heres the thing when you first saw the trailer, what were your emotions when you saw the trailer.

heres me, i was so excited. i loved the music, for ALL the trailers (teaser, theaterical, international a, international and it was just so awesome!!! i mean i was so excited. at school, i wore a hp sticker on my shirt and a shrunken hedwig sweatshirt which nobody could see. my friend is also a HUGE fan, i mean shes known for loving hp. and all my other friends told me to take of my sticker.

then when i saw the movie, right when it said "harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban" i started to have like this big huge grin. i was about to cry at the end because sirius leaving, and it was oveeeeeeer. :'(

at the end i was weak and shaking from all the excitement and adventure. yes i loved it that much!

I also got very excited when the movie started!!! And yeah...the trailers were so cool! But I got disappointed....Especially with how it ended...But when i saw it one more time (two days ago) I really loved it! Because now I had forgotten about all the things I didn't like and just enjoyed the movie! It's a great movie! (and the actors are so hot now...lol)

I really think I need to see the movie again, and lower my expectations. I was somewhat disappointed with it the first two times, and with the music in particular. Missed the old score, I guess.. But there's no doubt about it, PoA is a great movie, just not quite as good as I expected. I'll come around, though :wink:

I have the movie in my computer in spanish and in english (viva internet!!!!), and I see it everyday. I think is the best film I've ever seen.

hey did u say u saw the film thru net?how did u get that?which site?

I was sooo excited the first time I saw it! Especially because it was at the midnight show and everyone else was feeling the same way...

I enjoyed the music as well

I know they have the bootleg versions in Chinatown (NYC) from the Asian women with the pushcarts. hehe

[COLOR=yellow]I dont think the movie is great, because Alfonso Cuaron doesnt look like want to read the book clearly! Look, harry use the magic at home and he said:"Lumos [COLOR=red]Maximum![COLOR=yellow]" Why does Chris direct this movie?

i loved the movie, it was great. i dont think that the director was bad at all (i just watched the movie again and thought that he did a great job)

You go, dansgurl01!! I'm pro-POA all the way!! Cuaron did an excellent job!! Sure there were bits that could have been included, some that maybe could have done better without.....but hey, as I've said a million times now, it kept to the SPIRIT of the book and that's all that matters!!

No, Cuaron did his best directing a series that had already been started and adding his own little touches.

However I believe that I could've sat another hour just to see the whole book not a splinched version

I love the movie, was great, and the trailer was awesome, I love the part when some boys and girls are singing, that´s awesome, the music its very nice!!, I think the little details were great specially when Harry sees Pettigrew walking in the map, but the part I dislike is Harry crynig, that was bad!!

Yeah I wouldn't have minded about the whole crying thing except for when he went through the yelling/screaming "i'll kill him" or whatever.

He shouldn't have been so agressive.

But the attention to detail was awesome considering how short (yeah right) it was.

I abolutely love ALL scenes of Ron/Hermione "Hand-Holding"...
I can't wait for see the Yule Ball Scene in GoF!!!!!!
A Jealous Ron...
I LOVE the couple Ron/Hermione, is the best!!!!!!

I was really excited when I saw the trailer, but I have to admit I was somewhat dissapointed after seeing the movie. It was alright, I just think it could have been better. I think think they could have done a better job at starting the movie off, for one.

Yeah I can't wait for the next movie.
I hear that they have just started/finished filming the Portkey scene.

I want to know what happens because for the last hour and a half they used doubles and if the doubles have ever been included in the actual movie???

Kreacher - I actually thought they could have played up more of the agression!! Think about it. You've just found out that the Prisoner of Azkaban who everyone is talking about is after you, and he's the same person that led Voldemort to your parents' death AND he's your godfather!! How would YOU feel?! I'd be pissed. Outraged actually.

Yeah I can't wait for GoF!! *impatient* Yup they've just filmed the Portkey scene.

Yes they should've played up the agression a bit. But here I was at the movies and I'm nearly in tears about Harry's sadness and then all of a sudden he was yelling and screaming. It should've been a common room scene just Harry, Ron and Hermione with them talking about it and then Harry going off his trolley in anger!

Sorry to be the downer in the group, but I was pretty dissapointed.

I mean, I know they can't do every thing like the book, but I think they could have done a better job...

Why was Harry doing magic at home? Did they even mention James being an animagus? They showed Harry's patronus as a stag (barely) but didn't explain why it was a stag.

I think that the Shreiking Shack scene was too rushed and the film was too short. Yeah I know it was over two hours long, but I would have sat through it. Wouldn't you?

They didn't even explain who wrote the Marauder's Map.

Lupin was great but the werewolf was like bald...

Also it seemed to me that Harry's feelings toward Sirius are way too rushed.

In the end I think what was in the film was ok. But they have better have a whole bunch of deleted scenes on the DVD.

I can't wait for GoF though. I just can't see anything they can really leave out, but then that worries me...

I absolutely loved the movie!
I can't wait until the DVD comes out, because I'll watch it everyday. I agree with it being very short. I wouldn't have minded a 4-hour long movie, though. Lord of the Rings was 3 1/2 hours long; why not Harry Potter? I would have sat through it no matter if it was 10 hours long. They missed a lot of important pionts because of the length.

I do think that Cuaron did a fabulous job adding his own touches. I will be happy when Columbus comes back, as long as he keeps some of Cuaron's ideas in.

Thank You for listening!

I loved the movie because everyone was so much more mature and adult that the movie sort of flowed. But the way everything went it looked like they were at Hogwarts for about three days it went to fast for a person like me!

Note: How is harry going to get into Hogsmeade???

Erin, that's perfectly fine, we are all entitled to our own opinion, this is a forum after all!!

I think the main reason why I appreciated POA so much was because I've studied film, and looking at it from a technical aspect, it is indeed a fantastic film. Awesome. Brilliant!! Like Kreacher said, it was all those personal touches that Cuaron did that I really loved.

Yes, undeniable, in terms of what was included and excluded, things could have been done differently. I'm pro-POA all the way, but I admit that it is not perfect.

I agree, Erin,
- there should have been explanation about the Marauders' background
- I have no idea why Harry was doing magic at home, but I'm assuming that it was for school, and it was only practice, that's why it was allowed
- The Shrieking Shack scene could have included more info/details for the benefit of those who hadn't read the book

BUT I think, all things considering, Cuaron did a brilliant job. No doubt, being huge fans of HP, we wouldn't mind sitting for a HP movie that's 10 hours long, but the fact of the matter is, in film, there is a time constraint. My only guess why HP couldn't be 3+ hours long like LOTR is 1) budget constraints and 2) the fact that the main target market is kids and how many kids' attention span can hold for that long?

So yeah, with the time frame he had to work with, I reckon Cuaron did the best he could do. He really picked out all the significant scenes central to the theme from the book and pieced them together, adding his own personal touches.

Some couldn't understand why he used precious time (that no doubt could have been used for better details, say the Marauders' background) on seemingly "stupid" things like showing the landscape and the bird getting squashed by the Whomping Willow. Well that's Cuaron's style. Each director has their own unique way of telling the story in a film, and in each movie they direct, they put a personal "stamp" on it.

We are all different individuals therefore it would be impossible to please everyone. So whoever takes on a HP film, they will not be able to produce a film that caters to everyone, all they can do is give viewers THEIR vision of that particular HP book.

So for POA, many said that Cuaron changed too much and made it darker and less magical, but that was what he grasped from the book and how he pictured Hogwarts to be. That's why I always say that if you don't like POA or were disappointed by it, don't say it's because Cuaron was a crap director, but that his style didn't really agree with you. Coz to me, his only "crime" was that he was different and he was willing to take risks.

I've said this time and time again - all that matters is that he kept to the SPIRIT of the book. Remember, these movies are based on the novels and was never meant to be an exact physical representation of the books. They can never follow the book exactly, all they can do is take the crux of it and edit it to fit the frame of a film. If you guys get what I mean.

As far as I know, Columbus will not be directing any more of the HP films. Mike Newell is now doing GoF, and I'm excited with what he's gonna do with the book. With the same amount of running time, it's gonna be a massive challenge. Lots would definitely have to be cut out or edited down, but as I've said, whatever the finish product, I'll still salute Newell coz GoF is thus far, the hardest book of the series to realize to the big screen.

PS - Kreacher, to answer your question, I think at the start of GoF or maybe at the next Hogsmeade visit, Harry will mention something about Sirius sending a permission form in the Owl Post...that's what I reckon.

I think GoF will be worse than PoA. Cuarón is the best director of HP movies, in my opinion, MUCH BETTER than Chris Columbus and he doesn't direct GoF...
I don't know the work of Mike Newell, may be is good, but... I think without Cuarón the film will be worse. Sorry, but is my opinion.

I love the work of Alfonso (¿se nota?)!!!!!!

PoA is the best film I've ever seen!!!! And I have seen it a lot of times, I have the film in my computer in english and spanish (I see it more in spanish ) and I think this film is BRILLIANT!!!!!

¡¡¡¡¡VIVA ALFONSO CUARÓN, EL MEJOR DIRECTOR QUE EXISTE!!!!!!

~ESPAÑOLA~

I wasn't saying he was a bad director. I just didn't like this film much...
I love the HP books and I think they left out some important parts. Thats all, wasn't saying anything else...

Sorry if I seemed like I was picking on you Erin!! I really wasn't!!

I never said that you said Cuaron was a bad director, I was merely saying that there are some people out there that do.

I agree with you that there were some important stuff that should have been in the movie, and I gave the examples.

It's perfectly fine that you didn't like the movie very much. You know what they say, one's man meat is another man's poison. As I've said before, we are all different so we will all have differing tastes and opinions. Therefore whichever director that takes up a HP film will never be able to please everyone, so all they can do is give the audience their vision of the book that they are doing, and put a personal stamp to it. And as long as it sticks to the spirit of the books, that's fine.

That's all *I* was trying to say. If I offended you in any way, apologies!! I was just telling you my opinion as you were yours.

The movie is an excellent storyteller! I did film in English over the last few months so I feel clever *stops and feels smart*

Everyone kneel down and bow to the master Alfonso!!!

Sorry if you didn't like it but thats how I feel!!!

*drops down on to knees next to kreacher*

I'm with you, mate!! Cuaron's a LEGEND!!!

I've studied film before and from a cinematic point of view, POA was brilliant. Such artistic storytelling!!

Yes and the little insignificant scenes (eg the bird) sort of make it more interesting. Dunno why??

BTW I got my test results back and I passed - I had to analyse a movie - three guesses which one????

Hey ashleigh, its okay. Sorry my answer is so late but I've been crying my eyes out for days thinking that you guys didn't like me...

No, really, sorry if I made you think that I was upset. I've got strong opinions and felt like it needed to be said. Oh well.... since no one agrees with me I suppose I should shut up some time soon...

Kreacher - Hahaha...hmmm...errr.... *tries to act dumb* Lord of the Rings??! *tee hee* Well good on ya, keep it up!!

Erin -
Awww don't be silly!! Why would we not like you?! *I* certainly have no ill feelings towards you!!

No worries, mate, I'm someone with very strong opinions too so I know where you're coming from. I'm especially passionate over POA (as you can probably tell by now hehe) so even though I've repeated myself like a thousand times, like you, I felt that it just had to be said.

And don't feel you have to shut up just because people don't agree with ya!! That's the beauty of this forum. It's a place where we can voice our opinions, discuss our thoughts of all things HP and share our theories.

Trust me, I've been in threads where my opinion was the "unpopular" one, everyone seemed to be against me coz no one agreed with what I thought, but I didn't care because it's what *I* think. We have a right to express our opinions here just as long as we don't offend anyone or put down other people's views in the process. Well that's what I think, anyway.

It's been all good for me because as passionate I am about some issues and as stubborn as I am on certain matters, I'm still open to other people's opinions. It's been so interesting gaining all kinds of feedback different from our own and gaining new insights which I'd never thought about. I love this place!!

Thankyou *bows* Erin I'm sorry if I was a little rude to you in other threads. This is a forum and everyones contribution should be and is highly valuable! I am in full agreement with you Ashleigh07 I saw the movie again yesterday most in particular to the agression scene and now I can see the reason behind the more agression comment!

Yay no longer an ickle firstie!!

That's great, it's always good when someone agrees with what you've said!! And I'm glad too that you see where I was coming from about the whole agression thing...

Albus -The movies are only based on the novels and was never meant to be an exact visual representation of the books. If it was, then we'd be watching a +5 hour movie which is totally fine for big fans like us, but realistically, is just not possible.

A lot has to be cut out or edited down:
-to fit the frame of a 2 1/2 hour movie, which explains why some facts have to be changed to shorten scenes
-due to budget constraints
-due to time constraints obviously
-due to the fact that the main target audience are children

Overall the movie kept to the SPIRIT of the book and that's all that matters. So there were some changes so it lacked continuity from the first 2 movies...but since when is change neccesarily a bad thing? People need to be less purist when it comes to the movies.

It's not easy directing a film, what more trying to realize something to the big screen that's as massive as HP. People only know how to criticize but honestly, try and do it and you'll soon find out it's not a piece of cake. I've studied film so I know. I think overall Cuaron did an excellent job with the time frame he had and also considering the fact he only read POA, he still managed to catch the essence of a HP film.

Don't get me wrong, Albus, I'm not picking on you. You are of course, entitled to your own opinion. This is just MINE. And don't worry, I do not intend on changing your views of POA either. All I'm saying is maybe you should be a bit more open-minded, and remember, don't criticize the director. Cuaron's not a bad director, he was just different from Columbus. He envisioned Hogwarts and the world of HP differently. So he's not a bad director at all, it's just that his style didn't agree as much with you as Columbus' way of doing it did.

At the end of the day, all any director can do is put their own unique stamp to each movie they direct. Any director that takes up a HP film will never be able to please every single HP fan because we are all different people with different tastes. So they can only create the world as they see it.

Oh dear, sorry for those of you who have read all this before!!

Yeah I know I think that the movies can't be 5 hours because even the most devout Hp fan will need to go to the toilet and miss something. Asleigh07 I agree with you about the "spirit of the book" not the book. It is a representation not a re enactment!

hmm i liked this movie better than the other two, but it did have some parts i didnt like.

yes, isnt harry not allowed to use magic outside of school? what the **** is he doing lighting up his wand to see? i thought that part was pointless. i'm just saying that they could have left those un necessary scenes, and add some stuff from the book.

i think they introduced the characters nicely though. i loved how lupin was introduced. very mysterious at the beginning.

but at the second half, everything was rushed. i cant really explain it, but it felt like the the movie ended too soon for me. i was like, "wow, it's over already? how can they put so much info in what feels like a short time?"

eh, it's just what i think. =\

i was kinda disappointed with this film. it was so unlike the other ones! i thought the other director was more faithful to the books then this one. though i did enjoy the strong hints of hermione/ron and the mishieveousness, thats a cool word, of dumbledore. plus this film seemed to have more humor then the others. . .and more adventure! spidey!

Albus, wow I loved how you "dissected" my post, and put your "counter-arguments" after...makes it so much more easier eh?! Well I shall keep things organized and do the same too...

I just want to add that, bear in mind that all decisions of what goes into the HP movies, anything at all big or small, needs to get JKR's permission first. Therefore, EVERYTHING that we see in the HP movies have all had JKR's stamp of approval. So even with the changes Cuaron did in POA that certainly disrupted continuity from the first 2 was allowed by JKR.

In fact, she did say that POA is her favorite movie thus far...probably because Cuaron's vision of Hogwarts and everything was the closest to her vision?

Well, what's great in JKR's eyes is certainly good enough for me, I say!!

So yeah, just something to ponder about for those of you who were disappointed by POA...JKR *does* have a say in the movies (the books are her babies, after all!!).

hmm.. now the quoting war contines...

"Opinion war" eh...cool!! I like the sound of that!!

Haha well thank YOU Albus, you were an excellent competitor too!! Very challenging!! Cheers, mate!!

Don't worry, I'm 21 but I watch cartoons, own an army of soft toys and as you can see, am an overly-obsessed HP fanatic.

So you're not the only one that's weird.

According to some "anonymous informant" I heard that they didn't explain more about the Marauders because the writer is saving it for this whole big thing in the fourth movie.

Plus, when you don't like the lines or the way the story went you can't really blame the director. You all know who writes the script and all. Just a side note.

JA JA JA I laugh of the people who speak bad of Alfonso, bacause they don't know about the good work. Alfonso is the BEST of HP directors, and PoA is MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER than PS and CoS.
Alfonso is the best!!!!!!!!!!
I love the scenes of Ron and Hermione... and Cuarón has made it EXTRAORDINARILY!!!

Adoro a Alfonso Cuarón.

~ESPAÑOLA~

The "anonymous informant" was an interview with Cuaron or something... I tend to forget. But I know it's true! Believe me! I am so tired at the moment.

Yes the dissecting was very interesting reading and fully in the spirit of the forum.

Aaaannnddd the winner is!............


Well there isn't any winner. But you both put up an excellent fight so it is a draw!

My views

I like..

Lupin - David Thewlis he was excellent
Black - Gary Oldman he was crazy yet sensitive which made me think about Sirius in a completely different way!
The Castle - it's more dark, a little more edgy. It resembled Scotland a lot more - and so it should considering that is where it is set!
The Spirit - at the end of the day the books are about Harry and Voldemort and all the things that come in are subplots. Yes I know you will disagree and I expect you too. But I stand by everything that I say

What Wednesday said, yeah I did hear about that somewhere too...can't remember where, though. One other thing I heard was that they did have the explanation of the Marauders but it just didn't make the final cut, so maybe, fingers crossed, we'll see it on the DVD among the additional scenes!!

I'm glad we brought much interesting reading time for you, Kreacher!! And all I can say is, anytime mate, anytime. I'm pro-POA as all of you will know by now so I could talk on forever about the movie!!

I totally agree with your points, Thewlis and Oldman did an excellent job bringing Lupin and Black to life, definitely did the characters justice!!

Oh and Wednesday, I sooo agree!! In fact, it just occurred to me not too long ago, and I was laughing about it coz Cuaron's getting all the heat for not staying faithful to the book, when Kloves was actually the one that wrote the screenplay, so he had a part to play too!!

Well all I can say is, the important thing really should be that the movies stay true to the SPIRIT of the book, not so much the content but that the over/underlying theme(s) displayed in the movie, do justice to the book.

Things like where Hagrid's hut is situated is just so insignificant in comparison to the entirety of this world that JKR has created for us...and I'm sure she agrees, if not do you think she would have allowed them to change the location of Hagrid's hut if it were that important?? Remember, everything has to go through her first, so what we see on the screen has been approved by her. And if it's fine by the writer, it's totally fine with me!!