Finally, a harry potter movie that starts childlike and ends with maturity! Bravo Alfonso Cuaron!

With strong performances stand out Emma Watson, thrills, a great score, great emotional depth, and dazzling visuals make this one of the best of the potters. I give this film 90% of a good movie.

This one transcends fantasy and becomes a magical epic. it has an emotional resonance that the other two somewhat lacked. This time, you can actually relate to the characters and the difficulties they go through. The human side of Potter comes clear. None of the Potter movies were bad, but this one takes the cake, and sets a new standard.

This one just doesn't give me that feeling the first two gave me and it lacks the action of the 4th and 5th films. By far the worst so far.

An excellent interpretation by Mr. Cuaron. He should be applauded for making this film darker, than the "Willy Wonka-ish" first two misfires. The only thing that prevents my awarding it 10 points, is its far-too-short length. Mr. Cuaron should have filmed and cut a three hour version. Reading many of the other reviews, I notice one particular trait in common. Those giving this film a poor review, more than likely demonstrate poor grammar and spelling skills in their postings; whereas those giving the fim a positive review, tend to appear more educated. A coincidence? I would doubt it... (And I will be thoroughly impressed, if my above comment survives editing. I will be surprised if those that maintain this board, have the courage to let someone be offended.)… Expand

Dont u think emma watson (hermione) is sooooo fit... !!!????!!!! i do!!!

It was goood.

Man, this is like the last good movie and last good book in the Harry Potter series rolled into one. Mildly confusing if you didn't read the books though. It actually alludes to how lacking of logical emotion the series will become.

Probably the least engaging of the series when it comes to the film adaptations; very uneventful -- missing the engaging parts of the book. Somehow though, even with its serious flaws -- Azkaban is worth watching.

Prisoner of Azkaban's cinematography itself blows you away, and the world of Hogwarts leaps from the screen almost as well as Pandora (and without the help of 3D). Several new great characters (and actors) enter at this point, stirring darker themes up for the first time. The storyline is also my favorite of the series, and this movie sticks to the source material incredibly well. Emotionally charged, incredible acted, and superbly directed, this is easily for me the best movie of the series.… Expand

This is a new, equally entrancing look at the world of Harry Potter, a darker, haunting film that sticks with you.

Well the books are no match to the books...but at least the movie compared to other harry potter movies.

The first two movies are great, but this is the best because of the distinct visual style (which surpasses Tim Burton's in my opinion) and the subtle brilliance in the performances. Sure I can gripe because it changes soooo much from the book and doesn't have very important scenes such as Gryffindor winning the house cup, but it is still a brilliant film that stands well on it's own as well as being part of the series.… Expand

The film in my opinion was (for a kids title) quite dark and brooding and the quidditch scene was very well done and incredibly dramatic. I didnt like the way the story was handed to us and everything was explained by someone making us feel like children (e.g. 'It wasnt my dad i saw! It was me!'.) Those small quips took away from the film but in my opinion it was top class pottery, and I hope GOF improves on the formula.… Expand

Harry Potter is the great filme i ever see!!!! I love it !!!

The third time around didn't charm me as well as the first two movies in the franchise. They changed the director, which had a big effect on the overall tone of the movie. It was dark and unrelenting to watch. The only thing that appealed to me was how it ended and the magical scenery around Hogwarts. The rest, I could forget about it. There never was a bright moment in the movie, and the only thing Harry has to hold onto is his two friends, Hermoine and Ron. Harry has enemies, he has friends. He still hasn't fully understood that he will in the end have an epic battle with Voldemort because he has an ultimate desire too. Lord Voldemort is very powerful, but his lurking presence around the halls of Hogwarts doesn't frighten him as much as it used to. The director gives us an uncomfortable viewing experience that I wan't happy with and wish this doesn't happen again in the next film.… Expand

Hands down, the best in the Potter series. The younger actors finally come into there own in this installment. The casting of Michael Gambon as Dumbledore was perfect, and he plays a better Dumbledore then the late Richard Harris (not to be offensive). Visually dark and emotionally satisfying, Azkaban works not only as a Potter movie, but as a movie in its own right.

A surprising improvement on the first and second installments in acting, artistic elements and emotional involvement in the story. It was darker and with this darkness came a more real movie, plus a pretty cool climactic battle

Ok, I just saw this movie yesterday, and I hate to say it, but, I was greatly disappointed in it. I felt like the the actors new acting technique was devoid of any real emotion. Also..I LOVE GARY OLDMAN, but, I felt him and the Thewlis..and well, most of the new characters were way overacted by the actors portraying them. Yes, I know that as the books go..it is going to get much darker, but, I just didn't feel like there was a purpose for it. Like it was left unexplained. I will go see it again and maybe I will have a different view. (hopefully) But, I hope the new director for the fourth installment will do a better job with that one then what the director for this one did. … Expand

Having read the books I found this film to be lacking some of the best parts. I felt no emotional ties to the characters, especially Sirius Black.

Definitely the best movie of the three. The new look and direction seems more grown up, just like Harry and his friends. From the first scenes, HP seems like something totally new and exciting. Everyone I saw this movie with was truly impressed.

This is a great movie -- if you aren't familiar with the book. Of all the HP movies so far, this one is the worst interpretation of the book. While watching the movie, the viewer gets the sense of being rushed. Quite a bit occurs that should be explained,but isn't. The acting is first rate, and the new Dumbledore does a surprisingly good job in the role. The movie is funnier - and darker - than its predecessors, but it is difficult the bond with any of the new characters, and one leaves the theater feeling full, but somehow unsatisfied.… Expand

Easily the best of the three films, Alfonso Cuaron has taken a childrens book and added mood, fear, and style in his own way and possibly set a metronome for the next couple films. The children really step up and give woundrous performances, espically Radcliffe. Also Gary Oldman is so FREAKIN good as Serius Black. This is one of this years best films, and if Cuaron does not return, could end up being the best film of the franchise. A BIG 10!… Expand

I'm not sure why one of the people who gave this movie a 1 (or was it a 0?) called the plot 'trite'. Yes, it is because of the book. And I don't understand either why some people felt that it did not stick to the book. In contrast, I thought that it stuck much better to the plot than the first two movies did, although it didn't stick to it 100%. Some things were put in different positions, some things were cut out, but all in all, it was as loyal to the book as most movies ever go. This third movie is directed beautifully and the effects much more convincing. It is darker and more mature than the first two, which annoyed me a bit in that they were very obviously children's movies. In PoA, the acting was stunning - Emma, Dan and Rupert have improved hundred-fold from even the last HP movie. PoA isn't perfect - a lot of the things they cut out which i would've liked to see irked me, but it also doesn't deserve all these negative comments either, some of which are unfounded. A quarter of the way through the movie, I told myself to stop comparing it to the book. Stop thinking about that the correct order of events would be or what they missed out. It could never compare to the book. No movie derived from a book ever could. … Expand

I thought this movie was way better than the first 2. the first 2 were stupid disney kiddie movies, while this one was much more cleverly done. and it isnt the book, its a movie, totally separate, it doesnt have to have every single little piece of dialogue.

I waited earnestly for this movie to come to theaters. I even reread the book to make sure I would know all that was going on in the motion picture. I went to the theaters with a group of others who had done the same. But lo and behold as we watched the movie, we were taken back many times by the absence of certain features in the movie that we had all considered critical to the overall enjoyment of the movie. I found myself nowhere near the edge of my seat during the most critical parts of the story...Oh yes, that reminds me, there was no story line to catch critical parts in anyway. I find that the second and first movie especially were wonderful to watch over and over again; the plots were clear, the acting acceptable, and the key parts focused on. I know critics are glad that this movie is full of successful commercial aspects, but that is not what makes a great seller for those of us who loved seeing every important part we cherished when reading the books. To make an analogy: if Lord of the Rings was done the same in the third movie, Frodo and Sam would be found to be wearing t-shirts and jeans and perhaps Gandalf would have made only a few surprise appearances along with other important characters who should have played major roles. I obviously can't mask that I was dissapointed in this movie and therefore my deepest desire would be that it could be redone by a more understanding and reliable director. The sad thing is that I will not be purchasing this third movie and will be letting my friends know what a dissapointment it was along with advising them not to purchase a ticket. I just wish this movie had been one that I raved about and not one that I easily found so many faults with. I know that many others fell the same way I do and that really is saying something. SO PLEASE READ THIS OPINION AND UNDERSTAND THE MANY FLAWS IN THIS MOVIE NOTICED BY SO MANY PREVIOUS FANS OF THE BEGINNING SERIES!!!… Expand

Sucks a lot!

By FAR the best harry potter movie yet. THe kids are finally learning how to act, David Thewlis is amazing, and Cuaron has done an excellent job, improving substantially from 'A Little Princess' and 'Great Expectations' (REALLY, he's gotten a LOT better). if you want a simple, saccharined movie, rent the first two. If you want a movie that is concerned with acting, story, and atmosphere, go out and see it NOW.… Expand