Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (**)

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.



Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com

Email:



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Steve Rhodes wrote:

[snip]
Since the kids are now 14 -- but look 17 -- they finally get to do some
more mature activities, including dancing.
[snip]

Is there are orchestra in the film?

Its a very important question to us he our music teacher's son was
filmed playing the cello for the film, although "movie magic" will have
changed it into another instrument. But they might have cut that bit ...

--
Penny Gaines
UK mum to three

In message . net, Steve
Rhodes writes
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.

Well, _that's_ only of interest to a highly small and select group,
then. ;-)


All the best,

Sarah

--
http://www.goodenoughmummy.blogspot.com

But how do we _know_ that nobody ever said on their deathbed that they wished
they’d spent more time at the office?

Steve Rhodes wrote:

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 --

Actually, regardless of how old they *look* they really are in their
mid teens. When the movie was made they were about 14-15. The first
movie was made in 2000 (but released in 2001) and they were all about
11 when they were cast. They've done a movie per year since then.

Cathy Weeks

Steve Rhodes wrote:
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.



Web: http://www.InternetReviews.com

Email:



************************************************** *********************



Want free reviews and weekly movie and video recommendations via Email?

Just send me a letter with the word "subscribe" in the subject line.