Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Warner Bros. Pictures
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Michael Gambon
The Verdict: While the movie stays true to the book, the mismatched ending will leave
viewers frustrated.
3 of 4 stars
For the most part, the directors for the previous three Harry Potter films, Chris Columbus and Alfonso Gueron, did a fair job of keeping the silver screen adaptations true to J.K. Rowling’s uber-famous book series. Thankfully, “Goblet of Fire” director Mike Newell follows the book almost religiously, maintaining the flow of the movie spot on to the flow of its written counterpart. Unfortunately, he renders it all obsolete at the end.
In all fairness, Newell did an excellent job directing the film version of the [debatably] best Potter book thus far. The cinematography shines. Every detail is finished immaculately, whether it’s an elaborate ballroom dance scene or an action sequence involving fire-breathing dragons and flying broomsticks. And though many parts of the book that were filmed hit the cutting room floor, the consistency of the story, while a bit convoluted at times, keeps viewers glued to their seats for two and a half hours.
For the non-Potterheads, the fourth installment of the Potter series chronicles the pubescent stage of life for The Boy Who Lived, but more so for his friends Ron and Hermione. Hormones rage as each character develops a crush on random characters, and Potter has to deal with his transition while simultaneously facing the trials of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, which he is mysteriously and predictably chosen to compete in, though he isn’t eligible.
Like the third film, “Goblet of Fire” is filled with dark undertones. More character development from minor characters, especially Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), take advantage of the darker parts of the movie. And this one definitely isn’t for the kids-at least not the little ones. Violence and horror are highly prominent at the beginning and climax of the film, and Ron has developed quite the foul mouth. However, older Potter fans will appreciate this one a lot more than the others.
What they won’t appreciate are the things Newell tampered with that he really shouldn’t have.
Hideous acting from Emma Watson (Hermione) will leave viewers begging for mercy. Though she has blossomed into quite an attractive young lady, her acting has dived into J.Lo territory.
Through fault by the director, the normally excellent Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore) makes everyone’s favorite headmaster an unbelievable character. The normally calm and collective Dumbledore takes a backseat to the cynical, overly-energetic Dumbledore that we’ve never seen or heard of. Hopefully they’ll slip him a magical Valium for “Order of the Phoenix.”
Believe it or not, it’s the ending that Newell screws up so horribly that takes the fire away from an otherwise excellent movie. Despite a horrible tragedy suffered by hundreds of students enrolled at Hogwarts, Harry’s psychological suffering and the extremely dark and graphic return of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, who threatens the entire existence of the magical and non-magical communities, the movie’s ending is a cheesy, cheery Barney-esque smeer to the film.
Hermione tells Ron and Harry to write her over the summer as they make their way out to wish Hogwarts’ visitors a warm farewell. Then they proceed to watch them leave while the backdrop of a sunset and river are accompanied by inspirational music. The only things missing were a rainbow and a dancing unicorn singing The 5th Dimension’s “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In.” I guess everyone forgot they could be dead any second. Oops.