enjoyable entry in the series

Rating: 7/10 (11 May 2005)

Harry and his wand-waving friends return in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the third in the series of high-flying adventures by British author J.K. Rowling.
This latest film finds a more grownup Harry being pursued by the evil Sirius Black, who has just performed the unprecedented feat of escaping from a prison for wayward warlocks. As Sirius moves inexorably closer to his intended victim, Harry learns some surprising details about the murder of his beloved parents.
"The Prisoner of Azkaban" is a pretty decent installment overall, although it could use some tightening here and there to make it more streamlined and evenly paced (the film runs an overlong two hours and twenty-two minutes). The production design and special effects are as stunning as ever, as once again we are transported to a visually beautiful world of unbridled fantasy and imagination. One of the reasons why the Harry Potter works are so popular is that they root their stories in characters who are realistic and believable, so that even amidst all the riding of brooms, casting of spells and reciting of incantations, Harry, Ron and Hermione are able to keep their feet on the ground and their hold on the audience.
Although many people have noted a "darker" element running through this film, I really didn't see it, and, in fact, I think "Prisoner" is less intense than the second - and best - installment, "Chamber of Secrets." Although there seems to be enough creativity in the original concept to support a few more "Potter" movies, even Potter-maniacs may feel that at least some of the bloom has begun to fade from this particular rose. I guess only future installments will truly tell.