By film 3, the children were maturing enough to have normal voices and some small acting skills.

I must say, the Knight Bus sequence was brilliant.

And the Dementors - a great Rowling invention, far better than any Tolkein monsters.
And the way they suck the life out of people, reminiscent of Stephen King's Green Mile, is very well done.
And Michael Gambon taking over from Richard Harris.
And the "Hermione in two places at once" trick - a clever and vital plot element.

This looks like the best so far though it was only really No5 that I truly liked at the time.

The way they did the double time thing at the end was tremendous - really classy and above the level of expectation.

I really enjoyed this film second time around (mind you, first time was in prison thanks to a DVD sent in by a friend and a really kind officer at HMP Elmley)... far better than the first two and the girl playing Hermione (always my favourite character in ALL the books) is already turning into a very good actress. Harry is fine (Ron is still ropey).

SUCH a clever plot this one... JKR at her most inventive.

Michael Gambon has been a revelation in the role,and made it his own...no small feat when you consider the shoes he had to fill.

The Prisoner of Azkaban is a contender for my favourite of the seven books, and the film goes a fair way to doing it justice.

I agree about the Knight Bus sequence. Marvellously done.

Being pedantic, as I am, the Dementors don't suck the life out of you, they suck your soul, feeding on fear and despair. They allude to depression, of which J.K.Rowling has been a sufferer. Significantly we "Muggles" can't see them, but are equally affected. An inspired invention indeed.

Clearly the rights for terrestrial broadcast have run out so I'm watching the Goblet Of Fire DVD instead!

And again - not really having liked it on release - I thought it was terrific watching the DVD.

Still have serious reservations about Rupert Grint's acting abilities. Dan Radcliffe is fine and Emma Watson very good.

But I am so in admiration for Rowling's imagination. I love the concept of the pensieve.

And the effects were splendid.

Looking forward to No6 - the Half Blood Prince - due this Xmas I believe.

Sorry Jonathan, but Radcliffe is not fine. He's a bad actor...confirmed with ITV's drama about Rudyard Kipling. I'm surprised at your Grint versus Radcliffe stance. More surprised, upon your track record for spotting talent that you can't see it. Perhaps I'm alone, but I do feel that Radcliffe was bad choice. The lad has no star quality, no talent, and no charisma. Surely not what Rowling would have wanted...but when the millions start rolling in I doubt she cares. Sums up da meedja these days. Now I ask you to show me something which disproves my opinion that Radcliffe cannot act.

Well, Chrissy, Radcliffe certainly has yet to prove he's a great actor but he's fine as Harry; Emily is very good as Hermione (my favourite character in the novels by miles so I'm very critical) but Rupert, with his limited facial expressions, is really weak.

I do enjoy some of the caricature star parts - dear old Eric Sykes (who I gather is superb in Son Of Rambow).

For me the HUGE test will be the Half Blood Prince. It is, I think, my favourite of the books (though I was so happy with Rowling's last chapter in the final book) and that's partly because the death of Dumbledore is so moving and the scenes on the lake so dark and upsetting and frightening. They almost need Hitchcock to translate them.

It will be a very interesting film and I predict, if done well, it could be the best of the lot.