Growing Up Potter
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by Shawn Snead / November 25th, 2005
Older. Darker. Better.
That is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the brilliant fourth installment in the popular franchise.
Now, I'm a fan of the first three films. However, I always had a problem with the tediousness of the franchise. The first three films are entertaining, but there wasn't much that resonated with me. This all changes in Goblet of Fire. The first half of the film was a bit long, a bit safe, but it gradually gets darker, gets a bit more mature. Two things the franchise needed, it needed to grow up. God knows its characters have.
This film takes us deeper into the darkness of Wizardry. Harry's fourth year at Hogwarts brings the Quiddith World Cup and the Triwizard Tournament, in which student representatives from three different wizarding schools compete in a series of increasingly challenging contests. However, everything is turned upside down by the return of the Dark Lord Voldemort. Dumbledore and the other teachers know that Harry is no longer safe. Dark and difficult times lie ahead, indeed.
The film features some just terrific acting, the best in the series. Radcliffe, Watson, Grint continue to mature in their craft, with exceptional work by Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. Of course the big story in Goblet of Fire is Lord Voldemort. For the first time, we see him in all his glory. Only on-screen for about ten minutes, Fiennes is marvelous as the menacing antagonist. The visual effects, as always, are dazzling.
The Goblet of Fire isn't just a great work in a series of films, it can stand alone as a very entertaining, enthralling picture. A true achievement.
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Warner Bros.
Running Time: 2 Hours, 30 Minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images.
Release Date: Friday, November 18th, 2005
Viewed: Tuesday, November 22nd, 2005
Starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), Brendan Gleeson (Alastor 'MadEye' Moody), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall), Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Katie Leung (Cho Chang), Michael Gambon (Albus Dumbledore), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort)
Produced By David Heyman
Written By Steven Kloves (based on the novel by J.K. Rowling)
Directed By Mike Newell
posted by Shawn Snead @ 11/25/2005 02:07:00 PM
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