Darker, Scarier, and Much More Satisfying: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban DVD
By Jonathon Berohn
If you’re a Harry Potter fan that hasn’t yet seen Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the 2 of you need to rush out right away and buy or rent yourself a copy because you’re missing the best of the movies so far. For the rest of us, the question isn’t so much, should you see the movie again, but should you add the DVD to your collection. OK—let’s pretend for a minute that you’re not laughing uncontrollably at this question. In that case, and in the case of the less fanatical Harry Potter devotees (namely parents of those fanatical devotees), the answer is still a resounding “yes.”
The Best Yet
While I enjoyed the first two Harry Potter films, they really pale in comparison to “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” Not only does this third film have the benefit of a better book as its source, but the acting, special effects, direction, and cinematography combine to make this installment in the Potter franchise really shine. First of all, the young stars are really coming into their own as actors in this movie. Second, the action starts the very moment the movie does—there is no languorous build-up. Finally, the wizarding world loses a bit of its sugary coating in this movie, which really helps the suspense grab hold.
The Extras
As usual, the extras on this Harry Potter DVD really impress. You get the usual making-of documentaries and actor interviews, but you can also take interactive tours of locales throughout the film. The extras not only let you in on some of the filmmaking secrets, but they also let you get a little deeper into Harry’s world. The only disappointments are the deleted scenes. I hoped they’d be a little more substantive in terms of filling in gaps from the book, but I suppose part of that is being spoiled by Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings DVDs. All in all though, the extras help make this DVD a must buy and a great gift for that young Harry Potter fan in the house.
