Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Director:

Alfonso Cuarón

Writers (WGA):

J.K. Rowling (novel)
Steve Kloves (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 June 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Mystery

Tagline:

Something wicked this way comes.

Plot:

It's Harry's third year at Hogwarts; not only does he have a new "Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher, but there is also trouble brewing. Convicted murderer Sirius Black has escaped the Wizards' Prison and is coming after Harry.

Plot Keywords:

Magic | Wizard | Dark | Serial Killer | Muggle

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 31 nominations

Cast

Daniel Radcliffe	...	Harry Potter
Richard Griffiths	...	Uncle Vernon
Pam Ferris	...	Aunt Marge
Fiona Shaw	...	Aunt Petunia
Harry Melling	...	Dudley Dursley
Adrian Rawlins	...	James Potter
Geraldine Somerville	...	Lily Potter
Lee Ingleby	...	Stan Shunpike
Lenny Henry	...	Shrunken Head
Jimmy Gardner	...	Ernie the Bus Driver
Gary Oldman	...	Sirius Black
Jim Tavaré	...	Tom the Innkeeper
Robert Hardy	...	Cornelius Fudge
Abby Ford	...	Young Witch Maid
Rupert Grint	...	Ron Weasley

Also Known As:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

141 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Malaysia:U | Iceland:L | India:U | USA:PG (certificate #40749) | Hungary:14 | Netherlands:9 | Germany:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:M (original rating) | Australia:PG (re-rating on appeal) | Brazil:Livre | Canada:G (Quebec) | Czech Republic:U | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Hong Kong:IIA | Ireland:PG | Israel:PG | Italy:T | Japan:U | New Zealand:PG | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Philippines:G | Singapore:PG | South Korea:All | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Zurich) | Taiwan:GP | UK:PG | Greece:K

Filming Locations:

Dowding Way, Watford, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Two Persian red cats were used for the role of Crookshanks: Crackerjack and Pumpkin.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: You can sometimes see lighting devices reflected in the characters' glasses. As Harry is telling Hagrid "It'll be fine" as they are hurrying out the door, you can see lighting equipment reflected in Harry's glasses. Also, in Trelawney's first class, you can see similar lighting equipment reflected in her glasses.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Harry: Lumos Maxima!
[five times]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Top Gear: (2005-08-07)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

A Winter's Spell

My Favorite Of The Harry Potter Films

I thought this was excellent....better than the first two Harry Potter movies combined and better than what has followed.. That's my feeling, and I'm still sticking to it.

This was just great fun, right from the opening. In fact, the early bus scene is the best in the film. Overall, the movie didn't have as mean an edge to it as the others, although it has a number of scary moments (which might have warranted a PG-13 rating). That was fine with me. I got tired of the dark, nasty and/or annoying characters of the first two films, and especially the irritating blonde wise-guy kid. I give this major points for cutting his role down. Even Alan Rickman's character softens.

In other words, there is no despicable villain to hate throughout the film, which I thought was refreshing. Instead, we just go through one adventure after another until the final surprise ending.

Along the way are a lot of fun special effects and scenery, some humor (Emma Thompson is a hoot as an eccentric tea-leaf reader) and some fantastic 5.1 surround sound. I wish all the Harry Potter films were like this one.