Muggles, Critics, Receive Harry Potter film with open arms. International Wizarding Press; Atlanta, GA—It was with yells and cheers that Harry Potter fans greeted the now internationally famous cast of the Harry Potter films as they arrived at their New York premiere. Not surprising, for those in love with the books. But as it turns out, many of those cheering weren’t just book fans. A host of well known muggle movie critics raised a triumphant yell as well. Called “the first Harry Potter movie that qualifies as cinema (1)”, “a deeper, darker, visually arresting…adaptation (2)” and a movie that “stands alone as a creative triumph (3)” Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban has not only lived up to the expectations of the legions of Harry Potter fans awaiting its release, it has exceeded them. The film, which stars the same cast as the first two adaptations, was helmed this time around by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, who took the reins from Chris Columbus, director of the first two films. With a keen eye for detail and a deeper understanding of the darker side of human emotion, Cuaron impressed both movie fans and critics alike with his gritty, angst filled film. Opening weekend tallies in the United Kingdom totaled more than 11.5 million pounds, one of the highest openings for any movie in Britain; in the United states, it took in a whopping $93 million dollars, making it the third highest grossing opening weekend of all time. Box office totals for the US alone are nearing $200 million dollars after just four weeks of release. The warm reception is certainly due to Cuaron’s different style of filmmaking, but additional applause have been granted to the maturing cast, who really carry the film this time around. They received more than just warm praise from most critics for their now burgeoning talent, particularly Daniel Radcliffe, the muggle actor who plays Harry, whom more than one reviewer praised for his “improved skill” “confidence” and “heart.” “Its really quite wonderful, better than we could have hoped for,” said David Story, a muggle-film enthusiast. “We knew it was good, but some were skeptical because of the changes the director has made. But the muggle box office speaks for itself.” Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros studio, the muggle company who produces the film, was reported in a muggle newspaper as saying “I guess audiences are still crazy about Harry.” Muggle fans certainly are. The famed biographer of our Harry’s life, Joanne Rowling, was also pleased with the movie. On her “web site” she says “I loved it immediately: it is my favourite Harry Potter film so far.” Wizard reactions to the film are mixed; some grumble that it is not an accurate telling of events, others are well pleased that so many muggles have taken an interest. “Perhaps it will encourage them to read the actual story,” said Hermione Granger, one of the “star characters” of the film. “So they can know what Harry’s life is really about. But even if they don’t, they can see how we were feeling at that point in our lives, especially Harry. They’ve done a rather brilliant job of capturing the important parts, and I suppose that is what matters.” Harry Potter himself is quietly pleased. “There are a few parts in the film that sadden me,” he said softly, “because I know what happens afterward. It was like reliving some very bad parts over and over again. But in general, the movie was well told, and I’m glad my story seems to enchant so many muggles. Plus, they finally got Daniel’s hair to stick up more like mine,” he says with a smile, “and that does make me proud a bit, because perhaps I’m rubbing off on him instead of the other way around.” Final tallies for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban have yet to be seen, but movie analysts are already predicting it will be one of the highest grossing films of the year. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth movie of the series, has begun filming in the United Kingdom and is slated for release in November of 2005. 1= courtesy David Polland, Hot Button 2 = courtesy Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter 3 = courtesy Richard Roeper, Ebert and Roeper |