Latest Harry Potter film on DVD

The latest Harry Potter movie comes to DVD on Tuesday, along with the first season of "Home Improvement" and a Lizzie McGuire box set.

"Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (Warner, 2004, PG, $29.95, two discs). When this film came out last summer, many critics suggested that it was the best of the series so far, and I'm inclined to agree. Director Alfonso Cuaron — replacing Chris Columbus, who was at the helm of the first two films — has injected energy, style and humor into the proceedings in a way that is much more satisfying.

The story has the Hogwarts school being locked down when evil wizard Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) escapes from Azkaban prison, and it's up to Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and friends to save the day — and Harry has a personal interest in doing so.

There are also some other new characters, including amusing professors played by Emma Thompson and David Thewlis. And Michael Gambon does well as headmaster Dumbledore, replacing the late Richard Harris. As fans have come to expect, there are plenty of bonus features, and some of the deleted scenes are pretty good.

Extras: Separate widescreen and full-frame editions, deleted/extended scenes, interview with J.K. Rowling and filmmakers, making-of featurettes, interactive games, trailers, DVD-Rom applications, language and subtitle options (English, French, Spanish), chapters.

"Home Improvement: The Complete First Season" (Buena Vista, 1991-92, not rated, $49.99, three discs). As with many TV sitcoms, this one was adapted from some of Tim Allen's stand-up comedy routines. But the show expanded on his ideas in a smart way and was a huge hit, running for eight years.

This first season set, including the pilot, is a lot of fun and apparently one that fans have been asking for for years. Allen, of course, plays a handyman who has a local Detroit cable-TV show but who's rather inept around the house, and each show goes between his "Tool Time" show and domestic situations at home.

Allen gets great support from Patricia Richardson as his long-suffering wife; Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Zachary Ty Bryan and Taran Noah Smith as their kids; Earl Hindeman as the never-completely-seen next-door neighbor, and Richard Karn as Allen's partner on the show. And in this season, the show-within-a-show's sexy "Tool Time Girl" is played by Pamela Anderson.

Extras: Full frame, 24 episodes, audio commentary (on selected episodes by co-creators Carmen Finestra and David McFadzean), outtakes, optional English subtitles, chapters.