‘Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire’
4 Popcorn
“Dark and difficult times lie ahead, Harry. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right . . . and what is easy.”
Finally, after having to wait for what seemed like centures since “Prisoner of Azkaban” – “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” has arrived. The first Potter movie to have a PG-13 rating, the film is geared more towards teens.
Despite speculation over how lengthy it should have been – the books are also increasing in length each time another is published – “Goblet” is actually a few minutes shorter than the second film, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
Although some fans were upset that “Goblet” was not divided into two parts, the film ultimately is far from disappointing. However, a lot of parts from the novel were cut from the film – including any appearance of the Dursleys (not that I’m complaining).
This year, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) – “The Boy Who Lives” – gets entered into the Triwizard Tournament (in which one student from each of three participating wizarding schools competes in increasingly difficult tasks) as the fourth wizard to participate. He battles alongside fellow Hogwarts student, Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson); Fleur Delacour (Clèmence Poèsy) of Beauxbatons; and Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski) of Durmstrang.
Harry Battles through the tasks with the help of his friend Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), only to find himself yet again facing not only Dark Magic, but Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) himself!
From portkeys to Yule Balls and pensieves to Hungarian Hortails – “Goblet of Fire” is what we Potter fanatics need. Everything is so fast-paced and done in anticipation of what the next few films will bring.
Not sure where that leaves the non-fanatics, but for fans, the first three books and movies explored the magical aspect of the extraordinary world that J.K. Rowling has presented us.
Now that cozy feeling is leaving us and the singe that Harry feels in the scar on his forehead is what we are feeling. We’re now faced with the hardships thrown in our presence by the Dark Arts. It all unwinds to one simple battle: good versus evil.
“Dark and difficult times lie ahead,” said Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). And indeed they do.
Movie meter
4 Popcorn: You’ll want to see this twice.
3 Popcorn: Worth the 10 bucks.
2 Popcorn: Wait for the video.
1 Popcorn: Don’t bother, something better is on TV.
