In Most Ways, this was a let-down. SPOILERS TO FOLLOW

Rating: Null/10 (24 October 2004)

**Warning! Spoilers throughout**
In most ways, Azkaban was a let-down. However, it did continue one important aspect that has made the movies thus far so popular. The characters are dead-on from the books. Especially here, where Sirius Black and the Dementors are such crucial elements in how Harry's life and power as a young wizard continue to unfold. Trelawney is her airy fairy" self to a T. Excellent job there. Lupin came to life on screen in a way he didn't for me in the book. I'll even go against most "Potter Purists" and say I loved the a capella arrangement at the beginning. Rowling's genius is in creating such a wonderfully detailed world that her readers are drawn in; here, the decision to hint at Hogwarts activities that we've yet to see (ie-a choral program) is in keeping with this and cleverly done. All that being said, I left the theater hugely disappointed. The further the behaviors, conversations, events and characters strayed from the previous HP movies and the books, the worse the experience became. Some of these could have been forgiven. A few were understandable as the movie is aimed at young audiences and a "faithful" following of the book would have had to have been longer than "Return of the King" to not miss anything.
What turned me off on this one was the "cut and paste" approach to editing. In this case, it was cut all connective information and paste "highlights" from the book. The result was a hackneyed Cliff's notes sort of film. Also, if this overzealous editing was done in the interest of avoiding a rump-numbingly long movie, why are random scenes like Lupin and Harry talking on the bridge dropped in? The birthday group of middle schoolers in front of me booed the movie and those who hadn't read the book complained that what they were seeing made no sense. Their unfortunate friends who had read the book didn't have time to explain everything that was left out between scenes. Some were still making a valiant effort as the credits were ending. Entire chunks of Snape's backhandedness against Lupin were omitted. So much of Draco and Co. bullying Hermione is left out that when she hits him, she comes off hotheaded rather than sympathetic. All of her stressing over doubling her time, the trial of Buckbeak, the revelation of Prongs, Wormtail, Moony and Padfoot's true identities are lost. Had I not reread the book in anticipation of Azkaban's release in theaters, I would have been lost, too. If Goblet of Fire is to redeem the HP movies by giving us something more in keeping with the first two movies, I'd recommend firing this editor and finding one who doesn't approach his task like a maniacal toddler who's just discovered the joy of scissors.