Twice told tale

Rating: Null/10 (8 June 2004)

If you ask me, "Prisoner of Azakaban", directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien), is the weakest Harry Potter film so far.
For one thing, there is too much visual gimmickry, too many comings and goings, too many extras on the set. (Yes, I know it's a magic school, but must we see all of its alumni at the same time?) I have not read any of the Harry Potter novels and thus am not a purist who expects every minute, infinitesimal detail of J.K. Rowling's world to be transcribed from the book to the big screen. I think "Prisoner of Azkaban" should have been less scattered and more focused.
For another thing, I found the pace far too slow. In fact, the film often dragged, and I honestly thought it would never end.
As if that isn't bad enough, we are obliged to sit through the end of the story, not once, but twice. The film is thus at least a half hour longer than it really needs to be. (I assume this is Ms. Rowling's fault, not Mr. Cuaron's.)
That being said, there were a few things about "Prisoner of Azkaban" that I genuinely liked. I was mesmerized every time the Dementors made an appearance. Transforming Aunt Madge into a balloon was less interesting than the fact that this was a manifestation of teenage Harry's pent-up anger. (And I couldn't help seeing a film reference here to the telekinesis in "Carrie".) Finally, I loved the scene where Harry casts a spell to protect himself and Sirius Black ("Exspecto patronum").
Back on the minus side, I found Professor Trelawny (Emma Thompson) just too loony for words. And is it just me, or is Minerva McGonigle's Scottish burr getting thicker with each installment of the franchise? I swear Maggie Smith is still channelling Jean Brodie! I just hope she doesn't start referring to the junior witches at Hogwarts as "my gels".
I don;t know whether to attribute this to the dialogue from the novel or to Mr. Cuaron's personal sensibilities, but I counted about a half dozen gay references. For instance, near the end of the film, Professor Lupin says that parents will not want "someone like me" teaching their children. And can Draco Malfoy be any gayer? But I digress ...
What really holds my interest is Harry's continuing quest to discover the truth about his parents and his past. What will he find at the end of the road? "Exspecto proximum" ... I await the sequel.