BizzleCast 91: HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN Film Commentary

In 2004, now-legendary director Alfonso Cuarón turned Harry Potter into a dark, scary, morally ambiguous teen-horror film — and it was fantastic. With Disney’s 2017 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST topping $1 billion, the immensely talented Emma Watson’s star is as astronomical as ever. While she has provided us with some fantastic non-Harry Potter roles — including THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER and THE COLONY — it was this third Harry Potter entry in 2004 by Mr. Cuarón that really brought this incredible talent to my attention. I was very much NOT a Harry Potter person in 2004 (and still not so much today), and this was the first time I had interfaced with any HP property thanks to my sister’s loving prodding, insisting that this was the first “adult” HP film (thanks sis!). I was immediately blown away by three things in this film: the bizarre, dark, stylized, and weirdly funny filmmaking by Cuarón; Daniel Radcliffe playing a MUCH cooler and more badass Harry Potter than I was expecting (“badass” was NOT a word I was expecting to feel about him); but most of all, this 12 year old girl named Emma Watson playing Harry’s best buddy Hermione Granger who immediately displayed a fiery, bold, and fiercely loyal temperament — and then proceeded to steal the film with her presence, her performance, and her brilliantly written role in this tale by J.K. Rowling. Rowling herself is said to have been thrilled with both the selection of Cuarón and the finished product, and it’s not hard to see why. This is a landmark work of fantasy and probably my favorite fantasy film ever not called THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and I don’t even know what’s close. With classic supporting performances by Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, and of course Alan Rickman aka “The Doctor of Dry,” this is one for the and for all ages. Check out more of the BizzleCast at: www.bizzlecast.com facebook.com/bizzlecast @thebizzle81 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED by The BizzleCast (Jesse F. Brenner)