To be quite frank here, it was the scenery, and the fact that Alfonso Cuarón, made it gritty in some scenes....following the actors in a shaky camera action. Movie direction like that, literally puts someone in to the movie itself. Whan I first saw it back in 2004 when it opened, I was quite dizzy, but I liked it, because it was as if one was in it. This movie, further expanded the wizard world, way beyond Hogwarts or even Diagon Alley. it introduced us to other creatures, such as the wonderful display of cinematography seen, when Harry Potter rode the hippogriph, Buckbeak, even the rippling effects of Buckbeaks claw slashing through the water in an amazing scene of the Care of Magical Creatures class conducted by Hagrid. Also, the kids, were mostly seen out of their Hogwarts clothes, to more muggle clothing, as breaking apart from the set standard and confines of just being students.....this movie expressed a better sense of freedom from the shackles of monotony. This movie, alos foreshadowed some of the events that were to be in the last two books, even giving the author, JK Rowling, goosebumps just by watching it. This was of course, the beginning of the darker phases of HP, including Potter being a much better wizard, after casting his first Patronus Charm, to do away against the Dementors. To be honest, the Dementors never looked btter in any other film, but this one. PoA, gave them life, not the fake CGI looking ones from the later movies.
Unfortunately, this is the movie that Michael Gambon came in to replace the recently dead, Richard Harris, as Dumbledore from the previous two movies. Though, he did his job well enough, no one can ever replace Richard Harris. What I also loved about this movie, besides the freedom of mobility, was the fact, that this was one of few movies, that was able to go back and forward in time, without confusing anyone. The storyline, was well written, and not even the slightest confusing at all. When both HP and Hermione went back in time, it gave you a clue to the things that happened within the movie. Well played out, thought of, and performed by both Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe.
This isn't exactly the darkest of the HP series at all, but this is the beginning. It foreshadowed Harry's darkness and way of thinking, crucial to his development, as the series advanced over the next few years. It strengthened Hermione, to being strong and also showing a deeper side of her. Unfortunately for Ron, no dice in this one, but he's a late bloomer, and was out of action in the most important part towards the end. Another quick foreshadowing.......Hermione and Harry, were in this adventure alone, as they were left to their own, under much more dangerous scenarios in Deathly hallow pt.1. The trio, in all, came to their own, as strong willed wizards so far. Whenever there's an end, there's always a beginning. And Prisoner of Azkaban, is the beginning of when things were to be darker. This is the strengthening part for Hermione and Harry. Prisoner of Azkaban, after 6 years, still is tops for me. Half Blood Prince, and Deathly Hallows part 1, were excellent in every way, but I still like this, because not only because it's the beginning of the darkness and foreshadowing, but also because both Mike Newell and David Yates, have tried to copy the mastery of Alfonso Cuarón's style of direction, with the cinematography, the art direction, and the motions of cameras. They tried, they succeeded, but haven't captured the magic of Cuarón.
No comments:
Post a Comment