Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

A better movie by far than the first two. Beautifully shot and Cuaron seems to understand that Rupert Grint should be on-screen as little as possible -- quite an improvement this time around. The effects and casting were marvelous and this was a joy to watch. I was a little disappointed that they didn't delve into the story of the deep friendship shared by James Potter, Lupin, Black and Pettigrew and the meaning of the names "Mooney, Padfoot, Wormtail, and Prongs" and the whole reason for the shrieking shack/marauder's map...which are all *huge* bits of story to overlook -- but, in all, I was surprised to like it as much as I did.

B