A year later, Grint again starred as Ron in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (2002), the second instalment of the series. The film opened to positive reviews and critics generally enjoyed the lead actors' performances. Both "Los Angeles Times" and "New York Magazine" observed that Grint and his peers had matured between films, with the latter pointing out that Grint had become "more proficient" and said they missed "the amateurish ardour" the actor and Watson carried in "Philosopher's Stone". "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004) was released on 31 May in the UK. The film sees all three of its lead characters hover on the brink of adolescence, "and while they look braver and more capable than before, the dangers they face seem far more grave and their own vulnerability more intense." Alfonso Cuarón took over direction for "Prisoner of Azkaban" which remains the lowest-grossing "Harry Potter" film with US$795 million in revenue. Nonetheless it was the second highest-grossing movie of 2004 behind "Shrek 2".