The franchise holders took a real risk by handing this third Harry Potter film to a Mexican director who's best known for the smart, sexy but low-budget road movie Y Tu Mamá También and, more telling, the Oscar-nominated A Little Princess. But the decision has paid dividends. Alfonso Cuarón brings a darker, edgier, scarier feel to this instalment, which has boy wizard Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) contending not only with Gary Oldman's escaped convict, but also with the difficulties of becoming a teenager. But there's still plenty of fun to be had, with ghosts, ghouls and gadgets galore, the most striking gizmo being a shape-shifting triple-decker bus that, were it real, would solve London's traffic congestion at a stroke. David Thewlis, Emma Thompson and Timothy Spall join the list of cameoing celebrities, while the young leads are all growing into their roles. The film has the odd dull patch, and there are scenes weighed down by too much plot, but, by and large, this adventure is on a par with its predecessors, and, in many respects, is even better. Potter fans will not be disappointed. |
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Cast List: Harry Potter : Daniel Radcliffe Ron Weasley : Rupert Grint Hermione Granger : Emma Watson Prof Albus Dumbledore : Michael Gambon Prof Minerva McGonagall : Maggie Smith Rubeus Hagrid : Robbie Coltrane Prof Severus Snape : Alan Rickman Prof Lupin : David Thewlis Prof Sybill Trelawney : Emma Thompson Sirius Black : Gary Oldman Mrs Molly Weasley : Julie Walters Mr Arthur Weasley : Mark Williams James Potter : Adrian Rawlins Lily Potter : Geraldine Somerville Uncle Vernon : Richard Griffiths Aunt Marge : Pam Ferris Aunt Petunia : Fiona Shaw Argus Filch : David Bradley (2) Fat lady in painting : Dawn French Draco Malfoy : Tom Felton Madame Rosmerta : Julie Christie Cornelius Fudge : Robert Hardy Peter Pettigrew : Timothy Spall Sir Cadogan : Paul Whitehouse Shrunken head : Lenny Henry |