Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: June 4, 2004
8.3
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 1105 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
975
Mixed:
88
Negative:
42
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
Film_Fanatic_15Nov 22, 2010
The third time around didn't charm me as well as the first two movies in the franchise. They changed the director, which had a big effect on the overall tone of the movie. It was dark and unrelenting to watch. The only thing that appealed toThe third time around didn't charm me as well as the first two movies in the franchise. They changed the director, which had a big effect on the overall tone of the movie. It was dark and unrelenting to watch. The only thing that appealed to me was how it ended and the magical scenery around Hogwarts. The rest, I could forget about it. There never was a bright moment in the movie, and the only thing Harry has to hold onto is his two friends, Hermoine and Ron. Harry has enemies, he has friends. He still hasn't fully understood that he will in the end have an epic battle with Voldemort because he has an ultimate desire too. Lord Voldemort is very powerful, but his lurking presence around the halls of Hogwarts doesn't frighten him as much as it used to. The director gives us an uncomfortable viewing experience that I wan't happy with and wish this doesn't happen again in the next film.… Expand
2 of 9 users found this helpful27
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4
KarlK.Sep 5, 2006
It's not as magical as the first two films. The sounds were also very poor, it doesn't seem to compliment the mood of the scenes. The only thing I liked about the movie was the environments were more detailed. Over-all, it was a It's not as magical as the first two films. The sounds were also very poor, it doesn't seem to compliment the mood of the scenes. The only thing I liked about the movie was the environments were more detailed. Over-all, it was a bit disappointing.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
5
jalalA.KJul 27, 2010
BRILLIANT!
0 of 3 users found this helpful
5
AndreaDec 15, 2005
I just finished watching the first 3 Harry Potter films on DVD, in preparation for seeing the fourth film in the theatres tomorrow. Watching the films in this way really emphaszies how different the third film is from its predecessors. If I I just finished watching the first 3 Harry Potter films on DVD, in preparation for seeing the fourth film in the theatres tomorrow. Watching the films in this way really emphaszies how different the third film is from its predecessors. If I had not seen the first two films I would probabyl have rated this film a bit higher, but what bothered me was that this director chose to change both the scenery and Hogwarth's structure/routines. I liked that the first two films played up Hogwarth's similarities to traditional English boarding schools, and I was especialyl disappointed to see that this new director chose to "modernize" so many things (including the street clothing the characters wear for much of this film). Most significant is the castign change for the role of Professor Dumbledore. Another reviewere noted here that Dumbledore is the centre of the novels, and it's important to really feel that he's trustworthy as a leader. The late Richard Harris was wonderful; the new actor plays Dumbledore as a bit of a joke, and this bothered me. Dumbledore is portrayed in this film as a doddering old man, which is absolutely contrary to the books themselves and to the prior 2 films. All in all, this film will probably be most appreciated by people who haven't read the books or seen either of the previous films.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
5
GoldenEye16Aug 21, 2010
Definitely not as good as the first to. I feel like it lacked the craft, beauty, and authenticity of the first two films and was really immature, especially at the end. I don't understand how you can end a movie, especially Harry PotterDefinitely not as good as the first to. I feel like it lacked the craft, beauty, and authenticity of the first two films and was really immature, especially at the end. I don't understand how you can end a movie, especially Harry Potter with that last scene/image. It really felt cheesy when it should be majestic and beautiful. It wasn't bad but really I didn't like it as much.… Expand
0 of 4 users found this helpful04
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5
GavGav96Aug 15, 2010
High on special effects and much more spooky, funny and mature than the two previous films, but the direction seems to be a lot more lazy than the other films. This has resulted in my least favourite in the whole series (this far)
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
spadenxDec 2, 2011
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Overall it was another basic HP film that doesnt really do much for the series. While it does start to make use of the older cast members, The acting from the young cast members is probably some of the worst in the series (A lot of over acting from them).

Also the film is rather corny through out and it doesnt even come close to the emotional feel that the book had.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
csw12Mar 25, 2012
Harry Potter has suffered it's first little hiccup. I didn't really enjoy the new kind of filmmaking. The story suffers from a disjointed feel which i believe which not play well with people who have read the book, like me.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
Rox22Apr 26, 2015
One thing I don't get about this movie is all the overwhelming praise it gets. In my opinion this one of my least favorite of the Harry Potter movies.

Granted the effects are top notch, as usual, acting is mostly OK but perhaps a bit overOne thing I don't get about this movie is all the overwhelming praise it gets. In my opinion this one of my least favorite of the Harry Potter movies.

Granted the effects are top notch, as usual, acting is mostly OK but perhaps a bit over the top at times. The plot, while interesting, feels rushed and the movie on th e whole feels like th e cliff notes to a much bigger story (one could argue that all the movies are like this, but this one just feels like it more.)

The darker atmosphere, while done well, really is brought on too quickly when compared to the lighter hearted predecessors. It felt too much like the new director was trying too hard to give it a look and feel of his own.

Overall:
HPatPoA is good movie, it just feels like it is missing something that left me thinking "Is that it?"… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
SrPepeJan 3, 2018
La verdad que a mi gusto es la peor de las 8 pero eso no la hace mala ...
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
FilipeNetoFeb 12, 2018
Interesting but not surprising.

This film is the adaptation of the third book in the Harry Potter's saga written by J.K. Rowling, and is the first in the franchise that isn't directed by Chris Columbus, who makes way for Alfonso Cuarón. TheInteresting but not surprising.

This film is the adaptation of the third book in the Harry Potter's saga written by J.K. Rowling, and is the first in the franchise that isn't directed by Chris Columbus, who makes way for Alfonso Cuarón. The cast, however, remains the same, which allows to this film doesn't seems a totally different thing from the first two, although there are changes in the way the story is told and seen. One of the most obvious changes is the gradual abandonment of the use of black school robes, almost ubiquitous in the first two movies. For some fans, its a transition to another stage of the film franchise. Also notable is the arrival of Michael Gambon to the role of Albus Dumbledore, left vacant by the death of Richard Harris. Although loyalty and attachment to the original book and it's details is a feature that will come to gradually disappearing, this movie still follows closely the history of the book. For all these reasons, this movie entertains, delights but haven't nothing surprising.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
TyranianApr 9, 2019
Potter 3 is another solid entry with good effects and slightly fewer plot holes.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
sebastianaliJun 3, 2022
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. To be honest, this movie is terrible, much worse than the previous two. I have practically the same criticism with this movie as with Harry Potter 2, so just check out that review, i wouldnt repeat myself. And the time traveling aspect is so underdeveloped...
There are some moments in the movie where it shines though, like the visuals, all of the conversations with Harry and Remus Lupinand and Hagrid still manages to being the "comfort" point when the series needs it. Unfortunately the generic villian, the underdeveloped story and all of the forced situations kills this one. This movie shouldnt be three hours long.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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