Something Wicked This Way Comes

Rating: 8/10 (1 February 2010)

After giving his rude, overweight aunt her just deserts, teenager Daniel Radcliffe (as Harry Potter) is off for another year at "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" with fellow magic-makers Rupert Grint (as Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (as Hermione Granger). You can be sure the trio won't be bored. First out of the gate is dastardly Gary Oldman (as Sirius Black), who was somehow involved in the murder of Mr. Radcliffe's parents. "The Prisoner of Azkaban" referred to in the title, Mr. Oldman looks out for blood. This puts everyone at "Hogwarts" in grave danger...
A change in direction, literally, to director Alfonso Cuaron, helps gives this third "Harry Potter" film a moodier, darker style; and, it is the perfect accompaniment to the three leading players' rapidly approaching adulthood. Up until about the time the students unconvincingly mouth animal noises, everything runs smoothly. But, even when it's silly, or wanders away from the original text, the story is marvelous. The players are more endearing than ever, even Tom Felton (as Draco Malfoy). And, new "Defence Against the Dark Arts" professor David Thewlis (as Remus Lupin) is a howling success.
******** Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (5/31/04) Alfonso Cuaron ~ Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, David Thewlis