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Mathew Scott

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, David Thewlis

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Category: IIA

Little Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is growing up fast. And in this, the third in the Harry Potter series, it really starts to show. He's more defiant, sometimes more bitter. And the film is a whole lot better  for it.

Thanks in no small part can go to director  Alfonso Cuaron, brought in to take the reins from Chris Columbus, we can assume, in an effort to give the series a different feel. Whereas the first two had a sense of awakening, Prisoner of Azkaban takes a much darker - and welcome - turn.

Harry returns for his third year at Hogwarts with his chums Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson).  But there's a spectre hanging over everything - a wizard named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), the man said to have helped in the deaths of Harry's parents, has  escaped from jail and is on the loose.

With the guards of Azkaban circling the school for protection, there's the threat of danger  at every turn. Therein we find the added depth Cuaron has provided - there are very real concerns, and threats, to all  the central characters. And  the three seem more ready than ever to bend the rules  to deal with them.

In short, it all feels a lot more 'real''. So real in fact that even the special effects seem to blend seamlessly in with the action.

Adding to the whole thing is the presence of  newcomers David Thewlis  (as  Remus Lupin), Oldman, and the wonderful Timothy Spall in a delicious cameo as Peter Pettigrew. What they do is  free the filmmakers  from having to ask the leads to extend themselves - probably best, for Grint in particular, who goes no further than puffing his cheeks or rolling his eyes. When things look a bit dodgy, the veterans are there to save the day.

The bond between the three leads  continues to strengthen and, with it, so does the audience's involvement in the series. Not really important for the legions addicted to the books - but vital for those whose only  acquaintance with the magic of the little wizard has come via the screen.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban opens today.



Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban