Legend has it that a broke J.K. Rowling conceived of youthful wizard Harry Potter and his fellow Hogwarts students of magic on a napkin of a local diner as she paid for the last meal she could afford. Billions of dollars later, the tremendous literary franchise that she spirited up has blossomed into a no less formidable motion picture empire.
I read the first novel, "Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone" and immediately zeroed in on why the tales have inspired millions of fans worldwide. Much like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Roald Dahl, Rowling has created a world from scratch, in painstaking detail. And the features, under the able brushes of Chris Columbus and now Alfonso Cuaron, spare none of the continuity, down to the animated tapestries adorning the walls of Hogwarts. With each successive film, we feel a part of visiting a familiar campus and relish our time amidst the prestidigitagious faculty.
There has also sprung a sort of familiarity about the structure of these films. Much as James Bond must endure an action packed escape sequence in the beginning of his films, so must our Harry suffer the indignities of the Dursley's, his reluctant guardians, at the beginning of each film. Then, as the new school term approaches, Harry is warned of impending danger.
This time, it comes in the form of a warning from his pal Ron's dad, who relates that the escaped prisoner from Azkaban, Sirius Black, will be gunning for him. Seems that Sirius is a follower of the evil Voldemorte, the wizard that killed Harry's parents and adorned him with his trademark lightning bolt upon his forehead.
This year's new faculty member is Professor Lupin, and it's pretty obvious when werewolf attacks are reported and the professor can't teach the morning following a full moon that he's got problems that the best Gillette can't cure.
Also plaguing Hogwarts are Azkaban's Dementors, mindless demons who are searching for Black, tormenting good guys and bad guys alike.
This is a darker installment of the Harry Potter series, and it's tame PG rating surprises me. It's not an entry for youngsters, but there is much to recommend it. Child stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have grown into their roles with each successive entry, and producers better think long and hard before replacing them on the grounds of puberty.
Michael Gambon replaces the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore seamlessly, with Harris' wit and wisdom intact. Alan Rickman's Professor Snape is in fine form, but it is a pity that Maggie Smith is given so little to do as Professor McGonegal. Gary Oldman excels as Black, who isn't quite who he seems. And Emma Thompson hams it up gladly as the nearsighted divination instructor, whose methods of fortunetelling don't click very well with the usually astute Hermione.
There are some dandy creatures in the film as well, that aid greatly in the suspension of disbelief.
And Hermione and Harry dabble in a delightful piece of time travel towards the end of the film, a pet favorite of mine, artfully handled.
Oh, and I need to mention the biggest thrill of the evening. That's the ice cold chill that went up my spine as my beloved wife accidentally emptied a large Coke in my lap just as the trailers came to an end. Yes, I saw the entire movie with soaked trousers. Make sure that you don't lift those things by their lid. You'll thank me.
Sunday
May 5th, 2024
1:47AM
