Boffo boy wizard Potter (Radcliffe) rides again – this time under the yoke of helmer Cuarón (Y Tu Mamá También) – and the resulting yarn is zippier and more macabre than Chris Columbus’ two previous plodding productions. "Is it true to the book?" shriek legions of fans, clutching their wands, robes, and buckets of popcorn. Yes, kids, it is, but not so slavishly that the film lacks a spark of its own. It helps that J.K. Rowling’s third book in the series is full of spooky stuff that translates beautifully to screen. The juvenile actors perform adequately, but the treat is the star lineup of British thesps. Woe is to Gambon, who succeeds the late Richard Harris as Hogwart’s headmaster Dumbledore, for despite his best efforts he lacks the former’s gravitas; the absence is palpable. The film doesn’t bother with much exposition – it just chugs along briskly, riding a wave of wonder and enthusiasm.
D: Alfonso Cuarón; with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint.
Opened 06/04/04