HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
* 1/2 (out of ****)
a film review by
Richard A. Zwelling
Yes, you are reading my rating for this film correctly. No, I'm not
just having a bad day (in fact, today was quite pleasant).
For what it's worth, I enjoyed the first two Harry Potter films,
despite the fact that they were nothing more than point-by-point
regurgitations of J.K. Rowling's bestselling novels. Special effects
abounded, some of which served no purpose other than eliciting oohs
and aahs from the audience, but overall, I considered them
entertaining rides that struck just enough of a balance between
cutting-edge technical wizardry and the human elements essential to
the story.
(This is one of many areas, by the way, in which I find Peter
Jackson's Lord of the Rings films superior. Throughout Jackson's
work, special effects are always there to enhance the story, not to
stand out on their own.)
In every way that matters, this third installment is vastly inferior
to its two predecessors. There are several reasons for this, but the
biggest relates to its source material.
Of the first three books, I enjoyed the third most. The narrative
complexities and character developments reached a degree of maturity
not realized in the first two books. But Prisoner of Azkaban is also
easily the longest of the first three novels.
Now, consider that the first two films (directed by Chris Columbus)
both clocked in at over two-and-one-half hours and were, as I
mentioned, point-by-point recaps of the novels.
So answer me this: How the hell could screenwriters Rowling and
Steven Kloves expect a decent adaptation of a longer book when this
third film does not even reach the two-and-one-half hour mark??
Major plot and character points are either glossed over or raced
through at breakneck speed, leaving no room for subtlety or
absorption. The film's agenda is to present these essentials to the
audience as quickly as possible and then move on. As a result, there
is no connection whatsoever to what transpires on-screen.
Intellectually, we understand what the story is telling us but feel no
emotional involvement.
The acting is almost uniformly bad and the special effects take over
in ways that make the film seem like a collection of
computer-generated set pieces. To a lesser degree, this was the case
in the first two films, but the acting was at least half-way decent
and the most important aspects (character and plot) were never
sacrificed.
It seems to me like this film was thrown together as quickly as
possible to the end of sating the public's craving for another Potter
movie (and ensuring that the actors don't outgrow their characters).
Every time I cringed from hearing a poorly acted line, I could feel
director Alfonso Cuarón on the other side of the camera trying
desperately to draw a decent performance from his actors.
Alan Rickman, whose performance as Professor Snape was my favorite of
the first two films, is not nearly as slimy and repugnant as he once
was, and much of his more sadistic dialogue seems forced.
As head wizard Albus Dumbledore, veteran Michael Gambon replaces
Richard Harris (who tragically passed away after filming the second
movie). In representing Dumbledore, Gambon is adequate enough in
physique and visage, but in voice and demeanor, he lacks the warmth
and tenderness that Harris so beautifully brought to the role. At
times, Gambon interprets Dumbledore as sardonic and callous, two
qualities readily apparent in many of Gambon's other performances, but
out-of-place here.
The diamond in the rough is David Thewlis, who portrays Professor
Lupin. It is no coincidence that Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) does
his best work in his scenes with Thewlis, as Thewlis' work is filled
with an emotional authenticity that cannot help but spread to his
colleagues. The scenes between Lupin and Potter are unquestionably
the best in the film, and they provide a degree of depth and resonance
that the remainder of the film does not come close to exploring.
Why the hell did Cuarón ever agree to undertake this project after
producing a gem like Y tu mamá también?? I can only assume that the
decision was somehow career-motivated.
Meanwhile, production is well underway for the fourth film (Goblet of
Fire) and a 2007 release date has been announced for the fifth (Order
of the Phoenix). The books just keep getting longer, and if the
intent is to keep the films at similar lengths, I can only anticipate
that the films will get progressively worse, unless better care is
taken to present more than just the bare essentials.
As is, this third film is a considerable step down, and unfortunately,
if it sells well, the producers might not see any reason to change
their current course.
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X-RAMR-ID: 37875
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1284927
X-RT-TitleID: 1132921
X-RT-AuthorID: 7583
X-RT-RatingText: 1.5/4
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