Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Watching a Harry Potter film must be a very different experience for everyone. On one hand if, like me, you are a big fan of the books and know them well, then it's hard to not think about how the films are different. If you aren't a fan, in a way, you may gain more enjoyment by the fact that you're not weighed down by a) expectation, or b) the knowledge of what has to happen, what is important etc. After thinking a lot about it, and looking at it as a film in it's own right - I really like it. It's definitely the best of the films so far, but that's probably because the material is the strongest yet. Goblet of Fire is arguably my favourite book and generally I'm releived that it has so faithfully been recreated on the screen. The film concerns Harry's entry into the Triwizard tournament, an inter-school challenge that takes place over the school year. One thing the film does is jump straight into the film, quite rightly I think it assumes you have some prior knowledge of the characters or films before viewing. Much in the same way that the later Lord of the Rings films assumed you'd watched the earlier ones so does this. The film runs at over 2 and a half hours, yet it rarely stops for breath. This is an action packed and complex film. While many areas have been simplified and changed (necessarily) from the huge book, it is still a lot to take in and non-fans may well be confused by the amount of new characters, events and lack of sufficient explanation at the end. Then again solmething that certainly plauged the first two films was the explanatory speech at the end, if you have been watching closely and remember the earlier films it does all fit into place well and I'm glad the film doesn't spoon feed you all the explanation. Acting wise this is hands down the best film yet, there are still a couple of awkward moments, usually from lesser characters, but generally the actors fir their roles better than ever. Dan Radcliffe has become Harry in this, and he's come on leaps and bounds since the third film. Rupert Grint is the most natural of the three as Rona and Emma Watson sometimes tries too hard, but is still good as Hermione. As usual the adults are great, joined this time by Brendan Gleeson who steals the show as Mad-eye Moody, and an unrecognisable Ralph Feinnes as the evil Voldemort. The difference Mike Newell brings to the series is that it feels more like a British boarding school, the characters are growing up and hormoes are flying everywhere. There is a lot of great humour in the film and none of it feels forced or cheap. It is a genuinely entertaining film that impresses throughout. The special effects are as great as you'd expect and really add to the universe that has been created. The film manages the dark tone of the book well and works well as a transition from the earlier adventures to the darker times ahead. The scenes at the end are especially powerful and well done, something often shied away from in supposed children's films. The only copmplaints I have is that even at its current length the film feels rushed. Audiences happily sat through all three Lord of the Rings films which clocked in at over 3 hours, and an extra 15 minutes would have helped the rushed feeling the film can have. This is most noticable at the start where it feels too much is crammed into too small a time frame. If ever a film called for an extended DVD then this is it, something that probably won't happen, but it's nice to imagine! As it is this is an excellent film which should satisfy most Potter fans, there may be outrage at what was missed out - especially some important events at the end of the book - but anyone whose seen and liked the other films should love this. Action packed, emotional and funny this is a great film that on the whole does a great book justice. A superb adaptation given the circumstances and a great entry into the series. Taking the darker tone of the book and trimming alll the fat this is a lean thriller that could have done with a bit more flow and explanation especially at the opening, but that should satisfy both fans and non fans alike.