I do wonder why I even point out that books tend to be different than movies.  They always have more information and always offer more insight.  And in the case of Azkaban it actually made me like a character more.  Another thing not worth mentioning is the Dursley's.  Harry's time there is always different if only because it seems shorter in the movie.

The first difference was the Sneakoscope, an item used to tell if someone is being untrustworthy.  It simply was not in the movie.  Next was the boggart in the wardrobe.  When Ron goes up against it in the book its legs disappear.  I guess the moviemakers didn't think that would look right.  Fear of PETA I suppose.  (Fuck PETA!)

It's now at this point that I should mention Quidditch.  Quidditch figures very prominently in the books.  Quidditch is to wizards and witches what futbol is to Europe.  About halfway through the book when Harry's broom is destroyed by the Whomping Willow another, newer model arrives.  No one knows who sent it.  I needed to mention the broom since when his broom is destroyed in the movie that marks the last of Quidditch.

Sir Cadogen takes over for the Fat Lady.  He proves to be a pain in the butt by changing the password all the time.  We learn that Sirius gets into the dorm because Neville loses the passwords.  This was filmed but fortunately cut from the film.  Much like Peeves I'm glad he didn't make it to the film.

That brings me to Professor Trelawny.  Emma Thompson is absolutely wasted in this movie.   When I saw the movie I was really annoyed by this character.  After I read the book I wished the movie version was more like the book version.  She was a nut.  Completely and utterly a nut.  And I think she may have been my favorite character.  Sure some other may choose Sirius as their favorite, but not me.  Bring on the crazy ones.  (Like Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys.  Crazy and a scene stealer!)

Why is it when Pettigrew goes from rat to human he's clothed but when he goes from human to rat he leaves his clothes behind?

My biggest complaint about the first two movies was showing the passage of time.  The books always did it well.  The third movie uses the Whomping Willow in a Monty Python-esque way.

And no Voldemort.  Of course he wasn't in the book either.  I just thought it was strange.  That's all.

And since this is supposed to be about the Blu-Rays let's discuss my favorite part: the bonus features.  The interviews are always enlightening.  I would have liked more on the dementors.   I appeciated how they got the actor's movements to match the hippogryph.  SFX people have too much fun.  I'm kinda jealous.  Why is there no commentary?  That's what's been missing!!  it took me 'til right now to figure that out.

I am now reading the next book.  We'll see how that one goes.