This is gonna be a long one. Have you eaten yet? ;)
I'll put the subheadings in bold to make things easier for you. :)


Movie Review of Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban

**Naturally, spoilers galore. Proceed with caution!**
( no thanks to a certain Life! reporter who leaked a major plotline in the Saturday edition *bppppphhhhhhhht* )

Like many other Potter fans, Book 3 is my favourite so far ( Book 5 is my second fav, but that may change depending on Rowling's next 2 efforts ). Most agree that Azkaban strikes a deep chord because it tells the best story, and introduces two pivotal and extremely likeable characters in the forms of Sirius Black ( Harry's godfather ) and Professor Remus Lupin ( the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and Harry's kind mentor ). For me, this installment touched the very depths of my being because of the Patronus, a powerful spell Harry learns to ward off Dementors, but which also links him to his late father. This last aspect was handled so expertly in the novel that to this day, I still remember how tears rolled down my cheek as I read this particular chapter so many years ago.

I haven't touched the book since, but dug it up last night to pore over a few key scenes and compare them to the film's versions. More on that later.

On the whole, I did enjoy this movie. It's shorter ( 2 hours compared to the usual 2 1/2 ), moves at a much quicker pace ( zip! swoosh! ), boasts the addition of yet more esteemed British actors ( Emma Thompson, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis ), and the young leads have never been more adorable. Unlike some child actors who lose their appeal once they hit Puberty ( Macaulay Culkin ), Daniel Radcliffe ( Harry ), Emma Watson ( Hermione ) and Rupert Grint ( Ron ) look great and fulfill their roles with mature confidence and ease. It's also a pleasure to watch their group dynamics at play -- something not very obvious in the previous 2 films ( though very palpable in the novels ).

Azkaban has been described by many as "dark". Well, that's an understatement! This one's positively spine-chilling, especially whenever the Dementors show up. And you thought the Nazgul from LOTR were scary! Everything is perpetually drenched in a grayish hue, or soaked in rain ( including the Quidditch match -- but that's faithful to the book ). Sirius Black is a menacing force ( until the truth is revealed ), and the concept of an Animagus is explained, complete with an unlikely example ( Lupin's reluctant werewolf ).

But what would a Potter novel be without the requisite uplifting moments? Here, he finds hope of finding lasting happiness with his loving godfather ( the wrongly framed Sirius ), forms a deep bond with Lupin, and glimpses his father's spirit. Gary Oldman is sorely underused, but you'll see more of him in episodes 4 and 5, which I'm definitely looking forward to. David Thewlis, on the other hand, is perfectly cast as Lupin. Lanky and mild-mannered, he is nonetheless proficient when it comes to Defence Against the Dark Arts, and his scenes with Radcliffe ( especially one where they quietly discuss Harry's resemblance to his parents ) are tender and memorable.

Would I recommend this film? Yes. By all means, see it, because despite its imperfections, it's pretty good nonetheless ( though I still like the first installment the most ). All this talk about the new director, Alfonso Cuaron, having some earth-shaking effect on the franchise, has me a little befuddled, 'cos from what I can see, the cast could've driven this film without anyone's help. If anything, credit should go to Chris Columbus ( who helmed #1 and #2 ) for building such an awe-inspiring foundation, nurturing these talented children, and having the generosity and grace to let others in on the fun. Time magazine's Richard Corliss suggested a few A-list directors for future Potter movies ( Tim Burton, Ang Lee, even Mel Gibson ), but I think it'd be most fitting if Columbus returned to lead the finale ( Book 7, if Rowling doesn't change her mind ).

Similarly, I'd much prefer having the same troupe of young actors staying on till the tale's conclusion. True, they're fast outgrowing their roles because the films can't get made within a year ( #4 is due November 2005 ). I suppose it's inevitable, but Radcliffe, Watson and Grint will always be remembered for these roles -- roles they played so adeptly -- and there's never anything wrong with bringing smiles to people's faces through the power of a mere thought. :)

Now, I will share excerpts from the book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. This is how Rowling wrote the harrowing scene where Harry confronted a horde of Dementors before being saved by a Patronus conjured by someone ( originally suggested to be his late father, but later revealed to be otherwise ).
I'm doing this because I'd like to know if I'm the only person who thinks this very important sequence wasn't portrayed as ideally as expected. Maybe it's just me.

"Harry set off at a run, Hermione right behind him. The yelping seemed to be coming from near the lake. They pelted towards it, and Harry, running flat out, felt the cold without realising what is must mean -

The yelping stopped abruptly. As they reached the lake's shore they saw why - Sirius had turned back into a man. He was crouched on all fours, his hands over his head.

'Noooo ,' he moaned. 'Nooooo ... please...'

And then Harry saw them. Dementors, at least a hundred of them, gliding in a black mass around the lake towards them. He spun around, the familiar, icy cold penetrating his insides, fog starting to obscure his vision; more were appearing out of the darkness on every side; they were encircling them...

'Hermione, think of something happy!' Harry yelled, raising his wand, blinking furiously to try and clear his vision, shaking his head to rid it of the faint screaming that has started inside it -

I'm going to live with my godfather. I'm leaving the Dursleys.

He forced himself to think of Sirius, and only Sirius, and began to chant: 'Expecto patronum! Expecto patronum!'

Black gave a shudder, rolled over and lay motionless on the ground, pale as death.

He'll be all right. I'm going to go and live with him.

'Expecto patronum! Hermione, help me! Expecto patronum!'

'Expecto - ' Hermione whispered, 'expecto- expecto- '

But she couldn't do it. The Dementors were closing in, barely ten feet from them. They formed a solid wall around Harry and Hermione, and were getting close...

'EXPECTO PATRONUM!' Harry yelled, trying to blot the screaming from his ears. 'EXPECTO PATRONUM!'

A thin wisp of silver escaped his wand and hovered like mist before him. At the same moment, Harry felt Hermione collapse next to him. He was alone... completely alone...

'Expecto - expecto patronum - '

Harry felt his knees hit the cold grass. Fog was clouding his eyes. With a huge effort, he fought to remember - Sirius was innocent - innocent - we'll be OK - I'm going to live with him -

'Expecto patronum!' he gasped.

By the feeble light of his formless Patronus, he saw a Dementor halt, very close to him. It couldn't walk through the cloud of silver mist Harry had conjured. A dead, slimy hand slid out from under the cloak. It made a gesture as though to sweep the Patronus aside.

'No - no -' Harry gasped. 'He's innocent... expecto - expecto patronum - '

He could feel them watching him, hear their rattling breath like an evil wind around him. Then it raised both its rotting hands - and lowered its hood.

Where there should have been eyes, there was only thin, grey, scabbed skin, stretched blankly over empty sockets. But there was a mouth ... a gaping shapeless hole, sucking the air with the sound of a death-rattle.

A paralysing terror filled Harry so that he couldn't move or speak. His Patronus flickered and died.

White fog was blinding him. He had to fight... expecto patronum ... .. he couldn't see.. and in the distance, he heard the familiar screaming .. expecto patronum ... he groped in the mist for Sirius, and found his arm... they weren't going to take him...

But a pair of strong, clammy hands suddenly wrapped themselves around Harry's neck. They were forcing his face upwards... he could feel its breath ... it was going to get rid of him first... he could feel its putrid breath ... his mother was screaming in his ears ... she was going to be the last thing he ever heard -

And then, through the fog that was drowning him, he thought he saw a silvery light, growing brighter and brighter ... he felt himself fall forwards onto the grass -

Face down, too weak to move, sick and shaking, Harry opened his eyes. The blinding light was illuminating the grass around him ... The screaming had stopped, the cold was ebbing away...

Something was driving the Dementors back... it was circling around him and Sirius and Hermione... the rattling, sucking sounds of the Dementors were fading. They were leaving... the air was warm again...

With every ounce of strength he could muster, Harry raised his head a few inches and saw an animal amidst the light, galloping away across the lake. Eyes blurred with sweat, Harry tried to make out what it was .. it was bright as a unicorn. Fighting to stay conscious, Harry watched it canter to a halt as it reached the opposite shore. For a moment, Harry saw, by its brightness, somebody welcoming it back... raising his hand to pat it... someone who looked strangley familiar... but it couldn't be ...

Harry didn't understand. He couldn't think anymore. He felt the last of his strength leave him, and his head hit the ground as he fainted."


And here's another bit from the book that was glaringly left out of the movie, aargh!

"Harry looked up at him. Dumbledore wouldn't laugh - he could tell Dumbledore...

'Last night... I thought it was my dad who'd conjured my Patronus. I mean, when I saw myself across the lake... I thought I was seeing him.'

'An easy mistake to make,' said Dumbledore softly. 'I expect you're tired of hearing it, but you do look extraordinarily like James. Except for your eyes... you have your mother's eyes.'

Harry shook his head.
'It was stupid, thinking it was him,' he muttered. 'I mean, I knew he was dead.'

'You think the dead we have loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him. How else could you produce that particular Patronus? Prongs rode again last night.'

It took a moment for Harry to realise what Dumbledore had said.
'Sirius told me all about how they became Animagi last night,' said Dumbledore, smiling. 'An extraordinary achievement - not least, keeping it quiet from me. And then I remembered the most unusual form your Patronus took, when it charged Mr. Malfoy down at your Quidditch match against Ravenclaw. so you did see your father last night, Harry... you found him inside yourself.'

I love this book! :)



Birthday Break ... Continued

Ignoring my studies for a day or two, and thanks again to everyone who's sent their well wishes. I appreciate them all. :)

Today, I'll be heading down to SUNTEC to catch the Singapore Idol action. Here's something to read:

Queues start early for Idol auditions

Let the madness begin! :D

Dinner will be a meaty affair. Must remember to eat less for lunch. Will talk about the food another time. :)

Best of all, I bought myself some terrific discs from That CD Shop. These are going to send me to the moon, I tell you:

Jamie Cullum's Pointless Nostalgic -- released before the current double-platinum Twentysomething, this first effort is also a big winner. More conventional jazz fare, but his voice is younger, sounding like a cross between Connick Jr. and Buble ( before evolving into the more full-throated version on his second album ). A full review will follow soon, but suffice to say, his rendition of "A Time For Love" is driving me nuts -- but in a good way, of course. :)
Jazz fans, especially Cullum supporters, you HAVE to get this!

Jason Mraz's Waiting For My Rocket To Come -- the new stock's finally here, but I grabbed the last CD on the shelf! I liked what I heard during a quick scan through the tracks, but have to get through Cullum before moving on to Rocket. Will write more once I get the chance to listen to this properly, but my preliminary assessment is that Mraz has a beautiful voice, and great song-writing talent.

Concert DVD -- Russell Watson Live in Auckland. Promises to be a treat! Again, time constraints +++ More reviews another day.

Okay then, it's time for me to grab lunch. More vegetating awaits later, heh heh!

Have a good weekend!