Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire Review
by Steve Rhodes (Steve DOT Rhodes AT InternetReviews DOT com)November 16th, 2005
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2005 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): **
Continuing in the tradition of its predecessors, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE preaches to the choir. If you're a fan of the Harry Potter books, you'll probably enjoy this overly long reading from the Rowling scriptures. But, if you are like me and have never read the books or ever wanted to, you'll probably find that this latest adaptation of the wildly popular novels will leave you little reason to care.
Directed by Mike Newell, whose last picture was the disappointing and lame MONA LISA SMILE, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE is surprisingly dreary. Since the kids are now 14 -- but look 17 -- they finally get to do some more mature activities, including dancing. At a fancy dress ball, Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) briefly enlivens the picture with a sweet gown and her signature smile. But most of the movie is a bit on the bleak side and is confusing to boot. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), whose wizardry skills are top notch, proves less adroit on the dance floor.
The movie does have its funny moments, as when a rebellious student is turned into a ferret by his teacher. The plot of the story concerns the Tri-wizard Tournament, in which one champion from three different magic schools is to be chosen to engage in three dangerous games each. Hogwarts ends up with two champions, one of which is Harry. Another nice joke, worth a small smile, is the button that the students wear. It says "Harry Stinks" in changing letters. Most of the movie, however, with its thin characterizations, especially of the new characters, is a certain recipe for slumber. Also, be forewarned that younger members of the audience could easily be frightened by many of the images.
If you've seen the trailers, you're probably excited about seeing HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, but, although the trailers sizzle, the movie fizzles. It's for fans only. (And maybe not even for them, see the comments from my son below.)
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE runs a full hour too long at 2:37. It is rated PG-13 for "sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images" and would be acceptable for kids around 11 and up.
My son Jeffrey, age 16 and a Harry Potter fan, gave the movie ** 1/2, saying that, although he liked it, it was the weakest one so far. He said that he was getting sick of the Harry Potter formula in which the villain is always Voldemort, who didn't seem particularly evil. He pointed out that other similar series have different villains each time. He also complained that the action felt rushed and confused and the editing was off.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, November 18, 2005. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the AMC theaters, the Century theaters and the Camera Cinemas.
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