The story begins during summer where Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is spending another servitude summer with the Dursleys, his dismal relatives. He manages to behave himself until a visit from his Aunt Marge (Pam Ferris) stirs him into anger, causing her to inflate like a huge balloon and float off. After he runs off, a huge purple Knight Bus whisks Harry off to a pub where he spends a night before heading back to Hogwarts for his third year of study. A dangerous wizard, Sirius Black (Gary Olman), has escaped from Azkaban prison and Harry's life may be in danger. To make things even scarier, Hogwarts allows the Dementors, the terrifying Azkaban guards to stay and look for Sirius. Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) is a new teacher who helps Harry shield himself from the Dementors' paralyzing effects. My favorite new magical creature is the Buckbeak, half-horse, half eagle called a "Hippogriff".

Director Alfonso Cuaron adds a darker look to this 3rd adventure. Although the surface story is about magic and magical creatures, we see issues surface about growing up, as our three key players grow from childhood to teenagers. New characters, new challenges and many transformations occur making this an interesting adventure I found satisfying.