RATING:

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Gary Oldman, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis. Screenwriter Steve Kloves. Story Source: The third installment of the Potterbook series by J.K. Rowling. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón.

Rated PG- for frightening moments, creature violence and mild language

J.K. Rowling’s third novel in the epic Harry Potter series marks a dramatic tonal shift in the story and characters. The plot becomes much more complex and sinister. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) emerges from boyhood into a world of foreboding events. He begins a perilous journey of understanding. The mystery of his past unfurls in dangerous encounters with deadly enemies. Characters, whom we have grown to love, are just as likely to die than live happily ever after. The children become teenagers in a treacherous world of dark fantasy. Warner Brothers needed a transition film to prepare audiences for the change in subtext. Alfonso Cuarón, with his artistic flair and genius in character development, directs an amazing film that props up the franchise and points it in the right direction. It is a feast of imagery, skillfully interwoven with tremendous performances by the cast. Cuarón could have easily played it safe and copied the style of the first two films. Instead, he boldly redefines the characters and their surroundings, delivering an awesome theatre experience and the best film of the series.

From the opening frame we see a much more confident Harry. He’s no longer the quiet boy to be bullied. He will not accept the abuse of the Dursley’s or any dispersion cast at his parents. Vernon’s crude sister Marge learns the hard way what happens when Harry becomes angry. He leaves the Dursley’s in a huff and embarks on an odd trip back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There, he learns that the most dangerous criminal in the magical world, Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), has escaped from the wizard prison known as Azkaban. Harry is told that Black betrayed his parent’s location to Lord Voldemort and is directly responsible for their murder. The Ministry of Magic believes that Harry is Black’s target. They send the prison’s wraith-like guards, the dementors, to the school to recapture Black. The dementors are evil beings that feed on sad memories, ultimately sucking the soul from their victim’s body. Harry must contend with his rage towards Black and constant attacks from the dementors. It seems that Harry's tragic past is drawing the creatures towards him.

Professor Lupin, David Thewlis in an exceptional performance, is introduced as the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher. Lupin is an important character in the Potter ethos. He hides a terrible secret, but becomes Harry’s friend and ally; teaching him crucial self defense skills. Lupin was also a good friend of Harry’s parents. He offers another bridge to the past, providing important information about their lives. The interaction between Harry and Lupin is one of the magnificent achievements of the film. Cuarón takes the time to develop their relationship and it provides an essential basis of realism to the story. Harry has never had adult guidance like this. Every child needs an adult to teach them how to cope with life. Lupin is a great mentor for Harry. Thewlis portrays Lupin with a subtle calm and strength. His deliberate manner plays beautifully on screen and will resonate as the series progresses.

Cuarón’s brilliant direction is most importantly reflected in the performances of Azkaban’s three primary stars. Child actors rarely have the range or emotional depth needed to fully realize a character. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson (Hermione), and Rupert Grint (Ron), are faced with portraying complex individuals in genuine dramatic settings. Their characters are constantly growing. This film would utterly fail if its teen stars couldn’t adapt to the emotional changes in the story. They rise magnificently to the challenge and dispel any doubts about their acting abilities. Daniel Radcliffe especially has earned his acting chops. This film, the entire franchise for that matter, rests on his shoulders. He makes Harry his own, deftly moving between scenes with some of Europe’s most talented actors. Let’s not forget that these films are cast with the crème de la crème of acting royalty. Alan Rickman as Snape, Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall, Michael Gambon as Dumbledore, Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Emma Thompson as Professor Trelawny, Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid, the adult cast is an all-star team of great actors. The children could not falter while performing with talent of this caliber. The first two movies were precursors. They gave the children the chance to develop their skills. Azkaban is the full-blown test of what they’ve learned. There’s not one scene where their star power is not on display. They are the central characters and this is their movie. Chris Columbus, the director of Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, did a fine job preparing them. Cuarón molds them into the talent needed to continue the story. The Warner Brothers executives better have their checkbooks open, because it might be too late to replace them. Costume design is pivotal in portraying the children as adolescents. Major physical changes in the actors require a change in they way they dress. The house robes are replaced by standard teenage clothing. It makes the characters look normal for their age, especially where Hermione is concerned. Particular effort was paid to make their hair look more stylish. It’s almost as if a bottle of hairspray and blow dryers ran rampant on the set. They look older, cooler. Gone are the kiddy-cuts and prep school look, Seventeen and YM magazine must be making the rounds at Hogwarts.

Cuarón re-imagines the world of Harry Potter from the characters to the settings. He pays remarkable detail to the environment and everything that constitutes it. The sets become backdrops to the wonder of the adjacent countryside. Cuarón uses the top-notch visual effects team to map every nook and cranny. We explore the castle, the dark forest, the trees, the leaves, the animals; there are magnificent, stand-alone scenes of simple outside action. Then, when the characters are immersed in that particular place, it becomes much more real. The attention to detail goes hand in hand with Cuarón’s camera placement and point of view. He shoots from every angle. Every place is uniquely shot and has its own look. Nothing is glossed over or taken for granted. This is a hallmark of Cuarón’s directing style. Art direction and production design are integral to his ability to tell the story. He knows he has the capability to stretch the imagination and never shies away from it. Also, his use of wipes, a cinematic term used to describe the way a scene ends, is absolutely stunning. This is not the average cut to the next scene movie.

The previous films were carbon copies of the books. Azkaban is not. Steve Kloves, the screenwriter tasked with adapting the books, has done a remarkable job in remaining faithful so far, but had to take liberties sooner or later. Azkaban is more loosely written. It works better because the story is tighter and character development more focused. Scenes are not wasted. The result is a film that runs at a brisk two hours and sixteen minutes, compared to the almost three hour run times of the other films. I’m not sure if Kloves’s screenplay was shorter or Cuarón took more liberties in the editing process. It’s probably safe to assume that the original draft was pared down during filming. Cuarón is a mood director. He would not waste time including unnecessary scenes as filler, just to please the die-hard book fanatics. This is an important departure because the books get much longer. Choices have to be made. Everything from the book cannot be represented in the film without seriously affecting its flow. Azkaban works because it moves at a great pace.

I heap a lot of praise on Alfonso Cuarón for the success of the film. It bears his signature style in every frame. This film would have been completely different under someone else’s direction. It might have been better, but the results are undeniable. Azkaban works on every level, accomplishes every goal, and stands up under repeat viewing. It is the first great film of the summer and will likely be in my top ten list for the year. Harry Potter stalwarts and casual moviegoers are in for a real treat this weekend

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