Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

this is my favorite movie from Harry Potter always <3

The movie is filled with amazing cinematography

I really liked it. Everything but I think what I like the most about this story is that Hermione and Harry had the major adventure without Ron, I don't hate him but the friendship between Harry and Hermione is fantastical.

One of my favorites of the franchise ! The atmosphere is different (sinister) and the introduction of the dementors adds to the danger felt in this movie. Time is a central theme with new interesting characters establishing a link between the past and the present.

Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón was exactly what the third chapter of the amazing Harry Potter franchise needed. Sure, Chris Columbus did a good job building a tense, urgent tone in “Chamber of Secrets,” but Cuarón takes it even further: not only does he make Hogwarts feel BIGGER – practically changing the layout of the school and its surroundings – but he also gets that he’s dealing with a story where the main characters are pre-teens, on edge, facing even bigger dangers.

His skill in portraying how teenagers act is on point throughout the film, showing students hanging out and having moments of relaxation together. What’s even more fascinating, if you check out the bonus material, is that Cuarón let the actors and extras choose how they wanted to appear in terms of clothes and hair, which gave a more realistic and relatable vibe to the whole thing.

Beyond that, Cuarón is way more creative than Columbus when it comes to the magic. Notice how the characters’ wands are more detailed, and he pays more attention to the way the spells flash and the sounds they make – something that Mike Newell built on in the next chapter. The expansion of Hogwarts, like I mentioned earlier, is one of the director’s most important and successful moves – and this layout was pretty much used for the rest of the series. From Hagrid’s hut and the path leading to it, to the clock tower, and even the big entrance doors of the castle. That brief moment where Hogwarts is being locked down creates a whole new level of tension for the audience. As for the special effects: Buckbeak the hippogriff looks even more real than Dobby from “Chamber of Secrets.” The attention to detail on Buckbeak, from the feathers to the way he flies, is incredible – and the scene where Harry feels completely free as he soars over Hogwarts on Buckbeak’s back is easily one of the most beautiful and memorable moments of the whole franchise. The same goes for the design of the Dementors.

Once again, the script by the great Steve Kloves nails it in every way. Sure, it might have a lot of dialogue, but there’s not a single scene that feels unnecessary, because the main plot keeps moving forward while we also get to see the students’ daily lives (they’re at school, after all), attending classes and so on. The twists come at just the right time, along with the big reveals about Harry’s past and his parents’ death.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson seem even more comfortable playing Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Radcliffe, in particular, shows how much he’s grown, as he handles a much more dramatic and intense role with ease. Gary Oldman steals the show in the final act with a powerhouse performance, David Thewlis is super likeable as Professor Lupin – easily the best professor in the series – and the ever-amazing Alan Rickman gets more chances to show Snape’s hatred and bitterness. Plus, Michael Gambon steps in as Dumbledore, replacing the beloved Richard Harris. This is a topic that sparks a lot of debate among book fans (myself included), but I’ve always liked Gambon’s more energetic take on the character.

“Prisoner of Azkaban” is the chapter that starts to show there are, in fact, real dark dangers in the wizarding world – and, more importantly, that they exist beyond Hogwarts’ walls. It’s a flawless film from start to finish.

>Snape: *"Turn to page 394."*

Without a doubt the best in the franchise. The Dementors have affected the tone of this one because it's more serious, mature, dark and even scary at times. I love the storyline with Sirius Black and the Dementor/Werewolf looming threat throughout the movie. Best story yet, best score yet, great cinematography, great acting (kids are better now) and the third act is bonkers. David Thewlis is such a great addition as Professor Lupin. Alan Rickman (Snape) was the standout once again, favorite character. The white neon lighting at night is something I hate in movies and this one has a lot of it, although it makes sense because of the moonlight so fair enough. The time travel is the icing on the cake, amazing use of it. I wish they had kept Cuarón as director for the next few movies.

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**Magical Creatures Ranked** (by favorite):

1. *Hippogriff (Buckbeak)* - who wouldn't want to take a ride on one of those.
2. *Dementor* - a monster that feeds on human happiness and eats your soul.
Straight out of a horror movie.
3. *Werewolf* - so cool, so deadly, one of the greatest moments of the franchise. The transformation scene was epic.
4. *Animagus* - not quite a Werewolf but still deadly.
5. *Boggart* - a shapeshifter that takes the shape of your greatest fear. Mine would probably be spiders too.
6. *Whomping Willow* - one hell of a ride.
7. *The Monster Book of Monsters* - reading will kill you.
8. *Shrunken Talking Head* - that was a thing.
9. *Singing Toad* - that was also a thing.

This part of franchise is best

I rewatch this every Christmas Eve with my brother and it's still the best HP movie.

Amazing movie, gotta love the time travel, found some parts near the end even better than the book and some of the most beautiful Harry Potter themes.

I do miss some of the more magical stuff the first two had, half of the movie they're not wearing their little Hogwarts outfits and I would have liked it more if they did.

I love this movie but there’s one plot hole. When Buckbeak was killed. Harry was hit in the head by an acorn and Hermione saw herself.
So why was Buckbeak not saved then as well ? Also why didn’t they ever use time turners ever again ? Could have helped to save all the characters that died later on.
But I guess it was more important to save a big bird.