The story starts with Harry, no longer afraid of his abusive Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, rebelling against their cruel ways. When Vernon's sister Aunt Marge comes to visit and spits bile about Harry's parents, he flips and unleashes his magic powers upon her. Running away from home, he's makes his way back to Hogwarts, but not before sensing something wicked on his tail. That wicked something, Harry learns, is is Sirius Black, a wizard who betrayed Harry's parents, his former friends, to the evil Voldemort. When Harry learns of this he vows to avenge his family by killing Black in cold blood. He trains for the showdown under the tutelage of new Defense Against The Dark Arts professor, Lupin, but the story isn't as black and white as Harry thinks it is.
Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson put their best work in the series so far in this film. Transitioning from meek youths into powerful wizards, Harry and Hermione have a sense of burgeoning power. Serious newcomers David Thewlis and Gary Oldman, as Lupin and Black respectively, put in fine performances. Oldman is perfect casting for Black, stereotyped as a villain and assumed to be up to no good whenever he appears on screen. Thewlis brings a warmth and feeling of true mentoring that Harry hasn't been exposed to before in the flims.
While "Sorcerer's Stone" and "Chamber of Secrets" were very good children's adventures, "The Prisoner Of Azkaban" is far more enjoyable for adults than the previous "Potter" movies. The rub is that some scenes may be a little bit intense for young children, though in a way that will have them covering their eyes with their hands yet cracking their fingers apart to peek. "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" is the best in the series so far.
4.5/5 Stars.