Big Disappointment

Rating: 5/10 (4 June 2004)

I am a HUGE fan of both the Harry Potter books and the films. Prisoner is still my favourite book yet, and consequently I was very much looking forward to the third movie. However, I was thoroughly disappointed. Although I agree that Alfonso Cuarón introduced a much needed darker side of the story of Harry Potter, I found the movie to be lacking in several important aspects introduced in the books. For example the explanation of the Maurders Map, I feel that it was important to explain the connection between the map, James Potter and Harry, which in turn would explain the patronus that Harry produces (in addition the seen with the patronus by the lake could and should have been better). Also, the very short explanation of what occurred between Sirius and Peter should have been longer, it eliminated the character building of Peter, Lupin and Sirius, and did not give the watcher the chance to understand why Harry forgave Sirius so quickly. Also, many of the events were out of order or completely missing, of course the firebolt, the letter of permission for Harry to go to Hogsmede the next year, and the introduction of "Pig" Ron's new pet.
While the story line of the Prisoner of Azkaban was, in my opinion, completely destroyed, I feel the worst part of the entire movie was the portrayal of Albus Dumbledore by Michael Gambon. Although Michael Gambon is a very good actor, Dumbledore is NOT the role for him. His portrayal of Albus Dumbledore, I felt, was that of a cold, bumbling, fearful wizard, instead of the caring, all knowing wizard we have all thought Dumbledore to be, example: at the end Dumbledore is patting Ron's hurt leg with a kind of harsh manner ... NOT the Dumbledore we know. Basically, Dumbledore is a father figure to the Hogwart's students, especially to Harry, who is not surprised by events; he is in short a charismatic character who lost his charisma through Michael Gambon.
However, on a good note, I was thoroughly impressed by the portrayal of Sirius Black by Gary Oldman. When I first herd he was playing Black I was disappointed, Gary Oldman was NOT how I pictured Black, but he surprised me and did a fantastic job at brining Black to life.
In short I am still a fan of Harry Potter, and I was glad to see a more dark portrayal of Harry's world, but I can not account the Prisoner of Azkaban among my favourite movies. I remain a very disappointed Harry Potter fan.