The series is beginning to pick up

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2005)

It seems to me that each new Harry Potter film is greeted with the same enthusiasm and expectation. Will the films become better? Will the three central performances improve? However, the films seem to produce disappointment. But with the third instalment, things began to pick up under the charming direction of Alfonso Cuaron and now in the fourth instalment things are continuing down the same route.
This instalment shows a wonderful improvement in the performances of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson. Much of the credit for this must go to the script which provides the threesomes characters with events and themes which they will be experiencing at the moment, therefore making it easier for them to act. Furthermore, the supporting cast has strengthened. Michael Gambon is excellent in what is a pivotal performance for Dumbledore. Brendan Gleeson delivers a brilliant character performance as "Mad-Eye" Moody whilst Ralph Fiennes is fantastic and memorable as Voldemort.
Technically the film is dazzling. The visual effects are outstanding and fit in the beautifully shot world of Hogwarts. The music, which lost the care of the experienced and versatile John Williams for the most part, was brilliant even though it lost some of the continuity that was gained by this film.
Mike Newell has made a superb effort at taking the helm of such a mammoth series. His British touch in the direction has actually given the film an air of the British public school that helps to inject a bizarre and obscure form of humour, which adds to genuinely witty script, provided by Steve Kloves who will not be adapting the next film but will be back for the Half-Blood Prince. It is a little too long, but it can be excused for this as there is so much material in the books to be squeezed in to the short time space provided.
A very enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours and a film that shows much promise for the future, Goblet of Fire is entertaining, well-made and emotive.