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11-15-2004, 08:57 PM
| | |  DVD Town reviews the PoA DVD
DVD Town has posted up their review of the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban DVD which comes out on Friday in the UK. Quote:
I enjoyed the first two "Potters," mind you, but I thought they were mostly about special effects, the wonders of visual excitement, more than about story or characters. They were, in effect, cute and fun and delightful to look at.
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"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," is much more ominous and much more grown-up, so to speak, than the first two. That said, I wish it had more of a story to it. But that deficiency might be laid at the doorstep of the book's author, J.K. Rowling, as much as on director Cuaron. Rowling had certainly blossomed as a writer by the third "Potter" installment, but she still tended to be rather unfocused in her plot line.
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Yet the tone, mood, and atmosphere in number three are so much more imaginatively serious, even Hogwarts and its surroundings looking and feeling different, that it more than makes up for the thin plot. What's more, the three young leads have matured and become better actors, delivering more authoritative and realistic performances.
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"The Prisoner of Azkaban" feels like just what it is--a transitional tale, a bridge between the first two introductory books and the next ones to follow. Seen as a link in the progression of stories, "Azkaban" works well enough, but taken on its own, it feels rather unfinished and, ultimately, unfulfilling.
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The pacing is certainly one culprit, as the story doesn't really go very quickly in any particular direction; but also I attribute the story's lackadaisical nature to the fact that it has so little to say beyond a few character discoveries. The first two movies, while less developed in style and tone, told self-contained stories. They stood on their own. This latest one feels more like a brief anecdote than a fully evolved narrative; it's like a chapter in a book rather than a complete novel.
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I had the feeling as the movie was going on and again when it was over that while a lot of action occurred, nothing much actually happened.
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I thoroughly enjoyed the new look. The old castle of Hogwarts is gloomier than ever, no longer the place of childhood fancy but of genuine frights. And Hagrid's hut being farther from the castle and down a steep incline gives the movie a more visually diverse and appealing look.
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But no director will dare add much that's new to Ms. Rowling's plots, and I found the written stories of Ms. Rowling becoming more diffuse as they went along.
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That's really all there is to the plot. Sirius comes to Hogwarts, and after a few rousing escapades, the conflict is resolved. Then, it's time to wait for the next movie.
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As a character study, the movie works well, with Harry having to face his worst fears (Sirius Black); learn who he is (the allusion to his father and the stag); cope with a newfound sexual awareness (hoping his uncle won't catch him playing under the covers with his wand); and deal with people who are "different" (Lupin's outing).
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I liked the humor of Harry's blowing up his obnoxious Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris) to gigantic balloon size and floating her out the doorway, a scene reminiscent of the one in "Willy Wonka" where the candy maker turns an obnoxious little girl into a giant blueberry.
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I liked the gentle impishness of Michael Gambon, replacing the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore. I liked the sad-eyed David Thewlis as Professor Lupin, whose condition makes his stay at Hogwarts difficult. I liked the goofiness of Emma Thompson as the charlatan medium, Professor Trelawney. I liked the always-dependable Timothy Spall as the ratty Peter Pettigrew.
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There's the sniveling creep, Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton); the scary, ill-tempered Professor Snape (Alan Rickman); the maternal and sympathetic Professor McGonnagall (Maggie Smith).
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At best, "The Prisoner of Azkaban" is a good, atmospheric stepping stone in the "Potter" chronology, with yet something wanting to make it an entirely satisfying movie on its own.
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Warner Bros. continue to market their extras with mainly younger audiences in mind. Therefore, you will again not see an audio commentary or a full-length documentary among the bonuses.
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This includes "Trelawney's Crystal Ball," five deleted scenes in various stages of completion; "Creating the Vision," eleven minutes of comments by the cast and crew; and "Head to Shrunken Head," individual cast interviews.
The fourth section is "Hogwarts Grounds," which contains "Care of Magical Creatures," a four-minute piece wherein we meet the animal trainers who worked on the film; "Conjuring a Scene," a fifteen-minute behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Buckbeak the hippogriff and the dementors.
Unlike the first two "Potter" releases, which came in foldout cases and slipcovers, this one comes packaged in a regular two-disc slim-line keep case, with an informational insert guide.
Source: The Leaky Cauldron.  | |
11-15-2004, 09:08 PM
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#2 (permalink)
| | Mooncalf
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,729
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Quote:
I liked the goofiness of Emma Thompson as the charlatan medium, Professor Trelawney.
Yeah Thompson did a great job!
Anyways I just want the dvd now!
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11-15-2004, 09:25 PM
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#3 (permalink)
| | Streeler
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 231
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i thought the film was good but i also thought that it was rushed so much was missing
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11-15-2004, 09:48 PM
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#4 (permalink)
| | Niffler
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Louisiana - SS!Vet
Posts: 20,482
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Katherine Elizabeth Thomas
Third Year |  Shiny 'Claw Babe
I thought the movie was rushed and had a lot missing... but it was a great movie! *Counting down the days*
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11-15-2004, 10:10 PM
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#5 (permalink)
| | Chizpurfle
Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: C-Wood, Virginia
Posts: 10,430
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Joseph C. Allen
Sixth Year | mAGiCal SeEker
While I'm at school, most of the HP fans in UK are enjoying a new movie, but oh well.
I can't wait!!!
__________________ the batcave | keep holding on,
'cause you know we'll make it through,
make it through. just stay strong.
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11-15-2004, 10:13 PM
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#6 (permalink)
| | Puffskein
Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: dreamland
Posts: 1,524
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yeah... i agree.. movie WAS rushed a bit .. but it was still a great movie!!!
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11-15-2004, 10:43 PM
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#7 (permalink)
| | Puffskein
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Liddypool
Posts: 1,162
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Quote:
As a character study, the movie works well, with Harry having to face his worst fears (Sirius Black); learn who he is (the allusion to his father and the stag); cope with a newfound sexual awareness (hoping his uncle won't catch him playing under the covers with his wand); and deal with people who are "different" (Lupin's outing).
OMFG WTF?? DVD Town is so immature! That's absolutely horrible!
And duh the movie was rushed...they have a time limit; the books are more detailed and cohesive, obviously. I don't agree with his statement about SS/PS and CoS having 'thin plots' either...the movies couldn't show all of the events that happened in the book.
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11-15-2004, 11:41 PM
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#8 (permalink)
| | Puffskein
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,935
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Quote:
DVD Town is so immature! That's absolutely horrible!
i agree! they shouldnt be allowed to say something like that!! you know how movies have a rating for audiences, right? it reminds me of that. how do they know some little hp-obsessed kids arent reading the review? and it could be corrupting them for all they know ...
anyway lol, cant wait!! just over a week for us residents  i dont agree with them though, saying theres an unfocused plot. its allll part of an intricately woven story!!! if you give it all away theres no POINT. and they also do have a time limit, like some ppl mentioned .. wish they didnt though lol.
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11-15-2004, 11:45 PM
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#9 (permalink)
| | Puffskein
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Liddypool
Posts: 1,162
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Quote:
Originally Posted by potterxfan04 i agree! they shouldnt be allowed to say something like that!! you know how movies have a rating for audiences, right? it reminds me of that. how do they know some little hp-obsessed kids arent reading the review? and it could be corrupting them for all they know ... Yeah, there are a lot of younger kids on SS.
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11-16-2004, 12:08 AM
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#10 (permalink)
| | Puffskein
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 1,134
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POA was very overrated, in my opinioin
just my thoughts.. 
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11-16-2004, 01:04 AM
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#11 (permalink)
| | Murtlap
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: lost in a fantasy
Posts: 61
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8 more days (in counting) until prisoner of azkaban comes out on DVD. cant' wait! can't wait! can't wait!
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11-16-2004, 01:23 AM
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#12 (permalink)
|  Animal LoverGnome
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, USA
Posts: 278
First Year |
Quote:
Originally Posted by isawfred1st OMFG WTF?? DVD Town is so immature! That's absolutely horrible!
And duh the movie was rushed...they have a time limit; the books are more detailed and cohesive, obviously. I don't agree with his statement about SS/PS and CoS having 'thin plots' either...the movies couldn't show all of the events that happened in the book. i totally agree with you, that is a very immature thing to say, and plus, SS has a lot of younger readers that dont need to hear things like this. i also didnt like how PoA didnt show much plot between the Marauders.
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11-16-2004, 01:39 AM
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#13 (permalink)
| | Streeler
Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: My own little world, full of cows and random HP characters.
Posts: 233
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I guess i can agree with him....and i found the part about being under the sheets funny.....but he's still absolutely bonkers; it's totally Cuaron's fault!!! J.K. wrote it with a wonderful and developed plot; it's Cuaron that cut it in half erased so much of the point!!!! and another thing; i'm one of the younger fans on the site you've mentioned (12 years old) and i am not being corrupted! it's not like i'm going to have a seizure due to shock that someone could be like this! come on!!!!
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11-16-2004, 02:56 AM
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#14 (permalink)
| | Firecrab
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 801
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It is NOT JK's fault they butchered her story in the skript!!!!!!!! the plot in the BOOK isnt the thin its just because the retards in hollywood wouldnt know how to follow a plot if the answer slapped them in the face!!! omg i am so writing a letter. >:0
edit: Quote:
Originally Posted by rowlingrules it's totally Cuaron's fault!!! J.K. wrote it with a wonderful and developed plot; it's Cuaron that cut it in half erased so much of the point!!!! i know and u know the next movie is destined to be bad because they have to fill harry in with all the marauder stuff he doesnt know about!!!! grrrrr...
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Last edited by Princess Potter; 11-16-2004 at 03:01 AM.
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11-16-2004, 04:05 AM
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#15 (permalink)
|  SS Featured Artist
DA Poet
Rupert is My Man!
SS100 TriumphantAethonan
Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Wicked House
Posts: 18,910
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Ottery St. Catchpole
Gryffindor Third Year |  Burn the critics! Burn the critics! Paris & Kellybear r luv :Read Otty 's fics:Gone With the Wind:I♥Rupert
Quote:
but he's still absolutely bonkers; it's totally Cuaron's fault!!! J.K. wrote it with a wonderful and developed plot; it's Cuaron that cut it in half erased so much of the point!!!!
If you reread the review he cuts down her book too... Quote:
But that deficiency might be laid at the doorstep of the book's author, J.K. Rowling, as much as on director Cuaron. Rowling had certainly blossomed as a writer by the third "Potter" installment, but she still tended to be rather unfocused in her plot line.
As for deficiency, I'd say it's all in his head [literally] since PoA is my favorite book, and movie. It [the book] stands well on it's own and as for unfocused that's hardly the word I would use to describe any of her books. They have a pretty clear cut plot, and much happens. It stands well enough on it's own, but it is part of a septet so I can see his dilemma...it's all in his head, or actually not [his brain not the deficiency]. As for all those people booing Alfonso Cuaron...your welcome to your opinion, but keep in mind that books and film are two different media. Film will never compare to books which is why I imagine most of us read and don't just sit around watching television. No film director with billion dollar budgets will ever compare to my imagination. That said, as a film, alone PoA is great, sure it was rushed...personally I would have sat through four hours of film with an intermission, but honestly that would still have been lacking things. For mood, acting [well except the whole super Hermione debacle, and stealing Ron's lines...well don't get me started], the shot's, the scenery, and the humor. I mean Harry smashing his face into the windshield...well some stuff you just don't forget. I loved it. And lastly, there's a scriptwriter, who writes dialogue...[ Hermione stealing Ron's lines is soooooooooo wrong], and the editor gets the final cut, not the director, hence their job. Cuaron didn't do the film singlehandedly you know. I loved it, and I'm buying it next week... Oh, and that wand crack was just tasteless, but he's a critict can't expect him to be happy with anything.
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Last edited by OtterySt.Catchpole; 11-16-2004 at 04:11 AM.
Reason: So I can sound more like Hermione...in the books not the movie
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11-16-2004, 12:33 PM
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#16 (permalink)
|  desires irresistible waterPuffskein
Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sunny Florida
Posts: 2,280
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I also feel it was rushed, and I still don't understand why they shortened the length of this film as opposed to the first two, when it could have used some key scenes to make the story flow properly. Though it was good, it could have been much better!
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11-16-2004, 04:49 PM
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#17 (permalink)
| | Gnome
Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Malta
Posts: 378
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Personally I liked it, PoA i mean as a movie it was better then Hp1 and 2, though Dan, Emma, Rupert and co. contributed to it. However, I don't understand what was the point of shortening the lenght of this movie, firstly because fans wouldn't've minded an extra 30 mins or so, and secondly because they left alot of essential scenes out of the movie. Firstly there was the whole Marauders thing, there wasn't much background on it which really really disappointed me, Hermione got half of Rons lines, and they changed the setting from Hp 1 and 2.
Yes it was a nicer setting and more greenery but since both Hp1 and 2 where filmed in THAT scenery then they should've stuck with the same one but o well!
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11-16-2004, 05:04 PM
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#18 (permalink)
| | Crup
Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Posts: 17,077
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Marcella Riddle
Graduated | Kaplinski Rival Sorting Hat Machine
Quote:
Originally Posted by isawfred1st OMFG WTF?? DVD Town is so immature! That's absolutely horrible!
And duh the movie was rushed...they have a time limit; the books are more detailed and cohesive, obviously. I don't agree with his statement about SS/PS and CoS having 'thin plots' either...the movies couldn't show all of the events that happened in the book. Quote:
As a character study, the movie works well, with Harry having to face his worst fears (Sirius Black); learn who he is (the allusion to his father and the stag); cope with a newfound sexual awareness (hoping his uncle won't catch him playing under the covers with his wand); and deal with people who are "different" (Lupin's outing).
It's not that immature. I mean, boys do do that sort of thing. We never actually see Harry behaving like but it's just a normal, dare I say, a healthy observation of teenage behaviour.
There's no need to be all shocked and horrified by it. There are elements like that in the book, one being the way Harry lusts heavily after Cho. It's all relevant. HP isn't only aimed at kids, it's for teens who might have been through the same thing and felt the same feelings. Believe it or not, it's all normal behaviour so the observation is relevant.
Dare we mutter the words but Harry does have a newfound sexual awareness in PoA, it's where he starts on the road of puberty and starts lusting after Cho Chang. It's all relevant to the books (not the specific scene but the overall feeling and observation) that being the kids grow up and so in turn have newfound feelings, emotions and hormones. Quote:
i'm one of the younger fans on the site you've mentioned (12 years old) and i am not being corrupted! it's not like i'm going to have a seizure due to shock that someone could be like this! come on!!!!
Thanks - you prove the point kids are underestimated. Kids know more than I did when I was a kid and I'm a late teen. Kids can deal with alot more than they used to. Quote:
i know and u know the next movie is destined to be bad because they have to fill harry in with all the marauder stuff he doesnt know about!!!! grrrrr...
Well not really. JK does say something on the PoA DVD (from the clips I've seen) saying something like her and Newell agreed the Marauders would fit better in GoF.
I'm inclined to agree, because PoA was already chocker block with info. Telling that to the audience also might've fallen on deaf ears and most non-book-fans would've forgotten those facts by the time GoF came out. Quote:
they changed the setting from Hp 1 and 2.
Yes, but why? Because Columbus got the setting all wrong! He set the school in flat-grounded no-mountain England- Hogwarts is meant to be Scottish and in PoA was finally placed in it's rightful home. The scenery should've been as it was in PoA for PS & CoS. The need for change is down to Columbus who got it wrong first time around.
Cuaron was the genius who fixed what was wrong. Yes there are fault but they're mostly down to Kloves and the costume department.
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11-16-2004, 05:45 PM
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#19 (permalink)
| | Gnome
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Behind you...
Posts: 318
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Cool! and the Dvd in Italy is coming on the 19th of Nov.
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11-16-2004, 08:06 PM
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#20 (permalink)
| | Fire Slug
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 160
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"That's really all there is to the plot. Sirius comes to Hogwarts, and after a few rousing escapades, the conflict is resolved. Then, it's time to wait for the next movie."
There was so much to the plot it was not only about Sirius. I don't think this guy saw the same film as I did. Hello, the dementors, the time turner, the becoming enraged at his aunt, the complete sense of loss when facing the dementors and remembering his mother's death, the prejiudice against Lupin for being a wearwolf, the first Hogsmead trip where Harry is faced with the fact that one of his parents dearest friends betrayed them and handed them over to Voldemort. The discovery of the map and another dangerous enounter with the Womping Willow. Facing the execution of one of his most beloved teacher's pet then being able to save it along with his condemed godfather. Discovering that he holds a great power within that he didn't realize when saving himself and Sirius from the dementors. And last but not least the fact that said godfather becomes a parent figure of which Harry has never known. Dude must be blind and deaf.
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11-16-2004, 11:29 PM
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#21 (permalink)
| | Fire Slug
Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mexico
Posts: 157
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OMG!! after reading Marcella's post I think she's my hero...it's just the way you wrote and explained it, couldn't done it better myself, its like you took all my thoughts (topic related), organized them and typed them, and you don't even know me!!
I totally agree, you're brilliant and for what I've read you're also younger than me...it kinda makes me feel...stupid, yeap, that's the word.
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11-16-2004, 11:36 PM
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#22 (permalink)
| | Imp
Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In mourning for the recently departed ...
Posts: 474
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Man! I was all excited when I saw the 19th release date ... I thought I'd have the DVD for the weekend. Stupid UK early release ... I have to wait until tuesday!
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11-17-2004, 04:35 AM
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#23 (permalink)
| | Puffskein
Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Liddypool
Posts: 1,162
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Hey, Marcella, when I posted, I was just saying that it was horrible that DVD Town described the scene as they did. We all know that Harry was reading up on spells. I was upset because they made in unecessarily...icky.
Don't get me wrong, I know and accept that hormones are an important part of the HP series. Usually, I don't mind that type of innuendo (if you ask anyone that knows me well, they'd tell you that I..encourage it lol), but they [DVD Town] just had the interpretation completely wrong. I recognized that it was supposed to be amusing, but I didn't find it so. What would non-HP readers think when they read that?
Last edited by isawfred1st; 11-17-2004 at 04:38 AM.
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11-17-2004, 08:09 AM
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#24 (permalink)
| | Streeler
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 203
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how come UK gets it first!?
oh yeah, thanks for the story marcella!
Last edited by hotshirlz; 11-17-2004 at 08:11 AM.
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11-17-2004, 10:34 AM
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#25 (permalink)
| | Crup
Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Posts: 17,077
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Marcella Riddle
Graduated | Kaplinski Rival Sorting Hat Machine
Quote:
Originally Posted by isawfred1st Hey, Marcella, when I posted, I was just saying that it was horrible that DVD Town described the scene as they did. We all know that Harry was reading up on spells. I was upset because they made in unecessarily...icky.
Don't get me wrong, I know and accept that hormones are an important part of the HP series. Usually, I don't mind that type of innuendo (if you ask anyone that knows me well, they'd tell you that I..encourage it lol), but they [DVD Town] just had the interpretation completely wrong. I recognized that it was supposed to be amusing, but I didn't find it so. What would non-HP readers think when they read that? Oh yeah in the context of the exact scene it is a wrong assumption but generally, it is a good observation. I see we agree. Quote:
OMG!! after reading Marcella's post I think she's my hero...it's just the way you wrote and explained it, couldn't done it better myself, its like you took all my thoughts (topic related), organized them and typed them, and you don't even know me!!
I totally agree, you're brilliant and for what I've read you're also younger than me...it kinda makes me feel...stupid, yeap, that's the word.
LOL That brought a smile to my face, you've made my day
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