In Secret

Based on the novel Therese Raquin by Emile Zola and its stage play by Neal Bell, In Secret is the story of a young woman who has an affair with a friend of husband as they conspire to get rid of her husband whom she is forced into marriage by her aunt. Written for the screen and directed by Charlie Stratton, the film is an exploration of a woman trying to fulfill her sexual and emotional desires in an affair as well as the actions that would occur to maintain this affair. Starring Elizabeth Olsen, Oscar Isaac, Tom Felton, Matt Lucas, Shirley Henderson, Mackenzie Crook, and Jessica Lange. In Secret is a riveting and haunting film from Charlie Stratton.

Set in 19th Century France, the film revolves around a young woman who lives with her aunt and her ailing cousin as she is forced to marry the latter upon moving to Paris where she begins an affair with her cousin’s best friend in the city. It’s a film with a simple premise as it play into a woman’s own sexual desires and feeling repressed in her family home but the move to Paris would bring a lot but also trouble when she and her lover decide to kill her cousin/husband. Charlie Stratton’s screenplay does have a straightforward narrative as it play into repression that Therese Raquin (Elizabeth Olsen) is dealing as she was sent to live with her aunt (Jessica Lange) when she was a child and had to share the room with her sickly cousin Camille (Tom Felton).

The move to Paris would mark a change for Therese except that she would be forced to marry Camille for the move to happen as she accepts the decision only to find herself falling for his friend Laurent LeClaire (Oscar Isaac). The affair would fulfill Therese sexually and emotionally but it would also lead to troubles that include the film’s second half where there isn’t just this element of guilt looming but also this air of grief that starts to loom throughout the characters.

Stratton’s direction is straightforward in terms of the compositions that are created as much of the film is shot on location in Belgrade, Serbia and some of the city locations at Budapest, Hungary. While there aren’t a lot of wide shots in the compositions, Stratton would use medium shots and close-ups to play into the drama as well as characters dealing with their environment and situations. Notably in scenes that play into Therese’s attraction with Laurent as they keep their affair a secret while they also conspire in getting rid of Camille though he’s never did anything wrong other than be dependent on due to his ailments. It would add Therese’s own anguish as even though doesn’t like Camille much, she still cares about him and his mother who would succumb to grief in the most extreme way during its third act. Stratton’s direction would create elements of surrealism as well as playing up to this idea of guilt and torment along with the possibility of the actions that Therese and Laurent have committed. Overall, Stratton creates a compelling and eerie film about a woman and her lover trying to maintain an affair by committing a horrible crime.

Cinematographer Florian Hoffmeister does excellent work with the film’s cinematography as it does play into some of the dark colors and low-key lights for some of the interior scenes at night as well as the look of some of the daytime exteriors including the scenes at the forests and rivers. Editors Celia Haining, Leslie Jones, and Paul Tothill does nice work with the editing as it is straightforward with some rhythmic cuts to play into the drama. Production designer Uli Hanisch, with set decorator Michael Fechner and supervising art director Kai Koch, does brilliant work with the look of the shop Therese and her aunt would run as well as the clerk station that Camille and Laurent would work at and the apartment above the shop. Costume designer Pierre-Yves Gayraud does fantastic work with the costumes as it play into the period of mid-19th Century France that includes the gorgeous dresses that Therese wears.

Makeup designer Erika Okvist does amazing work with the sideburns that Laurent sports as well as the oily look of Camille. Visual effects supervisor Robert Pik does terrific work with the visual effects as it largely play into bits of set-dressing as well as a few surreal moments in the film. Sound designer Paul Carter and sound editor Michael Maroussas do superb work with the sound as it play into some of the dramatic moments that goes on at the apartment as well as at some of the film’s locations. The film’s music by Gabriel Yared is wonderful for its orchestral score that ranges from being serene for the romantic scenes to ominous themes for the dramatic and suspenseful moments in the film.

The casting by Katalin Baranyi, Deanna Brigidi, and Elaine Grainger is marvelous as it features some notable small roles from Dimitrjie Bogdanov as the young Camille, Lily Laight as the young Therese, Matt Devere as Therese’s father, John Kavanagh as Inspector Michaud who is a family friend of the Raquins that would later try to investigate matters in the film, Matt Lucas as the inspector’s son Olivier who provides some humor while he along with his wife and father and a friend would play dominoes with the Raquins, and Mackenzie Crook as Grivet as a family friend who is befuddled by the events during the film’s second half. Shirley Henderson is fantastic as Olivier’s wife Suzanne who suspects something is up between Therese and Laurent while becoming concerned for both Therese and Madame Raquin during the film’s third act.

Tom Felton is excellent as Camille as an ailing young man that at times selfish and demanding yet is also someone who wants to impress Therese and be a good man for her despite his many shortcomings as it has Felton play a role of humility. Oscar Isaacs is brilliant as Laurent LeClaire as a childhood friend of Camille who falls for Therese where he begins an affair with her only to bring dark ideas that he would share with Camille only to act out through cruel ways in its aftermath. Jessica Lange is amazing as Madame Raquin as this woman who doesn’t like the idea of being alone where she is a bit cruel but also is understanding as Lange shows her best work in the way she copes with grief but also anger through a sense of physicality as it is a master at work. Finally, there’s Elizabeth Olsen in an incredible performance as Therese Raquin as a young woman who is forced into a marriage with her cousin as she deals with being in a one-sided marriage despite her efforts to make it work while falling for Laurent that fulfills her sexual desires only to later deal with guilt and unhappiness in the aftermath of the actions she and Laurent had committed.

In Secret is a marvelous film from Charlie Stratton that features great performances from Elizabeth Olsen, Oscar Isaac, and Jessica Lange. Along with its gorgeous locations and setting as well as its emphasis on suspense and romantic drama. It’s a film that explore the idea of desire and sexual fulfillment but also what some will do to maintain that desire to great extremes. In the end, In Secret is a remarkable film from Charlie Stratton.

Related: Thirst

© thevoid99 2018

Belle (2013 film)

Directed by Amma Asante and written by Asante and Misan Sagay, Belle is the story of an illegitimate mixed-race girl who is sent by her father to live with her rich relatives as she copes with her identity and what her uncle does while falling for an aspiring lawyer. Inspired by a 1779 painting, the film is a fictionalized story about Dido Elizabeth Belle and the events that she took part in that led to the abolishment of slavery in Britain as she is played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Also starring Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Sarah Gadon, Penelope Wilton, Miranda Richardson, Tom Felton, Matthew Goode, Sam Reid, and James Norton. Belle is an exquisitely rich and ravishing film from Amma Asante.

The film is a fictionalized story about Dido Elizabeth Belle as she is a young woman who is half-black and half-white as her white father asks his relatives to care for her where she would contend with her identity as well as what to do with herself as she falls for an aspiring lawyer. It’s a film that plays into this young woman who has all of the means to advance in upper-class society yet is often confused due to her skin color as well as what her uncle is doing as it relates to a famous trial relating to an incident known as the Zong Massacre. Yet, it’s more about this woman who is trying to understand who she is as she deals with prejudice for who she is as well as cope with what is happening in this trial that is happening.

The film’s screenplay does take a few dramatic liberties as it relates to the trial of Gregson vs. Gilbert yet it is more about Dido’s relationship with her uncle William Murray 1st Earl of Mansfield (Tom Wilkinson) who would take the young Dido in as he cares for her as well as her status. A status in which Dido would inherit money from her late father (Matthew Goode) as well as be given a much larger inheritance from her uncle and aunts. It’s a status that would help Dido as she would get the attention of many suitors but it would create some problems in her relationship with her cousin Elizabeth (Sarah Gadon) who is in need to marry someone who has money or else she would be destitute despite Dido wanting to share her inheritance with her. While there’s a chance for Elizabeth to be married into a rich family when Dido gets engaged to Oliver Ashford (James Norton), Dido still has to contend with Oliver’s bigoted older brother James (Tom Felton) and their scheming mother Lady Ashford (Miranda Richardson).

It is when Dido meets John Davinier (Sam Reid) where she begins to ask questions about not just herself but also what is happening around her as it becomes a key plot-point for the film. Especially as Davinier is a young man who doesn’t come from a rich family as he aspires to change the world through law as he rouses Dido’s view of the world as she thinks about herself and where would she be if her father hadn’t took her out of the slums and into a life of great wealth and love. Yet, Davinier would prove to be a man who doesn’t just see Dido as more than just a woman with mixed-skin but as a woman where the two fall in love though he’s not the kind of person that her uncle wants her to be with because of her rich status as she also has to think about her own family. Still, Murray’s encounter with Davinier and Dido’s own awareness of who she is would come into play into not just the decision of this court case but in also how he sees Dido as more than just family.

Amma Asante’s direction is truly exquisite as it plays into a drama where a young woman deals with her upbringing as well as the role she is destined to play along with her identity. Most notably in the way she creates a period drama that manages to be so much more as well as play into how things were back in the late 18th Century where it is set during a crucial period in British history when slavery was still prevalent. Asante would maintain something that feels quite contemporary while still giving the film a feel that is set in 18th Century as she would bring in some unique wide and medium shots into the film but also some unique close-ups into the film as it relates to Dido’s relationship with Davinier. There’s also a few hand-held camera shots and some tracking shots to play into some of the drama while Asante’s compositions are very entrancing to the way it plays into a world that is changing as well as being sort of disconnected from what is really happening.

The direction is also very intriguing for the way it explores the Zong Massacre and the Gregson vs. Gilbert which plays into Davinier trying to reveal exactly what is at stake. While Murray is a man that has the power to create change, he’s reluctant as he has a lot on his plate about how it would effect Britain but also his own status and his own family. Asante maintains that sense of tension that is in Murray as he also copes with the future of his own nieces as his wife Lady Elizabeth (Emily Watson) and his sister Lady Mary (Penelope Wilton) are trying to ensure that Dido and Elizabeth will marry to good families. The film does climax with not just the trial itself but also the reveal of the famous painting that features both Dido and Elizabeth as it relates to exactly how Murray sees Dido. Overall, Asante creates a very captivating and evocative film about a young woman dealing with her identity as well as knowing what she wants in her life as well as how she sees the world.

Cinematographer Ben Smithard does brilliant work with the film‘s very lush and colorful cinematography for the look of the gardens and exterior in the daytime scenes to the usage of candlelight and other lights to play into some of its nighttime interior and exterior scenes. Editors Pia Di Ciaula and Victoria Boydell do amazing work with the editing as it‘s quite straightforward while also having bits of style in a few montages and some dazzling rhythmic cuts. Production designer Sarah Bowles, with set decorator Tina Jones and supervising art director Ben Smith, does phenomenal work with the set pieces from the homes the characters live in as well as the courthouse and the look of the slums where Dido‘s father found her in the film‘s opening sequence. Costume designer Anushia Nieradzik does fantastic work with the design of the dresses from the way it plays to the personality of the women as well as the clothes that the men wear.

Hair/makeup designer Marese Langan does excellent work with the design of the wigs some of the men wore as well as the hairstyle of the men and women. Visual effects supervisor Henry Badgett and Angela Barson do terrific work with the minimal visual effects scenes that is really more set dressing in a few key scenes. Sound editor Lee Herrick and sound designer Robert Ireland do superb work with the sound from the way shoes sound on floors to some of the scenes at the parties that occur in the film. The film’s music by Rachel Portman is wonderful as it is largely a lush orchestral score that adds to the sense of drama while music supervisor Maggie Rodford bring in a soundtrack that is largely classical pieces from Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.

The casting by Toby Whale is incredible as it features some notable small roles from Bethan Mary-Jones as the black maid Mabel, Lauren Julien-Box as the young Dido, Cara Jenkins as the young Elizabeth, Alex Jennings as James and Oliver’s father, and Matthew Goode in a brief but very touching role as Dido’s father Captain John Lindsay who manages to the most of his brief role. James Norton is terrific as Oliver Ashford as the youngest of the two brothers who likes Dido while Tom Felton is superb as Oliver’s more prejudiced older brother James who detests Dido for being black while proving to be very cruel to Elizabeth. Penelope Wilton is wonderful as Dido and Elizabeth’s aunt Lady Mary as someone who tries to keep both women in check while realizing their fate if both women don’t find men to be in love with. Miranda Richardson is brilliant as Lady Ashford as a woman who doesn’t like Dido very much only to agree to Oliver’s engagement to her out of ensuring that her son will have money.

Sarah Gadon is fantastic as Elizabeth as Dido’s cousin who is like a sister to Dido as she copes with the changes in Dido’s life but also her own future as she tries to find a good husband so she wouldn’t be destitute. Emily Watson is excellent as Lady Elizabeth as Murray’s wife who is considered the conscious of the film as she tries to ensure the futures for both Dido and Elizabeth while trying to make sense of the decision that her husband is going to make in this court case. Sam Reid is amazing as John Davinier as a reverend’s son who aspires to be a lawyer and makes change as he has this presence that is very engaging as someone that displays some humility as he is intrigued by Dido where he would eventually fall for her.

Tom Wilkinson is phenomenal as William Murray as a man who reluctantly takes Dido in only to care for her as if she was his daughter as he copes with everything he’s trying to do for her as well as being involved in a case that involves blacks which affects the decision he would make. Finally, there’s Gugu Mbatha-Raw in an absolutely tremendous performance as Dido Elizabeth Belle as this young woman who is coping with her identity and place in the world while realizing the complications of the real world as it relates to her race as well as what is expected from her as a woman as it’s a very radiant and powerful performance.

Belle is a remarkable film Amma Asante that features an incredible performance from Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Along with a strong supporting cast as well as an engaging story that features some insightful historical elements. It’s a film that manages to be more than a period piece and a character study as it is also a film that features characters coping with changes as well as uncertainty in their idyllic and safe environment. In the end, Belle is a sensational film from Amma Asante.

© thevoid99 2015

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Directed by Rupert Wyatt and written by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an origin story of how a scientist took care of an ape named Caesar and was then forced to be taken by cruel caretakers leading to a revolt with help from other apes. Based on the original Planet of the Apes novel by Pierre Boulle, the film explores Caesar’s development from a normal ape into a leader. Starring James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, David Oyelowo, and Andy Serkis as Caesar. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an exciting and thrilling film from Rupert Wyatt.

In hopes to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, scientist Will Rodham (James Franco) believes that he’s made a breakthrough from an ape he had been experimenting on. After telling his boss Steven Jacobs (David Oyelowo) about his breakthrough, Will presents it to a board which becomes a disaster after the ape he experimented has broke out of her cell due to a misunderstanding. With Jacobs deciding to have the apes killed, Will learns through fellow scientist Franklin (Tyler Labine) about a baby ape that Will’s ape was trying to protect. Will takes the baby home where they would live with Will’s father Charles (John Lithgow) who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Amazed by the ape’s growing intelligence, Will calls the ape Caesar as he believes that Caesar is the key to the cure he’s searching for to help his father. After meeting primatologist Caroline (Freida Pinto) to help treat an injury for Caesar, she becomes part of the family where Charles’ condition seems to improve for a few years. Yet, Caesar starts to feel like he’s treated like a pet as Will reveals the truth about his background and why he took him in. When Charles starts to fall ill due to dementia, an incident involving Charles and a neighbor (David Hewlett) has Caesar fighting the neighbor to protect Charles. Due to the incident, authorities force Will and Caroline to put Caesar to an animal shelter that is run by the cruel John Landon (Brian Cox) and his vicious son Dodge (Tom Felton).

While Will reluctantly returns to work to find a cure only to feel compromised by Jacobs over the testing of apes. Back at the shelter, Caesar is befriended by fellow apes including a circus orangutan named Maurice (Karin Konoval), Rocket (Terry Notary), and a big gorilla named Buck (Richard Ridings) as they organize a revolt. When Will learns that Jacobs’ new version of the drug is flawed and fatal to humans, he quits as he tries to get Caesar back. Instead, Caesar chooses to stay as he briefly leaves the shelter to help find ways to make his fellow apes smarter as they lead an attack on the Landons and those that oppose them to Will’s horror.

The film is an origin story with a lot of references to the 1968 film which included the famous line “Get your hands off me you damn dirty ape”. Yet, it does create a lot of ideas of how the Earth was taken over by the apes as well as more ideas over what happened to the humans. Still, it’s a film about a man’s relationship with this little chimpanzee he would call Caesar and how he would shape this chimpanzee’s outlook on life and later play part in his revolt against humanity. Though the Will Rodham character is a flawed man that just wants to save his father’s life, he does care for Caesar and treats him more than just an animal. The script that Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver works in creating that relationship arc and basing the ideas for what would come in the stories that are previously told though there are flaws in the script. The Caroline character is sort of a one-dimensional figure who just plays the girlfriend while antagonists like the Landons don’t have much to do other than be mean to Caesar.

Rupert Wyatt’s direction is quite extraordinary with its presentation as he does more than just make a typical summer blockbuster action film that is loaded with CGI-effects. Since the apes are performed by actors in motion-capture visual effects, it adds a certain realness to the way the apes are presented not just physically but emotionally. Notably in their interactions to humans and some of the big action sequences in its third act. Wyatt does create some amazing tracking shots for some of the cage hallways in the shelter along with wonderful steadicam camera shots for some of Caesar’s movements around Will’s home. Overall, Wyatt creates a truly exhilarating and fun action film with a bit of drama and lots of energy.

Cinematographer Andrew Lesnie does an excellent job with the film‘s stylish cinematography from the naturalistic, lush look of the redwood forest scenes at Muir Woods National Monument along with darker lighting schemes for some of the nighttime interiors at the shelter. Editors Conrad Buff IV and Mark Goldblatt is pretty good for the fast-paced rhythm of the action scenes while utilizing montages for some of Caesar‘s growing development and slower cuts for the dramatic moments. Production designer Claude Pare, with set decorator Elizabeth Wilcox and supervising art director Helen Jarvis, does incredible work with the set pieces from Caesar’s room in Will’s home along with the building Will works at and the play room at the shelter where Caesar leads his revolt.

Costume designer Renee April does nice work in the costumes as the close are mostly casual including a red shirt worn by Caesar. Visual effects supervisors Dan Lemmon and Erik Winquist do a spectacular job with the visual effects for the way the apes look along with some of the action sequences that happen as it is truly the film‘s highlight in terms of its technical field. Sound designer Chuck Michael and sound editor John A. Larsen do some fantastic work in the sound work from the stark yet hollow world of the shelter to the more raucous bombast of the action scenes that occur in the film. The film’s score by Patrick Doyle is superb for playing up to the bombast with loud percussions and soaring string arrangements while going for a more low-key approach in the dramatic portions of the film.

The casting by Debra Zane is remarkable for the ensemble that is created as it features notable small roles from Tyler Labine as Will’s lab friend Franklin, Jamie Harris as a shelter caretaker, and David Hewlett as Will’s hot-headed neighbor Hunsiker. Brian Cox is very good as the slimy animal shelter head John Landon while Tom Felton is also good, despite being one-dimensional, as the crueler Dodge Landon. David Oyelowo is stellar as Will’s boss Jacobs who becomes consumed with greed as he uses Will for his own financial gain. Freida Pinto is decent as the very caring Caroline although she doesn’t get much to do than just be the supportive girlfriend. John Lithgow is excellent as Will’s ailing father Charles who becomes fond of Caesar while dealing with his own disease.

James Franco gives a terrific performance as Will Rodham by displaying a man that just wants to help his father while forming his own bond with Caesar as he tries to help the chimpanzee in his ordeal. The performances by Karin Konoval, Richard Ridings, Christopher Gordon, and Terry Notary as the apes Caesar befriend are superb for the physicality and emotional expressions they give to those apes making them more than just CGI-creations. Yet, the best work in that field as well as the best performance in the film is Andy Serkis as Caesar. In the way he expresses the varied emotions as well as Caesar’s physicality, Serkis does something that goes beyond the parameters of what a motion-capture performance can do. Notably as Serkis gets Caesar to speak a few words in the film’s climatic revolt to exemplify Caesar’s growth in intelligence as it’s definitely a performance like no other.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a marvelous and entertaining action-blockbuster film from Rupert Wyatt that features an outstanding performance from Andy Serkis. This is a film that gives the Planet of the Apes franchise a much-needed boost after being away from theaters for so long as well as very misguided remake back in 2001. For fans of action-blockbusters, this film is among one of the best that offers more than just entertainment. In the end, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an engaging yet pleasurable film from Rupert Wyatt.

Related: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - War for the Planet of the Apes

© thevoid99 2012

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince (film)

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 7/19/09 w/ Additional Edits.

The summer of 2007 marked the release of the final Harry Potter novel Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows in which Harry Potter battled Lord Voldemort to the death. While the novels marked an end of an era with J.K. Rowling moving on to different projects. The successful film franchise that had already spawned five successful films are ready to complete the last two books into films. With the last film set to be a two-part film released in separate years much to mixed reactions from fans of the novel. The long-awaited sixth film for Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince after a year of delay is finally released.

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince tells the story of Harry Potter exploring the background of Lord Voldemort with help from Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Asking an old teacher to return to Hogwarts in order to retrieve a memory, Potter and Dumbledore discover the secret into destroying Voldemort. Meanwhile, Harry becomes attracted to Ginny Weasley, the sister of his best friend Ron while Ron falls for Lavender Brown which upsets Hermione Granger. Harry also discovers a book that belongs to someone known as the Half-Blood Prince while learning that Draco Malfoy has become a Death Eater.

Directed by David Yates, who previously directed the last film, and an adapted screenplay by Steve Kloves. The film explores Harry Potter discovering what it takes to destroy Voldemort while being aware of the chaos that is going on as Voldemort is wreaking havoc onto the wizarding world and at Muggles. Featuring such regular players like Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Bonnie Wright, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, James & Oliver Phelps, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Natalia Tena, David Thewlis, Mark Williams, Julie Walters, and Timothy Spall plus new franchise players in Jessie Cave, Jim Broadbent, Helen McCrory, and in the dual roles of the young Tom Riddle, Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane. Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince is an excellent, funny, and haunting film from David Yates.

Chaos is brewing over London in both the wizarding world and with Muggles. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) meanwhile is joined by Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) to convince an old colleague named Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) to return to Hogwarts. After Harry convinces Slughorn to return, Harry is taken to the Burrow to stay with the Weasleys for the remainder of the summer. Joined Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), the trio are in Diagon Alley to check out Fred & George Weasley's (James & Oliver Phelps) new joke-shop where they find Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton)  going into the dark magic street of Knockturn Alley. The trio catches Malfoy with Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bohnam Carter) and notorious werewolf Fenrir Greyback (Dave Legeno) at Borgin & Burkes.

Harry immediately suspects that Draco is now a Death Eater though Ron and Hermione don't believe it. After an attempt to see what Malfoy is up to backfires leaving Harry immobilized until he is saved by Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch). With the news that Slughorn is the new potions master and Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, much to Harry's dismay. Harry, believing that his OWL grade for potions wasn't good enough takes the course since Slughorn is the new teacher as he received an old copy of a potions book that belonged to the Half-Blood Prince. Now a potions virtuoso, Harry keeps the old copy though Hermione and Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) are suspicious. A class session with Dumbledore about Voldemort's background which includes Dumbledore's first meeting with a young Tom Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin) through Dumbledore's memories. Dumbledore reveals why he wants Slughorn back at Hogwarts to retrieve a memory about meeting with Slughorn and Riddle.

Things become troubling when a student falls ill to a curse making Harry more suspicious of Malfoy. At the same time, he finds himself becoming attracted to Ginny though she is dating one of his classmates in Dean Thomas (Alfred Enoch). With Harry attending Slughorn's parties with Hermione, Ginny, and Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), Harry hopes to get some information from Slughorn about Voldemort. Yet, he's troubled by some love problems involving Ron and Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave) that's making Hermione jealous. At another party at Slughorn's, Hermione went with Cormac McLaggen (Freddie Storma) to her own regret while Harry accompanied Luna where he learned that Snape made an unbreakable vow with Draco's mother (Helen McCrory) to protect him in his mission.

After telling Remus Lupin (David Thewlis), Nymphadora Tonks (Natalia Tena), and Arthur Weasley (Mark Williams) during the holidays about what he heard. Lupin isn't so sure though Arthur reveals things about a vanishing cabinet at Borgin & Burkes. An attack at the Burrow and on the Weasley family led by Bellatrix and Greyback had the Weasley home destroyed though everyone survived. Back at Hogwarts, Harry's attempts to get information from Slughorn fails until Ron gets hit with a love potion where he turned to Slughorn for help. It worked but Ron got poisoned by a bottle that was supposed to be given to Dumbledore. Harry's suspicions on Draco increase leaving Draco overwhelmed in his mission while Harry finally uncovered the memory that he and Dumbledore needed from Slughorn. What was revealed was how Voldemort survived the killing curse and what he's done to achieve immortality.

The plot of Half-Blood Prince is about Harry Potter discovering about Lord Voldemort's background and how achieved immortality. While that was the main story, it's balanced by two other subplots. One involving the messy love affairs and attraction for the main characters along with Harry falling for Ginny Weasley. The second is Draco Malfoy's struggle to carry on his mission to kill Dumbledore under the orders of Lord Voldemort. While those two subplots are handled quite well. The story about Voldemort and his background doesn't cover as much information as it would be revealed. Especially in the discovery of the object known as a Horcrux. In the book, five of them were revealed where two of them being Tom Riddle's diary and a ring were already destroyed. The third object was a locket but not much information was revealing about the locket along with the Horcruxes that Harry and Dumbledore needed to find.

While Steve Kloves' screenplay is well written and well-condensed in what is needed to be told. There's even little details that do get some attention, notably the big scene near the end involving Dumbledore that serves as an important purpose to the plot of the entire Harry Potter story. Yet, with a lot of adaptations, not everything is perfect but that's understandable. What was missing is some of the things involving Voldemort's family background which was crucial to the objects that he created as Horcruxes. The dark tone of the story does get balanced by some light-hearted moments and scenes that recall a return of sorts to the early films that were directed by Chris Columbus and Prisoner of Azkaban by Alfonso Cuaron.

Even in the scenes involving the romantic troubles with Ron-Hermione-Lavender where clearly, it was used as comic relief in some parts but reveals the long-standing feelings between Ron and Hermione. For Harry, with him being the so-called Chosen One much to his annoyance does get attention from girls but is more focused on other things. One of those things turn out to be Ginny, whom he had known for so long and she had a crush on him since the first day she met him. Now that she has a boyfriend, Harry becomes more attracted to her though he doesn't want to upset Ron. Then there's story involving Draco Malfoy where the character, who had started out as a bully now becomes a full-fledge character. There, Malfoy struggles to carry his mission but behind it shows someone scared and having trouble dealing with the fact that his family name is shamed while he has to carry out a mission or else Voldemort kills him.

Malfoy's struggles would include the involvement of Severus Snape where the film early on includes a scene where he meets Bellatrix and Narcissa Malfoy to make the Unbreakable Vow. Snape becomes more complex than ever as to who is he really working for as his attempts to help Draco cause some resentments from Draco's part while becoming more and more frustrated with Dumbledore. What would be revealed near the end wouldn't just shape the story but add an aura of mystery. After this huge moment, the film ends in an anti-climatic way revolving the aftermath of what just happened. Yet, it reveals what had just happened and what to do next.

Kloves' screenplay does work in helping to advance the plot of the film that would lead to the final story in The Deathly Hallows. Yates' direction is solid throughout, notably the opening scene involving the chaos in London as it opens the film with a bang. Even as the scene reveals the Death Eaters capturing a major character of the Harry Potter story. The direction for the most part is a mixture of broad, light-hearted humor that is balanced dark, dramatic sequences, and high-octane special effects scenes. Even as the film feature some hand-held camera moments for the chase scenes at the Burrow, the duels and such. Yet, there's one scene which involves violence that definitely is a little gruesome for the PG rating along with some of the dark tone of the film. Clearly, it's a PG-13 film as the MPAA has no idea how to rate a film.

While Yates makes a lot of good decision in the scenes involving humor and action, a few decisions in the directing don't work. Notably the big scene involving Dumbledore where originally, it had Harry unable to do anything because he's immobilized. In the film, he could've done something but he's forced to watch instead. That was something that doesn't really work. Still, Yates does manage to create something that is engaging without delving into huge moments of effects and such. With its balance of humor, action, drama, suspense, and character study, Yates creates a film that isn't just faithful to the novel but also a film that takes its time without rushing into things.

Cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel does some great work with the film's look as it is awash with sepia-style colors for some of the film's daytime, sunny scenes in both interior and exterior scenes. Even in darker scenes like the Burrow ambush, the attack of Hogwarts, and the London attack are done with great colors mixed in with a dark look to play up to the film's tone. The flashback scenes with memory are a mixture of light green and gray for its eerie tone. Delbonnel's work is phenomenal in conveying the look of the film in its wide range of tones. Editor Mark Day does excellent work in making the 150-minute film move a bit fast but not too fast. With some nice cuts that plays to a rhythm as well as capturing the intensity of the Quidditch sequence and action scenes.

Production designer Stuart Craig with set decorator Stephanie McMillan does excellent work in creating the looks of Diagon Alley as its decayed along with Weasley Wizard Wheezes shop that includes a little toy involving one of the antagonists in the last film. The design of the Burrow and the mysterious Room of Requirement has great set pieces in its decoration and design. The costume design by Jany Temime is excellent in its mixture of the uniforms and contemporary clothing the young actors wear while the look of Narcissa Malfoy is great for its regal look while the clothes of Slughorn is excellent to display his personality as a man wanting to be linked with greatness. The visual effects are top-notch in the action sequences along with the look of plants and things revolving around the wizarding world and Hogwarts. The opening sequence of the destruction of the Millennium Bridge in London is an effects scene that is phenomenal.

The sound work by editor James Mather is very good for the action scenes, little effects pieces, and the Quidditch sequence. The music score by Nicholas Hooper which revolves around some of the themes by John Williams in previous films plays well to the film's mix of emotions with soaring arrangements for the more heightened, intense action scenes and playful melodies for the light-hearted humorous sequences.

The casting by Fiona Weir is wonderfully assembled with appearances from previous regulars like Alfred Enoch as Dean Thomas, Devon Murray as Seamus Finnigan, David Bradley as Argus Filch, Warwick Davis as Professor Flitwick, Gemma Jones as Madam Pomfrey, Jamie Waylett as Vincent Crabbe, Josh Herdman as Gregory Goyle, William Melling as Nigel, Afshan Azad as Padma Patil, Shefali Chowdhury as Pavarti Patil, Timothy Spall in a brief scene as Wormtail, and Katie Leung as Harry's ex-girlfriend Cho Chang seen in a few background scenes. Other small roles that were played by previous actors that are now portrayed by new actors are Georgina Leonidas as Katie Bell and Scarlett Byrne as Pansy Parkinson. New to the story with some memorable appearances include Anna Shaffer as Romilda Vane, Dave Legeno as Fenrir Greyback, Robert Knox as Marcus Belby, Louis Cordice as Blaise Zabini, Amber & Ruby Evans as twins at Slughorn's parties, and as a waitress Harry meets in early scene, Elarica Gallagher.

Notable big characters who don't get much to do are Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom where Lewis only gets to have a few lines as he's really wasted while David Thewlis and Natalia Tena are good though only appear in one big scene as Lupin and Tonks. Mark Williams gets a bit more to do as Arthur Weasley while Julie Walters is still wonderful as Molly Weasley. James & Oliver Phelps are good as Fred & George Weasley while Evanna Lynch continues to be a great scene-stealer in several moments as Luna Lovegood. Maggie Smith is very good as Professor McGonagall with some funny lines while Robbie Coltrane gets to have some good moments as Rubeus Hagrid that involves a great scene with Jim Broadbent. In the roles of the young Tom Riddle, Ralph Fiennes' real-life nephew Hero Fiennes-Tiffin is wonderfully creepy as the 11-year old Tom Riddle while Frank Dillane is charming yet slithery as the 16-year old Riddle.

Freddie Storma makes a fine impression as Cormac McLaggen, a smug Quidditch goal keeper who has his eyes on Hermione only to fall for one of Harry's pranks. Jessie Cave is hilarious as Lavender Brown with her love declarations for Ron that is almost scary but not as funny as the name she gave Ron, Won-Won. Bonnie Wright is very good as Ginny Weasley, the girl who would become Harry's new object of desire as she becomes someone who can ground him while trying to deal with her feelings for him as well. Helen McCrory is pretty good in her brief scene as Narcissa Malfoy who comes to Snape for help though isn't sure that Draco is up to the task for the mission he's chosen. Helena Bohnam Carter is great as Bellatrix Lestrange, the crazed witch who is willing to go onto the attack for Voldemort as she is a loose cannon who is just fun to watch.

New to the franchise is Jim Broadbent who is amazing as Horace Slughorn, a charming professor who likes to collect students who he believes have great talent and stories they can share. Most of all, Harry whom he befriends while carrying a dark secret that he is trying to hide. Alan Rickman is phenomenal as Severus Snape where he brings a low-key, dark quality to the character whose loyalties are questionable while dealing with Draco Malfoy's problems with the mission. Tom Felton delivers what is truly the best performance of the film as Draco Malfoy. Felton truly sells the despair, anxiety, and angst of the young bully who is overwhelmed with what he's trying to do as he is forced to face the fact that if he doesn't do it, he and his family will die. Felton's performance really shows how the actor took the character and made it into something more real and complex.

Michael Gambon is excellent as Albus Dumbledore in providing a nice mix of humor with a bit of camp while playing the wise wizard who is providing Harry information of how to destroy Voldemort. Rupert Grint is really good as Ron Weasley in providing some funny moments when he's lovesick while showing his insecurities as a Quidditch player and his stupidity when it comes to girls. Emma Watson is also good as Hermione Granger as the intelligent bookworm comes to terms with her feelings for Ron while trying to help Harry in divulging the mystery of what is happening. Daniel Radcliffe is solid as Harry Potter in providing the complex struggles of a young man coming to terms with his role and losses while realizing what is up ahead. Radcliffe really sells Potter's complexity while dealing with his own feelings towards Ginny as he and Hermione become closer as if they were siblings. Radcliffe's scenes with Gambon and Broadbent shows that he is still growing as an actor and proving he can act with them.

Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince is an excellent, well-made, smart and witty film from David Yates and company featuring some standout performances from Jim Broadbent and most of all, Tom Felton. Fans of the franchise will be amazed at how well-told the story is while fans of the books will be relieved in its faithfulness and approach despite some flaws. While the next film will be two films instead of one, which isn't a popular idea with some. It's clear that the Harry Potter franchise hasn't lost its touch while continuing to provide audiences with lots of entertaining moments before it would go to the ultra-dark, sprawling tone of the final book. In the end, Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince is a solid yet well-made film for the franchise.

Harry Potter Reviews: The Novels: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire - Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

The Films: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire - Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

Related: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

© thevoid99 2010

Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban (film)

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 6/5/04 w/ Additional Edits.

When British novelist J.K. Rowling became a huge success with her children's story on the boy-wizard Harry Potter, Warner Brothers knew that a film franchise was born. After consulting with Rowling to turn her books into movies, Warner Brothers finally got a franchise that is likely to be successful. With family film director Chris Columbus on board along with an elite group of Britain's finest actors and young newcomers including Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role as the Boy Who Lived. In 2001, the first film Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone opened to huge box office success, as did its sequel, Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets the following year, both released on the holidays. While both films grossed huge amount of box office receipts and won some acclaim from critics and fans of the books, many wondered how will the next film for The Prisoner of Azkaban will be presented.

While Chris Columbus did a fine job with the first two films, some felt he was too faithful to the first two books and didn't do enough to make them standout as films. With the fifth book Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix looming for a June 2003 release, Columbus felt tired and didn't want to direct the third film leaving only to stay on his role as producer. Immediately, Warner Brothers scrambled on not just expanding the franchise's cast while finding a replacement for the late Richard Harris as Dumbledore, but also finding a new director.

J.K. Rowling made a radical suggestion in choosing the controversial but acclaimed Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron. Cuaron, whose previous credits had included 1991's Solo con Tu Pareja, 1995's A Little Princess, and the 1998 modern adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectation, was indeed a controversial choice his 2001 masterpiece Y Tu Mama Tambien was a raunchy, extreme sex film that pushed the limits of sexual content. Rowling chose Cuaron not for that film but more for A Little Princess because of his visual style and his approach to filmmaking. Cuaron at first wasn't sure if he wanted to do it but after reading the screenplay by Steve Kloves (who also wrote the scripts for the first two films), Cuaron joined the franchise.

Whereas the previous two films really were used to introduce Harry Potter, his classmates, teachers, and his cruel family, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban is where the Harry Potter story really begins. After thwarting his parents' murderer Lord Voldemort twice in the first two, Harry Potter becomes a teenager and is forced to new challenges and emotions. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry returns to the wizard school of Hogwarts where he is placed under guard by soul-sucking hooded creatures called dementors where a convict named Sirius Black has escaped the treacherous Azkaban prison and is rumored to come after Harry Potter. Amidst the guarded school, Harry learns more about his parents and Black along with his own powers while growing up with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Directed by Cuaron with the adapted screenplay by Steve Kloves, the film was considered to be the most radical of the franchise. Where Columbus is more of an entertaining storyteller, Cuaron is more of the auteur who wants to make changes.  Challenge actors and recreate sets to give a more livelier feel to the world of Harry Potter and separate itself from the books.  With the young cast of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Tom Felton returning along with veterans like Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Maggie Smith, David Bradley, Robert Hardy, Ron Griffiths, and Fiona Shaw from the previous films. Joining the franchise for the new film are Gary Oldman, Pam Ferris, David Thewlis, Dawn French, Timothy Spall, Emma Thompson, Julie Christie, and Michael Gambon replacing the late Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore. The resulting film isn't just the best film of the series but clearly raises the bar for the films ahead in the years to come.

For Harry Potter, summer has never been a fine time since he's forced to live at home with his Muggle relatives the Dursleys. This year, it gets worse when his Uncle Vernon (Richard Griffiths) invited his sister Marge (Pam Ferris) to stay for a week with Harry's Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) and cousin Dudley (Harry Melling). Marge loves to criticize Harry and his behavior is at a crucial point since he needed a permission slip from school to be signed by his uncle.  Unfortunately, Marge's comments on Harry's parents pushed him too far where he had her blown up into a balloon and he leaves the Dursley home immediately. Knowing that he wasn't supposed to do magic outside of his school Hogwarts, he was ready to make his escape till he came across a huge dog. The dog disappeared when the Knight Bus arrived to pick him up where he read the Daily Prophet about a convicted murder named Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped Azkaban prison.

Upon his arrival at the Leaky Cauldron, the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy) tells him that Harry won't be in trouble since he is supposed to be watched. The next day, Harry sees his friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) arguing over her new cat Crookshanks who had been going after his rat Scabbers. Harry meets the rest of the Weasley clan that included little sister Ginny (Bonnie Wright), elder brother/new Head Boy Percy (Chris Rankin), mischevious twins Fred & George (James & Oliver Phelps), mother Molly (Julie Walters) and father Arthur (Mark Williams) who tells Harry about Sirius Black's escape, who is supposedly coming after Harry in order to resurrect the ailing Lord Voldemort.

Harry and the gang leave on the train to Hogwarts where they sit in an empty compartment with a sleeping man who turns out to be their new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Remus Lupin (David Thewlis). On the way to Hogwarts, the train stops where everything begins to freeze and Harry comes across a black-hooded creature called a dementor, that was sucking the soul out of Harry. Lupin stops it and upon their arrival, Harry and his classmates learn that the school's headmaster Professor Dumbledore isn't happy with the dementors while announcing the new arrivals of Lupin and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) taking over as the new teacher for Care of Magical Creatures.  Hagrid's first class starts off well until Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) starts to get himself injured after insulting a hippogriff named Buckbeak.  Yet, Harry had other problems when he and classmates attended their first Divinations class with Professor Trelawney (Emma Thompson who believes that Harry has a death omen around him.

With the news of Sirius Black's sightings looming all over Hogwarts, Harry and his classmates go to their first Dark Arts lesson with Lupin.  Lupin teaches the students how to repel boggarts, a manifestation of things people fear. For Harry's classmate Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), his greatest fear was Potions master Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) in which, Neville made boggart Snape dress up like his grandmother with many other students conquering their fears but Harry didn't get his chance to fight one as Lupin feared that it would manifest into Lord Voldemort.  Harry befriends Lupin, who knew Harry's parents as he used to go to school with them which brings comfort to Harry.  Even as he was unable to visit the Hogsmeade village because he never got his permission slip signed.

During a fest, a break-in occurred when the Fat Lady (Dawn French) painting was in shreds where Dumbledore and caretaker Filch (David Bradley) learned that Sirius Black was in the castle. The students were forced to sleep in the Great Hall where Snape suspects that someone in the school brought Black into the castle.  Snape takes over for an ailing Lupin where he gives them a lesson about werewolves.  Yet, Harry has bigger problems during his Quidditch match where Dementors flew around him making Dumbledore extremely upset that they were on Hogwarts grounds.  Lupin decides to teach Harry how to battle Dementors as he is still weary from his illness.  With Harry desperate to go to Hogsmeade, Fred and George give Harry the Marauder's Map.  A secret map of Hogwarts that includes secret passages to various place including Hogsmeade.  During his secret visit, he meets with Ron and Hermione while listening to a secret conversation from Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Madam Rosmerta (Julie Christie), and Fudge about Sirius Black as he was revealed to be Harry's godfather.  For Harry, it is heartbreaking news as he vows to confront Black.

With Harry learning how to defend himself against Dementors from Lupin, Harry also tries to ease the tension between Ron and Hermione over Scabbers' sudden disappearance.  When they heard that Buckbeak is to be killed over what happened to Draco, the trio are unsure what to do.  Then one night when Harry is checking the map for another sighting of Black, he suddenly sees a dot for a man named Peter Pettigrew.  A man who was also a friend of the Potters who was supposedly killed by Black along with 12 other people with a single curse.  Harry would find a link about Pettigrew as he finally confronts Black where some truths are uncovered about what really happened as Snape and Lupin would be involved with the confrontation.

While most film adaptations of books tend to have flaws and omit certain scenes in order to tighten story. The Prisoner of Azkaban clearly has a tighter and more complex story despite its flaws in the script.  While fans of the book will be upset over what was cut in the story along with back story on objects, such as the Marauder's Map.  Screenwriter Steve Kloves creates a more streamlined approach to the story in focusing on Harry, his friendship, and his newfound friendship to Professor Lupin over his connection with Harry's late parents.  Kloves also makes changes to some of the setting and characterization.  Notably Dumbledore, who was once this more restrained, regal kind of a character as he's changed into a more eccentric individual.

While Kloves deserves credit for tightening the story into script, the real credit for the film's brilliance clearly goes to Alfonso Cuaron. While Chris Columbus has a  directing style that is more safe and goes by-the-book. Cuaron is a more of a stylistic director who works from a much broader canvas.  Some have criticized Columbus for being a bit glossy but with Cuaron, he brings all of the arty elements of his previous films and puts into a mainstream family film where it achieves not just for a mass audience but also serious art film fans.  Cuaron's use of wide-camera angle shots, close-ups, and some hand-held camera work really shows Cuaron taking on a different approach to the filmmaking than other directors of the series would've done.  On directing the actors, there's definitely a more relaxed tone where the actors start to come into their own and give a bit of their personalities.  The result isn't just a mesmerizing film that is entertaining and engaging but also shows what can be to a family film with elements of fantasy while broadening to appeal to more serious filmgoers.  Even as the film opens with a veiled adult joke about Harry playing with his wand.

If Cuaron's wandering, abstract directing style gives the film an edge that raises the bar for the franchise. Helping him on the visual department is cinematographer Michael Seresin (noted for his work with Alan Parker) who really steps up to the plate with his bleak, colorful photography. While previous cinematographers like John Seale and Roger Pratt have done fine work, Seresin really aims for a darker look to the film with help from production designer Stuart Craig who gives Hogwarts a bigger look with its clock tower and bridge.

Plus, the art direction by Alan Gilmore is stepped a notch for giving Hogwarts and Hogsmeade a more contemporary look with a tone that kids could relate to. Even the costume design by Jany Temime is given new life where the school kids and even Professor Lupin and Dumbledore are given looser clothing that shows the new freedom the film has. Helping Cuaron and Seresin on the visual effects were supervisors Tim Burke and Steve Hamilton that really give the effects a livelier look with some fun and scary moments. Notably the look of the dementors that really lived up to its imagination for readers along with the Monster Book of Monsters and the creature of Buckbeak.  Even the film score by John Williams is given new dimension not just adding a playful look to the film but also intensify in the action scenes while dabbles in melancholia in the more emotionally-driven scenes.

Then there's the film's amazing cast of elite actors where some greats like Julie Walters, Richard Griffiths, Mark Williams Fiona Shaw, Timothy Spall, David Bradley, and Julie Christie are well used in their small roles. Even the smaller performances of its younger actors like Matthew Lewis, and the Phelps twins were fun to watch while Maggie Smith and Robert Hardy were given time to deliver masterful performances in their respective roles. Pam Ferris' small screen time as Aunt Marge is hilarious to watch while Absolutely Fabulous TV-star Dawn French brings some humor as the Fat Lady with a funny opera scene.

While it's obvious that the regality that the late Richard Harris left for Dumbledore will never be replaced, Michael Gambon makes up that loss by being a more mischievous and off-the-wall to Dumbledore where he's both funny and carries a prestige presence. Alan Rickman continues to be amazing as Professor Snape with his sneering look towards Harry while we get to know him more and his hatred towards Harry's father. Robbie Coltrane also shines in the role of Hagrid where he brings a likeability and charm to his role while we root for him when Buckbeak is in trouble. Tom Felton also shines as Draco Malfoy where we finally see him gets what he deserves when Hermione clearly had enough.

Of the new actors added to the franchise, David Thewlis is amazing as Professor Lupin. He brings a compassionate, complex performance as a teacher who is loved by most students while in his scenes with Daniel Radcliffe, brings a mentor-like tone to his role while holding a dark secret. While Gary Oldman is only seen in pictures early in the film till we finally see him in the final act, Oldman brings another classic performance as the troubled Sirius Black. Known for playing villains and Sid Vicious to film fans, Oldman brings an eerie presence to the franchise and a provocative nature that is wonderful to watch. Emma Thompson is clearly the film's most hilarious performance as Professor Trelawney. Thompson, mostly known for period and drama films, returns to her roots as a comedic actress by bringing an over-the-top performance that is clearly gets funnier every time she makes a prediction.

Rupert Grint, who always served as the comic backbone for the character of Ron really gets to shine more dramatically while his comedic skills of sarcasm are heightened to perfect timing. Emma Watson really shines as Hermione by being a bit looser and more rebellious while using her brains to get Harry and Ron out of situations while finally standing up to Malfoy. Grint and Watson even have a strange but fun chemistry that is enjoyable to watch as they develop this love/hate relationship. Daniel Radcliffe clearly delivers his best performance to date in the title role of Harry Potter. We see him at first feeling a bit confident until the dementors arrive and we even root for him when he wants to fight them. Radcliffe delivers his best performance in the more emotionally intense scenes and clearly steps up to the plate when acting with the likes of Oldman, Thewlis, Rickman, Gambon, and Smith.

While it may not live up to the complexity of the book, Alfonso Cuaron's adaptation of Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban is clearly the best film of the Harry Potter franchise, so far. With a great cast, look, tone, story, score, and format, Cuaron raises the bar of what could be done for a fantasy film that appeals to young audiences.  Fans of the Potter books and films will indeed find The Prisoner of Azkaban the best film of the series and truly lives up to the book's spirit while fans of Alfonso Cuaron will be pleased with the way he handled himself in a mainstream franchise. If there's one blockbuster film that will satisfy blockbuster moviegoers and more cinematic filmgoers, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban is the film to see

Alfonso Cuaron Files: Solo Con tu Pareja - A Little Princess (1995 film) - Great Expectations (1998 film) - Y Tu Mama Tambien - Children of Men - Gravity - Roma (2018 film) - The Auteurs #11: Alfonso Cuaron

Harry Potter Reviews:  The Novels: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire - Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

The Films: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets - Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire - Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

Related: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

© thevoid99 2010

Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone (Film)

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 2/3/03 w/ Additional Content

Since the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling arrived in 1997, the story of a young orphaned boy who becomes a wizard became a worldwide phenomenon as books like Harry Potte & the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire broke sales records and topped several book lists for endless months as literary critics began to compare Rowling to such greats as Roald Dahl and several other children’s novelists for their freewheeling imagination while at the same time, Rowling attained the respect from several novelists including horror king Stephen King who wrote an exhilarating positive review on The Goblet of Fire for the New York Times. The phenomenon concerning Harry Potter brought the attention of Hollywood producers who easily knew that a successful film franchise could be made around the Harry Potter phenomenon.

While it was a good idea, J.K. Rowling was very cautious about her stories be turned into big, Hollywood blockbusters, especially since the producers wanted top Hollywood film stars and filmmakers to do the film. Fearing that Harry Potter would end up becoming some horrible film that didn’t stay true to the books, Rowling demanded some control for the movies and wanted to find the right people in running the Harry Potter films. She found the right man in American filmmaker Chris Columbus who had previously made such great family films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone, and Nine Months. Columbus who had a great reputation for working with children actors was the perfect choice for Rowling as he gathered his own team that included screenwriter Steve Kloves to work on the first Harry Potter film Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone (In the U.K., it’s called Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone). Rowling who knows how powerful and shortsighted the film industry in Hollywood is, also demanded that the casting for Harry Potter should be all-British ensemble so at least the movie could hold a certain prestige that most big-budgeted American films don’t carry. In the end, Rowling won her battle with Hollywood as Columbus began production on Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Based on the book of the same name, The Sorcerer’s Stone is actually an introduction to the Harry Potter character, a orphaned boy who lives with cruel, abusive relatives named the Dursleys that included a fat, bullish cousin named Dudley who treats Harry like crap until one day, he receives a letter from a school called Hogwarts, a school for young wizards and witches where Harry learns about his parents and finds a world where he is appreciated while finding a mysterious secret about an evil wizard named Voldemort, who killed Harry’s parents when he was a baby and lost his powers when he tried to kill the boy.

While like all movies made from books, The Sorcerer’s Stone does leave off some important details that would be useful in later films but it is still enjoyable since screenwriter Steve Kloves does stay true to the book while director Chris Columbus makes an enjoyable film that is both fun for adults and children. The film features an all-star British cast that many filmmakers would die for that includes Richard Harris, Maggie Smith, Robbie Coltrane, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Zoe Wannamaker, Warwick Davis, Julie Walters, John Hurt, Ian Hart, David Bradley, and Alan Rickman! Rounding out the adult cast is the meat of the film, the young actors that provides the accessibility for young moviegoers that are led mainly by Daniel Radcliffe playing the lead role of Harry Potter. Released in late 2001, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone is an excellent film that begins one of the most promising franchises in film history.

The film begins eleven years earlier in a quiet English suburb where a powerful headmaster named Albus Dumbledore (Richard Harris) arrives with fellow teacher Professor McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and gamekeeper Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) to drop off an orphaned baby to a home to live with his relatives. The movie fast forwards eleven years later as Harry Potter wakes up in a cupboard where he’s mistreated very often by his Uncle Vernon Dursley (Richard Griffiths), Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw), and their fat son Dudley (Richard Melling). One day on a trip to the zoo, Harry finds himself communicating with a snake as he mysteriously makes the snake glass vanish freeing the snake while trapping his cousin inside the snake cage.

After the snake incident, Harry receives a letter from a mysterious school called Hogwarts as the Dursleys take and it not let Harry read but the letters keep showing up in multitudes sent by owls which led Vernon to get his family out of their home and into a small house by the sea where their found by Hagrid who tells Harry about Hogwarts, a school for witches and wizards, and gives him something he never had, a birthday cake. Hagrid also tells Harry about his parents who were wizards and a bit of truth about their death from his Aunt who is his mother’s sister. Hagrid is outraged over what his relatives told Harry about his parent’s death and tells them that he will go to Hogwarts and be taught by Albus Dumbledore which lead Vernon to say one of the stories most famous lines “I WILL NOT LET SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS” which led Hagrid to give the Dursleys a punishment.

Hagrid accompanies Harry to London where they go to a pub where all the patrons are excited about meeting Harry Potter including a Hogwarts professor named Quirrell (Ian Hart). There, Harry enters a secret wizard street called Diagon Alley where he gets his money (a fortune) from a bank run by goblins (played Warwick Davis and other midgets including Austin Powers' Verne Troyer, who is the only American actor in the film) where they get Harry’s money and a secret package Hagrid must take to Dumbledore. After buying some things for school, Harry goes to a wand shop run by a man name Ollivander (John Hurt) who lets him try some wands including one that has a connection to the man who killed Harry’s parents where Hagrid tells him his name, Voldemort (a name that many wizards don’t want to say) and all the things he’s done including killing Harry’s parents which led Voldemort to try to kill the baby Harry but for some reason, Voldemort lost his powers and Harry survived with a lightning-bolt scar on his head which is the reason Harry is famous in the wizarding world. .

After getting all the supplies including a snowy pet owl named Hedwig, Hagrid leaves him at King’s Cross to go to a mysterious train platform called 9 ¾ where Harry meets up with a wizarding family named the Weasleys led by a mother (Julie Walters) who accompanies her boys Percy (Chris Rankin), twins Fred & George (James & Oliver Phelps), and the youngest boy in the clan Ron (Rupert Grint). Harry makes friends with Ron who is in shock that he’s sitting in the same compartment where they also meet up with an intelligent young girl named Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) who comes from a Muggle-family (Muggle means non-magic folk). When they arrive at Hogwarts, Harry sees Hagrid and enters the Hogwarts castle where he meets a cocky boy named Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) who is always followed by his cronies Crabbe (Jamie Waylett) and Goyle (Josh Herdman). Harry and the new first-years at Hogwarts enter the great hall where they get sorted into the houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Hermione and Ron get into Gryffindor while Draco goes into Slytherin. Harry meanwhile gets into a tough position when the Sorting Hat considers putting him in Slytherin but ends up putting him in Gryffindor.

As the first day arrives, Harry and Ron gets into their first classes where McGonnagal teaches the first-years Transfiguration while Harry gets a special loathing from Potions master Professor Snape (Alan Rickman) who doesn’t like the way Harry’s getting attention since he’s already somewhat famous. The first-years also get a chance to learn how to ride brooms taught by Madame Hooch (Zoe Wannamaker) where Harry finds a natural talent in riding one after catching an object thrown by Malfoy where Harry becomes a Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team (Quidditch is a sport played on flying brooms that is like football (soccer for you Americans)) where Harry gets a quick lesson from team captain Oliver Wood (Sean Biggerstaff). While going up back to the Gryffindor common room, Harry, Ron, and Hermione accidentally enter a secret room while trying to get away from caretaker Argus Filch (David Bradley) where they meet up with a three-headed dog named Fluffy who was guarding something. Once the trio finds out what Fluffy might be guarding, they learn that the object could be the Sorcerer’s Stone and they learned that a teacher might be stealing it.

The film does include a lot of CGI images, particularly the Quidditch match that is very intense but it’s mostly a film built on sets and everything. Chris Columbus does an excellent job in turning J.K. Rowling’s vision of Hogwarts to the moviegoers while making the Harry Potter fans wishing there was a school like Hogwarts or go through Platform 9 ¾ in King’s Cross. Then there’s the acting, the younger actors do make the film enjoyable for kids and adults even if it’s a bit off at times since the films feature a lot of first-time actors but the leads played by Radcliffe, Grint, Watson, and Felton do bring out great lines as well as some comical timing to the film. Then there are the adult actors who bring in some of the film’s finer moments while being likeable to the younger audience. Robbie Coltrane who usually plays some big boss or a villain finally plays a loveable role that kids could enjoy while Alan Rickman, known for playing enjoyable villains, brings another masterful performance in a role that is so unlikable yet is mostly appreciated by fans of villains.

While the film include some great CGI, colorful cinematography by John Seales, and a flourishing score by John Williams.  The story itself is faithful to the books but nothing quite radical to make some changes for the film.  Columbus' direction is fine though not very daring.  Even when he's compared to other directors that would follow him.  It's mostly a by-the-books approach to directing yet it works because he's aiming for a young audience and readers of the book.  Despite a few of its shortcomings, it is a fantastic film from Columbus.

While it’s not as good as the original book, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone is still one of the most enjoyable family films in the past few years. With fans currently waiting for the fifth book Harry Potter & the Order of Phoenix on June 21, 2003 and the third film Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban in the summer of 2004 where the film will add new actors like Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Pam Ferris, and a replacement for the late Richard Harris for Dumbledore (Currently in the running for that role are Peter O’ Toole and Michael Gambon). While the movie is a worthy introduction to those who want to know about the Harry Potter series, it’s to pick up the books first then see the films later on. Overall, the film for Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone is an excellent introduction to a promising film franchise. 

Harry Potter Reviews:  The Novels: Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire - Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows

The Films: Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets - Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire - Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix - Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 - Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2

Related: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

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