Character Development Film

Rating: Null/10 (7 June 2004)

I have read sixty or so comments about Harry Potter 3. A lot of people seemed upset that the film took out a lot of important information from the books. I am not going to disagree and that is certainly a very valid complaint. However I still think that Harry Potter 3 was easily the best of Potter movies so far.
One of my problems with the first two Potter movies was that they were too plot driven. The movies simply went from plot point A to plot point B etc. In Azkaban. I believe that Alfonso Cuaron and scriptwriter Steven Kloves wisely choose to focus on making Harry, Ron, and Hermione more developed and nuanced characters.
The approaching adolescence of the characters was handled very well. I liked the scenes that showed the potential romantic feelings between Ron and Hermione. I also thought the film showed the potential for a relationship between Harry and Hermione which I feel is also hinted at in the books but everyone thinks I am daft for seeing.
The mood and atmosphere of the movie was also handled well. The previous two movies were either had light-hearted scenes or serious scenes. Cuaron and Kloves wove a skillful tapestry which combined the drama and the comedy of the series. ("Wait! That's what my hair looks like from the back!" is a favorite line)
The muted colors were also well-picked. They helped foreshadow that potential conflicts and darker turns that the novels take.