Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Dark, Captivating and Absolutely Magnificent

Rating: 10/10 (19 November 2005)

This is the article I wrote for my university's newspaper after seeing the film.
Sex, scandal, ruthless battles, violence, blood rituals, torture, dismemberment and murder. Yes, I am talking about the fourth installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, based on the best-selling book series by J.K. Rowling. The film opened November 18th with the series' first ever, and well deserved, PG-13 rating. Harry has officially grown up.
The role of Harry Potter is reprised by Daniel Radcliffe, with Rupert Grint returning as Ron and Emma Watson as Hermione. The remainder of the cast that has been in the previous three films remains the same, with the exception of Michael Gambon reprising the role of Dumbledore, which was originally held in the first two films by the late Richard Harris. The main newcomers to the cast are Miranda Richardson as the manipulative journalist Rita Skeeter, Robert Pattinson as the Hogwat's Golden Boy Cedric Diggory and Ralph Fiennes as the infamous Voldemort.
As it now seems to be customary, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is helmed by a new director, Mike Newell, best known for the film Four Weddings and a Funeral, and is the series' first British director.
The plot of the forth film varies significantly from it's predecessors, as this is not an ordinary school year. This year, Hogwart's hosts the prestigious Triwizard Tournament, where a student from Hogwarts, as well as two students from other wizarding schools, competes to be champion and win "eternal glory." The tournament is not to be taken lightly, as it involves three grand and fatally dangerous tasks and spans the entire the school year. The Goblet of Fire chooses the contenders from each school, and trouble begins when the three proper contenders are chosen, and suddenly Harry is chosen by the Goblet to compete as well, even though he never entered his name.
For those of you that are fans of the books as well, you should know that the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is far too long to include everything. Many sections are either rushed through or completely cut out of the film, but nothing of great importance to the main plot. If they were to include everything, you would be watching a film that's twice as long as The Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition, so be thankful.
This is by far the best Harry Potter film of the series and one of the best films of the year. Every aspect of the Harry Potter world has grown, from the spectacular CGI work that would rival George Lucas to how much the three primary actors have grown in their ability to actually act well.
Goblet of Fire is quick in pace, never leaving a dull moment and always drawing you in. Watching this film, I was so engrossed in the Harry Potter world that I actually didn't tell off the yammering little twits behind me, because they simply disappeared into the unimportant background.
A great deal has been made of how dark the film is, but in actuality, the dark elements are mostly confined to one specific section. The bulk of Goblet of Fire is filled with intensity, apprehension and of course humour, which has also gotten considerably better in this film.
As for that specific dark section I mentioned, it is very dark, very intense and very emotional. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say that while watching this section, I don't think I even blinked at the risk of missing a fraction of a second. And I'm not one that is easily swayed to tears at even the sappiest of films, but I almost did in this instance, solely due to its power.
My only criticism would have to be what I said was a good thing earlier. The film seemed a little rushed and this is due to Newell's determination to keep the Goblet of Fire at exactly two and a half hours. But, we're all pretty much grown up now and I think we can handle three hours. Hell, if Peter Jackson can do it, so can we.
If you take anything away from this review, it should be this: You don't have to be a fan to watch this film. You don't have to have read the books. You don't even have to see the first three. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has universal appeal and I urge you to give it chance.