Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2-Disc Full Screen Edition) (Harry Potter 3)

Some movie-loving wizards must have cast a magic spell on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because it's another grand slam for the Harry Potter franchise. Demonstrating remarkable versatility after the arthouse success of Y Tu Mamá También, director Alfonso Cuarón proves a perfect choice to guide Harry, Hermione, and Ron into treacherous puberty as the now 13-year-old students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry face a new and daunting challenge: Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison, and for reasons yet unknown (unless, of course, you've read J.K. Rowling's book, considered by many to be the best in the series), he's after Harry in a bid for revenge. This dark and dangerous mystery drives the action while Harry (the fast-growing Daniel Radcliffe) and his third-year Hogwarts classmates discover the flying hippogriff Buckbeak (a marvelous CGI creature), the benevolent but enigmatic Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), horrifying black-robed Dementors, sneaky Peter Pettigrew (Timothy Spall), and the wonderful advantage of having a Time-Turner just when you need one. The familiar Hogwarts staff returns in fine form (including the delightful Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, and Emma Thompson as the goggle-eyed Sybil Trelawney), and even Julie Christie joins this prestigious production for a brief but welcome cameo. Technically dazzling, fast-paced, and chock-full of Rowling's boundless imagination (loyally adapted by ace screenwriter Steve Kloves), The Prisoner of Azkaban is a Potter-movie classic. --Jeff Shannon

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry, Ron and Hermione, now teenagers, return for their third year at Hogwarts, where they are forced to face escaped prisoner, Sirius Black, who poses a great threat to Harry. Harry and his friends spend their third year learning how to handle a half-horse half-eagle Hippogriff, repel shape-shifting Boggarts and master the art of Divination. They also visit the wizarding village of Hogsmeade and the Shrieking Shack, which is considered the most haunted building in Britain. In addition to these new experiences, Harry must overcome the threats of the soul-sucking Dementors, outsmart a dangerous werewolf and finally deal with the truth about Sirius Black and his relationship to Harry and his parents. With his best friends, Harry masters advanced magic, crosses the barriers of time and changes the course of more than one life. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron and based on J.K. Rowling 's third book, this wondrous spellbinder soars with laughs, and the kind of breathless surprise only found in a Harry Potter adventure.

System Requirements:

Running Time 142 Min

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

What a deal.
I just purchased this at Target today for $3.98. Cheaper than renting a movie and I get to keep it. So, I wouldn't pay more than $4 for this movie.
--2006-11-25

This one was better than the first and second!!
"Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" was My favorite Harry Potter movie yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
--2006-11-25

More engrossing, less adventure-filled
Younger audience members, especially avid Potter fans, may be disappointed at the lack of adventure in "The Prisoner of Azkaban." I don't recall there being anything in this installment to match the action scenes of the previous two films, although this is a more engrossing, story-laden picture. What the other movies dabbled with in adventure, this one promotes with character development and internal transition. The characters in the story, particularly Harry, receive more emotional attention from the director. This flick fitfully continues what happened in "Sorcerer's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets", but it has drawbacks keeping it from becoming a classic.

The effects are stunning in this film, more so than even the first two movies. With the characters' rising ages and the bubbling teenage conflicts underneath, the film also appropriately reflects the moods of its central characters with an astounding visual look. Key points of the Harry Potter series often require thorough explanations, which are easy to convey in a book but are burdensome to a film. Alfonso Cuaron, replacing Chris Columbus, does a fantastic effort in trying to mold the complicated twists of the J.K. Rowling book into a visual representation (the time travel sequence, for example).

What's halting the movie from achieving its ultimate goal is its annoyingly 'transitional' feel. Although the screenwriter covers a heck of a lot of plot, nothing generally evolves. At the end we have no reason to suspect that Harry will suddenly abandon the "teen angst" camp simply because of his latest adventure. The movie is more interested in setting the stage rather than taking the stage. However, it certainly leaves anticipation for viewing "Goblet of Fire."
--2006-11-14

Did Rowling "OK" This?
I admit this movie is enjoyable. More than that, it was good. If I hadn't read the book first I might have given it 5 stars. But, I READ the book. I memorized almost every word of it, so this movie was...a tad bit unlike the book. I'm not going to say WHY, only that if you've read the books, don't think it strange if, at the end, you find yourself screaming at the credit BASED ON THE NOVEL BY JK ROWLING "Liars!"

However, it was, as I said, good. The graphics outdo the Narnia movie. The acting is mostly fun, with some idiotic parts. Although it skips TONS of the things that happen in the book, the parts that stay true are greatly worthwhile.

Pros:
-Amazing graphics. The special effects are inhumanly possible, yet are shown in enormous amounts.
-Most of the acting is highly "well done" and hey! You have to have SOME action, which was used and found great.
-Humor, and a ton of it. Just like the wry British hilarity used in the books.

Cons:
-Way off course in the time of events.
-Mediocre idiocy in some parts i.e. "I hope he finds me...cause when he does [changes to really fast, embarrassing tone] I'm gonna kill 'im!"
-Why does Hogwarts have a choir?

MSL
--2006-11-12

Potter series keeps improving
At first at had my doubts about Alfonso Cuaron taking over directorial duties, but after watching this movie, you can see that Harry Potter movies are only going to get better.
--2006-11-06

- Warner Home Video