I went and saw the fourth installment of the Harry Potter series on Friday night, and I was not disappointed. Although some have pointed out that this film is a bridge to upcoming events, it still dazzled me enough to make this my favorite HP movie to date.
Gone are the house elves (Dobby is a funny little thing though) and Hermoine’s S.P.E.W. This movie highlights the angst of teenagerhood (all those hormones and complex relationships) and the Triwizard Tournament. Every five years the three big wizarding schools, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Hogwarts, get together for a little friendly competition. Each school has their own champion that competes. Somehow, Harry’s name is put into the Goblet of Fire. No one under 17 is allowed to enter. Harry is three years too young. Evil is afoot, but once the Goblet selects your name, there is no turning back. So Harry, along with Cedric Diggory, compete for Hogwarts.
Most of you who read the book know how this movie ends, so I won’t give it away for the non-readers. Mike Newell does an amazing job creating a dark, action packed, visually enticing film. The CGI characters are seamlessly integrated with the live action characters, kicking the digital revolution up a notch. The dragons are nothing short of astounding and the underwater challenge was very creative. The final challenge left me a little flat, hoping for a little more time in the maze, but knowing that the third challenge is only a stepping stone to the final grievous act, I think the writer/director did a great job getting us ready for it.
As I mentioned earlier, gone are the house elves who are key to part of the main story and the side story, so writer Steve Kloves does an excellent job rearranging the characters and events to accommodate their absence. Never read the series but enjoy the movies, what you don’t know, you won’t miss. Great script.
My only complaint is the relative absence of Rita Skeeter, unregistered animagus and scourge of Hermione Granger. Hermione shines in the book as she takes Skeeter down a whole bunch of pegs by uncovering the secret of her sneaky information gathering for her scandalous articles. Skeeter was only in a few scenes in the movie. I wish they had done more with her character and story. However, when you pare down a 734-page book to a 2-½ movie, something has to go.
The Goblet of Fire does carry a PG-13 rating and I think it if fully warranted. There are some frightening images and situations that younger children will definitely find disturbing.
Worth the full price of admission. I can’t wait to go again and spend my hard earned dollars.
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