Truly Magical!

Rating: 8/10 (12 August 2007)

The 3rd instalment in J.K Rowlings multi-billion pound franchise is widely regarded as the best and most confusing of the entire series for people who haven't read the books thus far.
It is certainly the best film, but by a clean mile. Alfonso Cuaron, the brainchild behind 'Taxi' is at the helm of the Prisoner of Azkaban which takes these films onto a whole new level.
Cuaron has extracted some of the best sequences out of the book and used them to good effect; something which seems to have been amiss in the latest films; particularly the newest.
Prisoner of Azkaban features an array of brilliant acting from all the major leads; Alan Rickman & Maggie Smith are as excellent as usual. The newcomers; Michael Gambon as Dumbledore is good, but perhaps not as lovable as the late Richard Harris. David Thewlis takes the role of the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Remus Lupin who is simply spellbinding in his role.
Of course, this wouldn't be a review without mentioning Gary Oldman as Harry's estranged Godfather Sirius Black; a monumental feat for Oldman to climb has been realised in one of the best pieces of acting I have seen in years.
Prisoner of Azkaban is an excellent addition to the Harry Potter saga, excellent special effects, brilliant acting and a storyline that cannot be rivalled. Cuaron should be incredibly pleased with himself, he has produced a truly magical film!