Alright, I watched Prisoner of Azkaban the day after it’s US release, and I am somewhat torn. I was going to write an article on it right away, but decided to hold of for a minute and digest the entirety of the film.Visually stunning

The third installment from J.K.’s hyper-popular series about the “boy who lived” takes a turn for the better from a cinematic experience. Where the first two movies were great movies translated from the books, Azkaban takes an entirely new perspective, and darker look at Hogwarts, Harry, and the rest of the cast, crew and set.

This is not to say it’s all roses. Many people have complained about how even minor things like the layout of Hogwarts has changed, and there are many changes in the film. If this perspective (and director) was chosen for the first two, I think it would have done the books more justice, but we are left with different feeling films.

Rushes and omissions

The first thing you feel 20 minutes in is the movie is rushed, and I have heard the same comments from those that read the books and those that didn’t. For those that read the books, as the movie goes on, you quickly catch on with all the omissions from the book, and how Alfonso Cuaron attempts to consolidate scenes. Most topics are covered, but purists at the end of the movie will demand more.

Dumbledore crisis

Depending on who you talk to, the choice to cast Michael Gambon as Dumbledore has created two crowds, those that love him and those that simply do not, and I am part of the latter crowd. Richard Harris really perpetuated the essence of Dumbledore from the books. You could imagine him being this soft spoken Merlin-esque figure that guided Harry throughout his years at Hogwarts, but possesses the power to face down Voldermort in Book 5. Gambon seems to be more comic relief than the most powerful wizard of the age.

Unfortunately Harris died of cancer and we could only imagine how he would have handled the part. IMHO, Ian McKellen (of LOTR Gandolf fame) would be great for this role. I hope that future movies go back to portraying Dumbledore the way Harris did, only time will tell.

Overall very good movie

Even with the Dumbledore issue, rushing of the movie, and many omissions, the movie is still very good. If you go into the theater expecting a near literal translation of the book, then you will be disappointed. If you go in with an open mind, you will be dazzled by the “translation according to Cuaron”.