Things get considerably darker in the third film in the series, HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN.
It's Harry and company's third year at Hogwarts and after some early fun around Harry's use of magic outside of school, Harry discovers that dangerous criminal Sirius Black has escaped from prison and is coming to kill him.
There are so many moving pieces of the story. it's proof of NEW director Alfonso Cuaron's (Children of Men, Y Tu Mama Tambien) talent that he not only takes the reins and corrals the story, but that he does so while changing the tone to a considerably darker one than the first two films.
Azkaban moves the series from family friendly to decidedly older territory with elements like the sinister Dementors, who linger like dark ghosts around Hogwarts to protect the school but seem to cause more harm than good.
Lots of great storytelling with a great cast, including the always excellent Gary Oldman as Black.
So far, my favorite film of the series. Less kiddy friendly equals more to my taste. We'll give the Prisoner a solid A.
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