Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Review by Tim Basham

If there was any complaint about the Harry Potter films — which have been popping up almost as often as the bestselling books on which they’re based — it would be in the editing room, and by no fault of the editor.

The fact that producers considered splitting the most recent adaptation 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' into two films demonstrates how difficult it is to squeeze such a book into a two-hour feature (in this case, 2 hours and 37 minutes).

No one said filming a cultural sensation would be easy.

In Goblet it appears that evil Lord Voldemort is back. After Harry and his friends, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) attend the World Quidditch Cup with the rest of the Weasleys, their campgrounds are attacked and destroyed by Voldemort’s Death Eaters.

There’s more than a little confusion when Ministry of Magic officials show up and find a ghostly skull in the sky—Voldemort’s “Dark Mark”. It’s obviously bad news, but there isn’t a whole lot in the way of explanations.

Soon they are all at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the beginning of a new term, and a variety of new and interesting characters. There’s Mad Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson) the new Defense of the Dark Arts’ teacher whose roving eye can see through the back of his head.

And there’s Rita Skeeter (Miranda Richardson) The Daily Prophet’s tattling tabloid reporter. Cho Chang (Katie Leung) is introduced as Harry’s first romantic crush. In fact, hormones seem to be in abundance in Goblet with Hermione and even the giant Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) finding a bit of romance.

The big news this year is the Triwizard Tournament where three students from three separate wizarding schools are chosen by the magical Goblet of Fire to compete for the coveted trophy. Only students 18 and over can enter their names, but in an unexpected twist Harry Potter’s name is selected, surprising everyone including Harry. The now four contestants must make it through some extremely dangerous events to win, including one with fire-breathing dragons.

Perhaps because of the advancing ages of the main characters, “Goblet” strives to be even darker than the previous Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and earned the series its first mature rating.

If the filmmakers intended to please more of the adult audience, they have accomplished their goal. But if anyone thinks the stricter rating will keep grade schoolers away they’re, well, living in a fantasy world.

There are, however, some problems with Goblet, least of which is having the male leads (Harry and Ron) pass for 14-year-olds when they could easily play college freshmen.

More confusion comes in following the patchy storyline. In most instances, reading the book would help. But the Quidditch Cup/Death Eaters’ scene, for example, was greatly changed with little explanation so that even the book devotees will be bewildered.

And where were Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia? The mix of magic and Harry’s muggle (human) relations are always enjoyable.

Still, the film works well on many other levels. Michael Gambon returns in his role as Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts. His performance, as do those by Maggie Smith as Mrs. McGonagall and Alan Rickman as Harry’s least favourite teacher Severus Snape are always too short, but sweet nonetheless.

And in the scene where Harry must get by his chosen dragon to retrieve the golden egg containing the next clue, director Mike Newell chose to expand and greatly improve upon the book with a wonderfully creative aerial battle between Harry and the dragon.

The mature rating becomes clear near the end when Harry comes face to face with Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). And many misinformed (or just plain thoughtless) parents will undoubtedly bring their younger kids, even toddlers. So, don’t take the ranking lightly.

For many authors, writing successive novels on the same subject becomes a trap and the later books are never as good as the original. But author J.K. Rowling’s writing seems to improve as the characters grow in age. Books as meaty and eventful as these could almost warrant their own mini-series. That would, undoubtedly, add to the Potter phenomenon and fill in some of this film’s holes.

But as Professor Dumbledore says, “We must all face the choice between what is right, and what is easy.”

3.5 out of 5

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Australian release: Thursday the 1st of December, 2005.
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes.
Director: Mike Newell.
Website: Click here.

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