10 Underrated John Williams Tracks
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - A Window to the Past (2004)
The third Harry Potter film is the best Harry Potter film. Alfonso Cuaron brought an eccentric but respectful approach to the franchise. For the first time, the world of Harry Potter actually feels magical.
Williams worked on the previous films and Hedwig's Theme has rightfully become iconic. However, Chris Columbus is a very safe filmmaker and the music for those early entries felt restricted by the phrase "children's film". Here, Williams is able to explore and play around with his already established. It's a shame he never returned to the series because it feels like he was just getting started.
This piece, from the scene between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Professor Lupin (David Thewlis) showcases a beautiful flute melody. As Lupin talks about Harry's mother, it's as if Harry is finally meeting the long-dead Lily for the first time through her friend's memories of her.
One of the most powerful themes in the Harry Potter universe is that an generation of children must grapple with the mistakes and trauma of their parents, many of whom died fighting in an unfinished struggle. This quiet moment allows Harry to see his mother as a person, and not just a fallen soldier.