Thrilling at times but a big disappointment regarding details

Rating: 5/10 (19 November 2005)

I am beginning to wonder if this movie franchise is becoming "the thing to do" directorially speaking concerning the last two HP "efforts". I feel that the dignity of the series is getting lost in dollars and cents. Watching GOF, I could not help but feel as though I had grabbed onto a port-key and was whisked forward at breakneck speed, seeing one scene painfully blurred into another. The book (which is a favorite in the series so far for many, myself included)is very detailed and I am sure anyone would sit through a three hour GOF to see on screen what their mind's eye saw as they read the book. Not that another half hour would cover everything in the book but at least the viewer might not feel as though they've been shot out of a cannon landing head first in a soggy Quidditch field. The scope of the GOF story is a tremendous epic and I agree with many fans that way too many vital details have been left out completely. This is a shame because many of the subplots lead into the next story. Most disturbing, especially if you are a fan of the book is the fact that some of what is shown on screen has been altered unnecessarily. For what purpose? Yet, the feel of this story and the series does come across on screen.
The movie soundtrack, music composed by Patrick Doyle, is utterly spectacular. However, John William's haunting HP theme(Hedwig's)is only hinted at in GOF. A sign of innocence lost? The theme, which we've all come to love seemed to frame and shape the previous stories. Now it appears as though it has been flushed in Moaning Myrtle's toilet and lodged helplessly somewhere in the u-bend. Can we get a plunger please, resurrect it, and include the theme in the next HP installment!?!?!?!?
Dan, Rupert, and Emma were great on screen. It is interesting to see their acting ability begin to really soar. The trio are definitely fun to watch as they help draw us deeper into the story. I agree with others in that Dumbledore did not appear steadfast and in control as in the previous movies. Yet, script aside, Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is great. The other regular's were just as good in their roles. I especially enjoyed Alan Rickman's Professor Snape. Rickman, a truly terrific actor, took a shaved down part and worked it beautifully. His intolerance for the trio keeps getting better and better with each movie. Miranda Richardson did justice to her Rita Skeeter character. Her role in the film was short but Miranda delivered her part flawlessly.
The Tri-Wizard Tournament which is the centerpiece of the story, translated from book to screen fairly well. The first task (which by the way, that Hungarian Horntail just may be the nastiest dragon on screen to date) was certainly thrilling. Yes, she did break free of her chain, contrary to the book, however in this case, I felt that her freedom to fly and chase Harry around the grounds and the rooftops of the castle itself only added to the tension of Harry's suicidal task. The second underwater task was very well done. Love those merpeople! The gillyweed, which helps Harry to breathe underwater was not given to Harry by Dobby the house elf but by Neville Longbottom which in turn was orchestrated by Barty Crouch Jr. A slight twist from the book. Speaking of house elves...none to be found in this massively trimmed movie version of the book. The third task was somewhat disappointing as there were no Hagrid raised Blast Ended Skrewts, Spiders or Sphinx to thwart the Champions efforts to succeed in getting the cup.
The cemetery scene in which Harry (and the viewers) finally see Voldemort's rebirth to true form is truly frightening and definitely creepy. Ralph Fiennes brings the biggest literary baddie in history to life in an elegant yet truly evil vision. The makeup for his character is remarkable, yet not overdone.
If you have not read the book, you will not fall under the spell of so many who expect more from the script and direction and will enjoy the film for what it is. For those who really love the GOF book, you may feel a bit like Sally in "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" who trusted Linus and missed a night of Halloween fun because she sat waiting for the Great Pumpkin, who of course never came. And like Sally you may feel slighted and ripped off for waiting on a movie that could not deliver all the goods.