There are a number of reasons why both the novel and film versions of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite of the series. This entry explores the past of Harry's parents and their friends and how it connects to the present in some very interesting and rather surprising ways.
As the film opens, Harry Potter (played by Daniel Radcliffe) is once again staying with his Aunt Petunia (played by Fiona Shaw), Uncle Vernon (played by Richard Griffiths), and cousin Dudley (played by Harry Melling). They are visited by Vernon's sister, Marge (played by Pam Ferris), a vile and verbally abusive woman. Harry soon has his breaking point with the woman and his anger gets the better of him, accidentally causing Marge to inflate like a large balloon and literally float out the window. Harry then flees the Dursley's house and one quick trip on a triple decker bus specially for wizards, Harry is back in the wizarding world where he quickly discovers that Sirius Black (played by Gary Oldman), convicted Voldemort ally, has escaped from wizard prison Azkaban and is likely headed right for Harry himself at Hogwarts. Meanwhile, all sorts of changes have taken place for the new year, including new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Remus Lupin (played by David Thewlis) and Hagrid (played by Robbie Coltrane) has been given his own class as well. Harry is reunited with his friends Ron (played by Rupert Grint) and Hermoine (played by Emma Watson) as the three begin to uncover who Sirius Black is and how he figures into Harry and Harry's parents pasts.
For the third film, Alfonso Cuaron took over directing duties and infuses the film with his own sense of style and in the process giving the series a breath of fresh air. The entire production design gets a fresh turn as certain aspects of Hogwarts get a new interpretation and design. We also get to see the nearby Wizard village Hogsmeade for the first time as the students take a trip there as a break from school. Cuaron does a great job bringing some fantastic and memorable moments to life, such as Harry's ride on the Knight Bus, the bus specifically for witches and Wizards that whizzes around London so fast it doesn't even register to non-magic folk. There is also Harry's ride on a Hippogriff, courtesy of Hagrid that is equally magical. Then there is the inflating of Aunt Marge at the beginning of the film that is wonderfully realized and quite funny. Also, I love how the story unfolds for this entry, and I suppose most of that credit goes to J.K Rowling, but without spoiling anything for those who haven't seen the film or read the book, the film does have a few nifty twists in store.
The acting is great with Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson continuing to grow as actors and as always surrounded by some of the best British actors around. Michael Gambon steps in as Dumbledore after the passing of Richard Harris, giving the character his own unique spin and if I'm being completely honest, I have always preferred Gambon's portrayal of Dumbledore to Harris' (although Harris was great too, just in different ways). David Thewlis makes his first appearance in the series as Remus Lupin. There is a special bond that develops between Lupin and Harry as Lupin teaches Harry how to ward off the nasty Dementors, guards of the Azkaban prison that have taken temporary residence as the school on the chance that escaped prisoner Sirius Black shows up. It's that bond and the way that it is acted that really seals why Prisoner of Azkaban is my favorite of the series.
Overall, this film was a giant leap forward for the Harry Potter series and set the tone that would be carried out throughout the remainder of the series. Alfonso Cuaron infused his entry with a great deal of imagination and style while at the same time letting the series grow up a little. Along with some very fine acting and a great story, it's easy to see why this entry stands out for me.
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