So who's seen Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban?

[rascalmom]

We saw a late matinee this afternoon. Definitely a different "look" from the other movies. More departures from the book, but I thought this made it more interesting than the previous movies. The three young actors are really growing into their parts - whoever originally cast these kids really had great foresight on their future talent.

What did you think?

 

[jeleebeene]

I so want to talk about the movie, but afraid of providing spoilers for those who haven't seen it yet.

We just got home from seeing it and have been talking about it since we left the theatre.

The movie is amazing - loved it. But, I was also disappointed. I think some key things were left out, and other parts rearranged - I know that it can't go "by the book" necessarily, but I was looking forward to certain parts to see how they would do it in the movie and never did get to see them. As soon as most have seen it, I hope to be able to discuss them in more detail.

The dementors were very spooky - and over all I give the movie an A-.....not an A+ just because of the parts I wish they would have integrated into the movie.

And, as I am sure most of you will notice, DH and I are trying to figure out how they will incorporate things they left out from the book and put into the next movie....it'll be interesting!!

Anyone else have any thoughts??? Can't wait for a more in depth discussion!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Saw it and while I won't go into detail I would say I hadn't read the book in a couple of years on purpose. Now I will go back and review! I find that this technique works better for me.

A+ overall!

 

[billelissa]

We saw it and liked it very much but left with a feeling that we wanted more. Overall the movie was very good but very different than the first two movies. They did cut out a lot of details from the book and I felt they could have made the movie longer to incorporate more details. I don't know what they are going to do for books 4 and 5. I think they will need to do two part movies for those two books. 2 hours and 20 minutes will not be enough time for books 4 and 5.
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Compared to the first 2 movies, Azkaban is much darker. The character development for this movie didn't seem as strong as the previous movies because a lot of details were omitted. The exception to this is Harry as his character was more developed than the others.
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Out of the 3 HP movies, I like the Chamber of Secrets best so far. The current Dumbeldore was not up to par. Perhaps they can beg Ian McKellen to portray the Headmaster in The Order of the Pheonix.

 

[jeleebeene]

billelissa - that is exactly what DH wants - Ian McKellan as Dumbledore. He wanted that from the time that they were casting for the new Dumbledore. No one can replace Richard Harris, but he so things Ian would have done a wonderful job...

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Just got back. Kids and I loved it. Have not read anybooks so from my side it was done great.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by billelissa

The current Dumbeldore was not up to par.

During the movie my son (12) leaned over and said" I miss the real Dumbeldore."

 

[bellacam]

Me too! I kept seeing him as Gandalf not Dumbeldore! Overall, I liked it definatley much darker.

 

[Barb D]

We saw it yesterday. DS kept grumbling afterward about differences from the books, but I've come to the conclusion with most movies that you have to treat them as separate entities! I thought the most important aspects of the book were there.

I LOVED the way the Hogwarts grounds looked. The whole look of the movie was different from the first two, which itself was different from the way I imagined it when reading the books. I like this one best.

I also loved the way they handled the "three turns" portion. (Not saying more in case it would be a spoiler.)

As I type this there's a story on the Today show about the new Dumbledore.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes the "3 turns" was handled beautifully and in fact I was quite impressed that the "Shrieking Shack" scene was done fantastically!!!! I am going to read the book and go see it AGAIN!

I will have to say I wish they filmed more footage to release an extended version.

 

[DisKim]

I agree that there were alot of departures from the book. I had to fill in some gaps for my DD8. I loved the movie. One thing I liked about this director was that he did away with the "Home Alone" type shots of the young actors making dramatic faces. Did anyone else notice this or am I just weird? I just wanted the movie to keep going through the next two books. I can't imagine how they will fit "Goblet of Fire" into a two hour movie.

 

[Gupsmom]

Dh and I saw it yesterday. We both really enjoyed it. I could handle most of the differences...like someone else posted, I hadn't read the book in a long time (on purpose) and I will now go back and read it again. The only part that bothered me, unfortunately, was the very end. They cut too much from it and I felt a bit let down. I wish I could talk about that but I'll have to wait so I don't post any spoilers.

Jess

 

[snoopy]

I felt the same way as most -- it was very well done -- a more "grown up" feel to it than the first two movies, though. I won't ever accept anyone in the role of Dumbledore, Richard Harris just was born to play that role. But I think they could have made a better selection than the actor who played him. Its not that he isn't a good actor......he's just not the right person for that role. I also wasn't overally impressed with Gary Oldman, again, just not the right person for the role, imo. OTOH, I thought David Thewlis was "brilliant" (to steal a phrase from the Brits!) in the role of Lupin.

I also agree that some of the key points from the book were left out -- no problem for us since we've all read the books -- but for those who haven't some key information was omitted that might make it confusing in future movies.

Overall, I'd give the movie a B+ -- the bottom line is I looked forward to it for a long time now, and I was not disappointed. Can't wait to see it again while on vacation in two weeks.

 

[Gupsmom]

I thought David Thewlis was "brilliant" (to steal a phrase from the Brits!) in the role of Lupin.

Absolutely....he was great. Again, I wish I could post about a couple specific scenes..lol. I can't wait until everyone has had a chance to see it.

Jess

 

[snoopy]

Originally posted by Barb D
I LOVED the way the Hogwarts grounds looked. The whole look of the movie was different from the first two, which itself was different from the way I imagined it when reading the books. I like this one best.

I also loved the way they handled the "three turns" portion. (Not saying more in case it would be a spoiler.)

I agree with you here....this movie definately came closest to what I visualized while reading the books. The cinematography, the overall film design were definately superior to the first two movies. But there was somethng magical about those too, particularly Sorcorer's Stone. I'm not sure which my favorite is, I've loved all three.

Sadly, they are going to make GOF just one movie..... I can't imagine how. I read that it starts with the International Quidditch Tournament, and the scene where the Weasleys arrive at the Dursleys by flue is omitted completely. These later books are so huge and so detailed its harder to capture everything in one movie.

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

Saw it last night. I am not really sure how I feel about it. As others have said it is different from the first two.

I would say that it is my least favorite of the 3. BUT, I have only seen it once. After viewing again, I may feel differently.

Its cool to see the kids grow up. Hermione is beautiful and Ron and Harry are becoming men!

I also missed Dumbledore. I loved the new teacher!! (Dont want to spoil)

 

[luv2nascar]

reading what everyone has said makes me just want to see it now
I can't wait any longer

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by snoopy
OTOH, I thought David Thewlis was "brilliant" (to steal a phrase from the Brits!) in the role of Lupin.

"Bloody brilliant." To quote Ron


C'mon, people. Just post "Spoiler Alerts" in your post so we can really start discussing movie specifics in either this thread or in the Leaky Cauldron thread. I can't wait anymore to start talking about the movie with anyone other than my family