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The First PoA Review from a non-reader -
the truth about the film to non-book fan Summary:
I asked a good friend of mine (that I frequently go see movies with) to write down his thoughts on PoA. WHY? Because he's one of the very few people in the world that hasn't read the books!
Article:
I'm tired of hearing everybody say, "People that havent read the books would be so confused about ...."
This is the proof. He's one of "those" people. Was he confused? Did he think there were gaping holes in the story?
Read on and see for yourself.
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Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
So, Richard ..uhhm... Dumbledore asked me to write down* my thoughts on the newest Harry Potter movie. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.*
Why? You might ask. Well, first of all I’m a good friend of his and second, I’m in the unique position of NOT having read any of the books. ( Puts on flame proof suit )
I do however know a little about movies. I collect them you see. And finally, I consider it an honor to be asked to do this. I’m not a movie-critic. And I haven’t written a ”review” before so I hope I do ok* :unsure:
First of, I would like to say that I think HP:ATPOA is the best of the three movies. It has more style. It has better directing. It has a more engaging story.
The reason I think the story is more engaging is that it is more personal. Even tough you learned about the characters in the previous films I never felt that we as an audience where taken ”behind the veil”. We never got to se behind the façade of who these people are. In this film, Harry is shown as a more human character. And so, to a certain extent, are the people around him. We finally see why the Dursleys treat him so badly. It’s not just some underlying hatred because he’s different. It’s because they are afraid of him. They fear what he can and might do with his potential power. One can see it in there eyes at the beginning of the movie. This wasn’t there in the previous film.
The relationship between the three ”main” characters also seems more real. The way they talk to each other and interact. The secrets they keep and the things they do. They are more grown up. And so is the movie.
In a way it’s perfect. The style of the films become more adult as the characters do the same. I assume the same can be said in regards to the books? The themes in this, the third film, are more involving as well. There are deeper meanings there without getting to preachy. Serious questions like: How do you treat your friends when you don’t agree? How much of your self do you share with others?
How much patience should you have for people that spread hate and loathing?
These questions and others are things the Harry, Ron and Hermione have to deal with throughout the entire film. And it makes it more interesting.
I would like to make a pint regarding scenes in the film. I know that a lot of people have ideas on what people that haven’t read the books will or will not understand. Seeing as there are scenes missing from the film that are considered key scenes in the book.* I have to say that I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. Never once during the movie did the questions “how did that happen?” or “how did he know that?” enter my mind.
Take the scene where Professor Lupin finds out that Harry has the Marauder-map. I’ve later been told that he was one of the people that made the map. And that is why he knew what it was. In the film one only sees that he knows and one has to accept it. And that is not a problem. The twins knew what it was so why can’t a professor have heard of it and understand what it was when he saw it? After talking to people who have read the book I know that there is LOT of information missing from the film. But it’s not needed.
As a standalone film this works great. Even tough it might falter as an adaptation. (But that is not my department 
)
There are things I am missing though. Humor is one. Ok, there was humor there. And one has to be careful with putting to much humor in a film like this, so it doesn’t ruin the adult themes…But there still could have been a little more. Not much…just a little more.
I also have one negative point to say about Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. Personally I that his Dumbledore was better character wise. He was more “alert” one might say. He seemed more powerful. Both as a person and as a wizard. But he still had that certain caring and understanding “grandfather” thing about him. Richard Harris (the actor* :whisle: ), on the other hand, had a more powerful physical presence. So in my mind the perfect Dumbledore would be a mixture of the two.
Closing I will say that I think this is great family entertainment. Actually it’s some of the best entertainment for children out there. In a world where mindless shows like “Teletubbies” are what children are served, HP:ATPOA stands out as a film that takes children seriously. A film that while it might be a little scary for some, still sets out to thrill children with adventure while actually posing questions that if answered, can help the children watching find out about them selves. Children aren’t as stupid as some people might think. And they deserve to be entertained intelligently. Like the creator of Dreamworks once said: “Others make movies for the children and the child in every adult. We make movies for the adult in every child.” I think that is what J.K Rowling intended with the book. And I think that is what Alfonso Cuarón intended with the film. In my mind, it seems they both succeeded.
NOTE: All emphasis (bold text) was added by me to highlight the most interesting parts.
Thanks to Osiris for taking the time to do this for me!
Oh, he's also got the HUGEST collection of DVD's (over 2000) of anybody I know! When it comes to movies, this guy knows what he's talking about.