Enjoyable and moves at a rapid pace

Rating: Null/10 (2 June 2004)

(Synopsis-Spoiler?) In `Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,' the summer is finally over, and Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) can leave his Uncle Vernon's home and return to school. Before he leaves, Harry has an encounter with Aunt Marge. Harry uses his magic to inflate her into a large balloon, and she floats away. Harry runs away and is picked up by the Knight Bus, a very special bus for wizards and witches. Harry is dropped off at the Leaky Cauldron pub, where the Minister of Magic is waiting for him. The Minister has corrected the situation with Aunt Marge, and doesn't punish Harry for using magic in the non-magic world. The Minister wants to protect Harry, from a dangerous wizard, Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who has escaped from Azkaban prison. It is believed that Sirius Black played a part in the death of Harry's parents, and now he wants to kill Harry. Harry meets his two friends, Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), at the pub. They all go to the train station to return for their third year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They meet Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) on the train. The Dementors, the terrifying Azkaban guards who can paralyze their victims and suck their souls, stop the train, and search for Sirius Black. The Dementors paralyze Harry, so Professor Lupin uses the Patronus Charm to shield Harry. The Dementors are sent to Hogwarts to protect the school and capture Sirius Black. Harry becomes a friend to Buckbeak, a magical half-horse and half-eagle creature that can fly. Harry loves to fly with Buckbeak, but when Buckbeak hurts another student, he is ordered to be destroyed. Harry must try to save Buckbeak. Sirius Black has been spotted at the school, and Professor Lupin teaches Harry how to use the Patronus Charm to protect himself. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you will love this movie. The movie moves at a rapid pace, and it is over before you know it. I can't wait for number 4. (Warner Brothers Pictures, Run time 2:16, Rated PG) (10/10)