Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Movies based on books have a lot to live up to. When it comes to translating a well-loved series to the screen, it compounds the issue. Many fans want the films to be 6 hour events with every detail included, every line of dialogue included and Hermione's dress to be the right color just like it was on page 183. Needless to say, several people just aren't going to be pleased no matter what. I've become a loyal fan of the books (a "Potterhead" as a friend likes to say) and I was very pleased with this movie. It isn't everything it could've been, but it was very good. It might've benefitted from an extra hour, but the same is true for most page-to-screen adaptations.

Victor Krum and the titular Goblet of Fire.

The 4th installment in the series brings the prestigous Triwizard Tournament to Hogwart's. This tournament is a large scale, highly dangerous event with participants from Hogwart's as well as 2 other wizarding schools. These events overshadow some dark happenings in the wizarding world, this film is the darkest one yet which I like. The film is pretty loyal to the book, moreso than Prisoner of Azkaban was anyways, and while there are some characters and points left out (nary a house elf in sight) the good stuff is pretty much in tact. The pacing is a little fast for me though, it sometimes has the feeling of rushing from major plot point to major plot point. The appearance of the Dark Mark didn't have the impact it did in book, nor did the presence of Rita Skeeter. Again, I suppose it's the price one pays for adapting from a book.

Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in Goblet of Fire.

There is quite a lot of action, as well some humor that actually worked this time (they included the wonderful ferret scene.) The failed attempts at humor really brought the 3rd film down for me. There is some teenage drama, but that's to be expected; the characters are 14-15 years old. The acting is mostly solid. I thought Emma Watson was overacting a bit, but I'm guessing she was directed that way. Newcomer Brendan Gleeson does a fine job as Mad-Eye Moody, the school's 4th Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in as many years. Ralph Fiennes plays an excellent Voldemort and I look forward to seeing him get more screen time in upcoming installments. And Alan Rickman simply is Professor Snape. My only real complaint is with Michael Gambon as Professor Dumbledore. Richard Harris had presence, he brought authority, sensitivity, humor and class to the role. Gambon's Dumbledore is too intense and not warm enough. I'm afraid that the character's relationship with Harry which is so prominent in the books will suffer because of this. It already has.

All told, I really enjoyed Goblet of Fire. I think most reasonable fans of the books will appreciate it as well. The series is moving in a more adult direction, the young actors are continuing to grow into their characters. I'm really looking forward to Order of the Phoenix, my favorite book in the series. The books will always be better than the films, but don't let that keep you from Goblet of Fire.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire earns 3.5 Mad-Eye Moodys out of 4