interactive challenges. Johnny Vaughan interviews the cast, there's a gallery plus tours and an interview with Harry's creator, JK Rowling. We're talking weeks of entertainment here.