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The wiz kids are back

Thursday, Jun 03, 2004 - 11:59:49 pm CDT

BYL. KENTWOLGAMOTTANDDANIELK. WOLGAMOTT

Darker and scarier, visually more captivating and somehow more realistic, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is the best of the three movies based on J.K.Rowling's literary phenomenon, thanks in large part to new director Alfonso Cuaron.

Taking over for ChrisColumbus, who did the first two installments in the series, Cuaron, the director of the little-seen but superb children's movie "A Little Princess" along with 2001's coming-of-age sex romp "Y Tu Mama Tambien," has re-envisioned Harry's world, a visual change that makes the magic and monsters more believable and anchors the adolescent turmoil that is the emotional heart of the film.

And he has done so without sacrificing the story that is so important to Rowling's legions of fans. Most of the time, it's not critical whether a film adheres to the book on which it is based.But with the Potter series, accuracy of the story is a prime consideration. Having not read any of the Potter stories, I'll defer to my nephew Daniel, who has read "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" four times.

It stayed extremely close to the book.There were even quotes they had from the book in the movie. I have to say it is closer than the first two movies - a little bit more. They put enough in. They could have put more in, but I'm glad they didn't. The movie was long enough.

The picture runs two hours and 25 minutes, a length that was required to tell the gritty story of dangerous wizard Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), who has escaped from the Azkaban prison and is believed to be searching for Harry (DanielRadcliffe). Legend has it that Black was responsible for leading Lord Voldemort to Harry's parents and their subsequent death and now appears to be out to finish the job by killing Harry.

The Dementors, ominous flying creatures that serve as Azkaban's prison guards, are stationed at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They are ostensibly there to catch Black,but the creatures, which suck the souls from their victims, also seem to be very interested in Harry.

Enter Professor Lupin (David Thewlis), the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who first saves Harry from a Dementor on the train to Hogwarts, then teaches him a spell to defend himself. But Lupin has a dark secret of his own, making him a character almost as mysterious as Black.

Together with his friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), Harry must sort out the mystery and use his considerable powers to stay alive.

It's definitely darker and it might be a little confusing to some people if they haven't read the book. It also will probably scare some of the little kids with the Dementors and the werewolf.

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" is rated PG for "frightening moments, creature violence and mild language." But with its darker design, grittier approach and an edgier story, it is likely to be scarier than Columbus' more fanciful interpretation of Rowling's world.

Cuaron's exercise in cold grays and dank environments seems more like what an old English school would be. The school grounds and city scenes get the same treatment. So when the magic takes place - say, an attack by the Dementors during a rainy Quidditch game - it really fits.

I didn't recognize Hagrid's hut and other locations. But I think those changes were for the good. It seemed closer to the book, or the way I pictured it.

Even with all the special effects, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" wouldn't have worked without good performances, starting with that of Radcliffe, who embodies Harry's early teenage angst.Thewlis, one of England's best actors but hardly a household name, is near perfect as the tortured Lupin, and Oldman is his usual intense self as Black. Also making an impression in a couple of brief appearances is Emma Thompson as the very odd Professor Trelawney, who specializes in divination.

The kids have gotten a little bit older.That's how it is in the books, too. Now they actually look like they're about the right age. I thought the acting was pretty good. I liked the new Dumbledore (Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris) better. I thought Thewlis did pretty well.I think this one was well cast.I think Black was well cast, too.

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban"isn't perfect. It bogs down in a few sequences midway through the picture.

And they could have been a little more creative on the Dementors. I think they looked too much like the Black Riders from the "The Lord of the Rings," except they flew. They could have done something to make them not look like the Black Riders.

But it is a far better, more involving film than its two predecessors. Cuaron won't be doing "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,"the fourth installment in the series.But he's said he might do another Potter movie. Here's hoping he returns for the fifth or sixth installment and that the young cast sticks with their parts through its entirety.

With "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the film version of the story has finally lived up to the promise of the books.

Reach L. Kent Wolgamott at 473-7244 or kwolgamott@;journalstar.com. Daniel K.Wolgamott will be an eighth-grader at Elkhorn Classic Middle School this fall.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

HHH½

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Stars: DanielRadcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, DavidThewlis, Gary Oldman

Rated: PG

Now Showing: Douglas, 2 screens each East Park,SouthPointe

The Reel Story: The third installment in the Harry Potter series is the best picture of the bunch, with a darker, grittier approach from new director Cuaron and an edgier, more mysterious story.