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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Ultimate Edition
Release Date: Available now
Studio: Warner Home Video
Packaging/Materials: Three-disc Digipak and extras in a heavy cardboard case
Year: 2002
Rating: PG
Running Time: 2:22:00
MSRP: $49.99
THE FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Video
1080p high definition 16x9 2.40:1
Standard and high definition
Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio: English 5.1 / Dolby Digital: French (dubbed in Quebec) 5.1, French 5.1, German 5.1, Italian 5.1, Castellano 5.1, Dutch 5.1, Spanish 5.1, Portuguese 5.1, Catalan 5.1, Belgian Dutch 5.1
Stereo
Subtitles
English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Castellano, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese
Same
Note: This review includes content from my review of the "Harry Potter Limited Edition Collection: Years 1-5" on Blu-ray.
The Feature: 5/5
With the franchise firmly established, the producers seemed willing to take some risks, most notable of them being the selection of director Alfonso Cuaron to helm "The Prisoner of Azkaban." Most known for his mature coming-of-age film, "Y Tu Mama Tambien," Cuaron was certainly an unconventional choice but one that resulted in the most stylish and well-constructed Potter film to date. The break between productions was also a bit longer, which probably helped refine the end product but also confirmed that children grow like weeds. After two years Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson were inarguably teenagers in both appearance and attitude, and a darker and more mature film seemed more than appropriate to match the growth of both the characters and the actors playing them. Casting also continued to be pitch perfect with the selection of Gary Oldman to play Sirius Black and David Thewlis to play Professor Lupin. Unfortunately, the passing of Richard Harris, who was the perfect Dumbledore, left some big shoes that many say have yet to be filled despite actor Michael Gambon's sizable talents.
Unlike the previous Ultimate Editions, "Azkaban" does not include an extended version of the film but only the theatrical version.
Video Quality: 4.5/5
The film is correctly framed at 2.40:1 and presented in 1080p with the VC-1 codec. With its more stylized cinematography black levels tend to be a bit crushed, with shadow delineation and detail often lacking but blacks themselves generally deep and inky. Fine object detail continues to be excellent - specular highlights, textures and reflections lending scenes a remarkable depth in their clarity. While more monochromatic than colorful, the film's stylistic look and tone is translated beautifully to video by the high definition transfer and should more than please those fans who rank "The Prisoner of Azkaban" as their favorite Potter film.
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Surround channels in DTS-HD Master Audio mix provide increased soundtrack support, as well as atmospheric and environmental effects - important given the director's many stylistic flourishes. LFE is full and robust, appearing most notably during the Quidditch scene and with the aggressions of the Whomping Willow. General bass activity is also full and rich, creating a solid foundation for a track with great high frequency detail and broad dynamic range.
Special Features: 4.5/5
Th most notable addition to the special features package is the hour-long "Creating the World of Harry Potter" documentary - part three of eight to be released with each Ultimate Edition (UE). But unlike the previous UEs, the release does not have an "In Movie Experience" picture-in-picture feature that proved to be a highlight of the other releases' extras.
The second disc of extras is a DVD and appears to be a simple re-pressing of the previous release's special features disc. As such it reinstates many of the items that were left off the previous Blu-ray release, though many of them are kid-oriented quizzes and games.
Disc One
BD-Live: Includes the trailers for recent Warner Home Video Blu-ray releases and other promotional pieces.
Disc Two
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 3: Creatures (1:03:22, HD): The third installment should be a treat for anyone wanting a closer look at the conceptualization and creation of the numerous creatures in the Harry Potter films. Some of the material is probably re-purposed from previously produced featurettes, but collecting it into one place makes for an interesting piece. Specific attention is paid to the Horntail Dragon, Aragog the Acromantula, the Basilisk, the Cave Troll, Cornish Pixies, Mandrakes, Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Fawkes the Phoenix, Thestrals, House Elves, Centaurs, Goblins, Animagi, Werewolves, Dementors, Inferi, and - last but not least - Voldemort.
Inside the Creature Shop (8:27, HD): Nick Dudman, Special Makeup Effects Designer, provides a fascinating tour of the various creature animatronics, models, molds and maquettes.
The Magic Touch of Harry Potter (42:28, SD): Cast and crew talk about various aspects of the production in a 2002 promotional documentary.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: Something Wicked This Way Comes (13:02, SD): Shorter 2002 promotional piece provides an overview of the film's central story and character development.
The Making of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (10:02, SD): Another 2002 promotional piece, which looks like it was made for television broadcast, provides some glimpses behind the scenes of the production.
An Interview in Spanish with Alfonso Cuaron (8:15, SD): The director talks about how he got involved in the project and his approach to adapting the material.
Trelawney's Crystal Ball: Unfinished/Deleted Scenes (4:53, HD): Five scenes include moments on the Knight Bus, extended view of a pre-whomped blue bird, talking about Honeydukes in the Great Hall, dealing with Sir Cadogan, and extended moments in the Gryffindor common room.
Trailers (HD): Includes a teaser trailer (1:51) and two theatrical trailers (1:24 and 2:00).
Harry Potter: Spells (:44, SD): Commercial for a Harry Potter game app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book (1:49, HD): Commercial for the collectible pop-up book.
Harry Potter: Film Wizardry (2:30, HD): Commercial for the collectible behind-the-scenes of filming book.
Disc Three
Trelawney's Crystal Ball: Unfinished/Deleted Scenes (4:53, SD): Includes the same five scenes found on Disc Two.
Creating the Vision (11:43, SD): Producers, screenwriter, director and author talk about adapting the third book to film.
Head to Shrunken Head (43:36, SD): Broadcast personality Johnny Vaughn and the Shrunken Head interview cast and crew. The inclusion of the Shrunken Head is an attempt to give some levity to the proceedings, but ultimately is awkward and wears thin. Aside from that it's nice to hear from so many of the cast and crew.
Magic You May Have Missed: Watch scene clips and answer some basic observational questions.
Tour Lupin's Classroom: Walk through the classroom using arrow keys on the remote.
Catch Scabbers!: Use the arrow keys on the remote to navigate through an obstacle course.
Choir Practice (1:39, SD): Karaoke / music video for the "Something Wicked This Way Comes" choral piece.
The Quest of Sir Cadogan: Help the knight complete his mission in another remote-controller game.
Tour Honeyduke's: Walk through the sweet shop using arrow keys on the remote.
Care of Magical Creatures (4:44, SD): A look at the various animals used in the film and their training.
Conjuring A Scene (15:35, SD): A look at hair and makeup, visual effects, mechanical effects, and locations.
Game Preview (1:02, SD): A look at the video game tie-in by EA Games.
Packaging and Physical Items
"Creating the Creatures of Harry Potter" Book: The third of eight books, which serve as companion items to the eight-part documentary, includes photos and concept drawings of the magical creatures up to the "The Half-Blood Prince."
Collector Cards: Two heavy, oversized (4" X 6") trading cards feature Hermione Granger and Sirius Black.
Digital Copy: Download a digital file from a website for playback on a computer or portable device.
Packaging: The two Blu-ray discs and special features DVD come in a quad-fold digpack case; the trading cards are kept in an envelope-like container made of cardstock. The digipack case, the cardstock container and the companion book all slide into a sturdy cardboard case with hinged cover. The cardboard case is printed and embossed like a hardbound book and looks quite handsome on the shelf. There's a slipcover for the case, but it's flashier and more commercial in its style as it also serves as the retail packaging for the release. Those wanting a bit of dust and damage protection might want to keep it on despite its less distinguished appearance, though the lenticular cover image is a nice addition.
Recap
The Feature: 5/5
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 4.5/5
Overall Score (not an average): 3/5
The third part of the documentary is interesting, the book and trading cards are nice, and the construction and design of the packaging is first rate, but will the Ultimate Edition appeal to anyone except the most devoted Harry Potter fan wanting every extra ever created (up to now)? I'm doubtful, especially for casual fans who already own one of the previous BD releases. For them I'd say what they already have is sufficient. For those yet to purchase the title (which I imagine aren't many) the Ultimate Edition makes for a nice package, but individuals will have to figure out for themselves how much more they are willing to pay for it. Currently, the Ultimate Edition is priced about $15 more than the standard single-disc BD. Probably worth it if the extras will be revisited, but if not, that $15 can buy a whole other BD title that is certain to be watched again (perhaps another Potter film?). Given the choice, I imagine many will opt for the standard BD edition, making this Ultimate Edition only for the most ultimate of Potter fans.
