Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (PG-13)
Mike:
Mike: Today I am reviewing the newest Harry Potter
adventure Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Scott: I was detainted in a Turkish Prison and can't review this movie.
Mike: Yes, so, it's just me today.
Goblet of Fire is Harry and his pals fourth year at the Hogwarts school and this movie encompasses the spectacle of the Triwizards tournament as well as the impending return of "you know who". If you "don't know who", then you are one of the few people who hasn't read a Harry Potter book or seen a Harry Potter movie. By the way, it's Valdemort, the epitome of evil in these stories.
So what did I think?
This just may be the best of the four Harry Potter films. The movie has a little bit of everything; action, humor, thrills, drama, and magic. I think that director Mike Newell has done an excellent job. The cinematography and the special effects are fantastic. The acting by the kids and the adults is first rate.
Newell is probably most famous for Four Weddings and a Funeral, but he has previously shown his range in other films like Donnie Brasco and Pushing Tin. It's actually kind of nice to have an Englishman direct a Harry Potter film. He brings a British schoolboy perspective that Chris Columbus and Alfonso Cuaron could not. I think the school life, teen awkwardness phase of the film is what gives it its heart. The centerpiece of this film is the Yule Ball and the preparations leading up to it. The reality of the fear and anxiety of having to ask out girls and dance in front of other kids is poignant and funny. And very real.
After three other enjoyable outings, this feels like a chance to visit with old friends. Sitting down to watch the movie is like sitting down to read the book and thinking "I wonder what the gang is up to?" It's also very comforting to see the great collection of actors together that represent the faculty. How can you go wrong with Michael Gambon (Dumbledore), Alan Rickman (Snape), Dame Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) and introducing Brendan Gleason ("Mad Eye" Moody) as the latest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. That's the one teaching position where you should always keep your resume current in these films. Throw in Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter) and Ralph Fiennes (Valdemort) and you have yourself a party.
The three principals, Harry, Ron and Hermione have improved with age. It's a treat to watch how these three musketeers interact. It's obvious they have a genuine camaraderie that is built by the things they have shared together over the course of making four films. This really conveys the friendship that the characters have built over their time at Hogwarts together.
Many people consider Goblet of Fire to be the best of the first four books. So its no surprise that this is a contender to be the best of the films. At 700+ pages, this is also the longest of the batch. This means something has to go if you want to make a film that is less than 6 hours long. Fortunately for us, the film is only about 2 ½ hours long. Luckily, Steve Kloves has a done an excellent job of condensing and adapting the story. Some things are completely missing: Hermione's fight to free the house elves. Some things are abbreviated: The International Quidditch match at the beginning of the book. And some things are just right: Yes, you will get to see Malfoy turned into ferret!
There is plenty of action and suspense. Fans will be thrilled to see the three trials of the Triwizard tournament realized. The dragon effects are particularly amazing. If I was to find fault with one thing in the film it is that the dragon scene goes on much too long. It's as if the digital animators were trying to show off their skills, rather than advance the plot. It's pretty, but it starts to get old. Another highlight is the showdown between Harry and "you know who". I also want to mention that I was quite impressed with the entrance of the students from the visiting Beau Batons and Durmstrang schools. The siren-like girls of Beau Batons entrance into the banquet hall is eye-catchingly choreographed Opposite this is the acrobatic, almost circus-like entrance of the very serious athletic boys from Durmstrang. Both scenes stuck with me for their visual flair.
People keep talking about how the films keep getting darker. This movie is the first of the series rated PG-13. There are some dark elements to the film, but I don't think that is the thrust of this film. I think Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban actually has a much darker tone to it. The scariest scene is Harry's confrontation with "you know who". Frankly, I thought the scene at the end of Return of the Jedi with the Emperor, Darth Vader and Luke was scarier and more emotional. My 6 and 9 year old nephews assured me that they don't think that Star Wars scene is too scary. So I think that many kids under 13 will not have a problem with this.
Another familiar and top notch element is the score by John Williams.
In case you can't tell, I loved this movie. I give this movie an overall rating of 4 out of 5 and a 5 out of 5 for a Harry Potter movie.
Just remember that after this movie, "things are going to change".
