Flawed, but good.

Rating: 8/10 (20 November 2005)

This is the first Harry Potter movie to be directed by a British director. Mike Newell takes the helm , and produces a visual feast of wonderous special effects, and drama. The first three movies, have all been fantastic, and faithfully followed the story, almost to the word. Upon watching "Goblet of Fire", I actually found myself being disappointed. From the first scene, there are subtle changes made to the story, so they can keep the film at a reasonable run time. In fairness, the book is almost three times as long as previous ones, so the film could have made the 4 hour mark, however, for those of you that have read the book, will find these "changes" quite annoying. It ruined, unfortunately, my enjoyment of the film. But if we gloss over that, and focus on the good points.
This is the first Harry Potter to receive a 12A certificate. So parents, be warned. This is a much MUCH darker outing, in which we see our first student die. It also contains a fair bit of violence, which some younger viewers may find a little bit frightening, including a sacrificial scene which is a bit gruesome. Slightly more naughty language, and some innuendos , as our intrepid young wizards have now reached the age in which hormones start to cause havoc, and they all have one thing on their minds.
We get to see many new characters, including harry's "love", Cho Chang (played wonderfully by newcomer Katie Leung). Also, Brendan Gleeson plays the role of eccentric ex-Auror, Professor Alastor Moody, who has some wonderfully amusing, and occasionally dark scenes, which continues to set the scary over-tone of the whole movie.
As with the other Harry Potter movies, the special effects are second to none, including an exhilarating dragon chase around Hogwarts, a fantastically claustrophobic underwater sequence, and then the terrifying maze finalé, in which we get to see, for the first time, Harry's nemesis Lord Voldermort (played by the exceptional Ralph Fiennes) in physical form. Plenty of Brit-actors abound, including the new Doctor Who, David Tennant, appearing as Barty Crouch Jnr, son of Bartemius Crouch (played by Roger Lloyd Pack). Old favourites are back, including Ginny, Fred & George, Hagrid & Neville.
Another one of the reasons why I didn't like this movie so much, was the fact John Williams was not providing the music. I was devastated. John Williams made Harry Potter, with his fantastic haunting tracks, which really dragged you into the world of Muggles, Wizards and quidditch. Patrick Doyle provides the music for this one, and I am happy to say, he does it justice. We do get hints of the famous "Hedwigs Theme" throughout, as well as being treated to Jarvis Cocker singing some rock music for the Yule Ball, including "Can you dance like a hippogriff". Wonderful.
I was quite disappointed we didn't actually get to see any of the quidditch action from the World Cup, or the fact we only get to see Harry battle the dragon, or Harry performing the second task, etc. It would have been great to see a little bit of the other guys, but once again, I was left feeling unsatisfied.
Unfortunately, as most of the book is cut out, some people may be left feeling a little confused, or unfulfilled. The Duresleys are unfortunately missing from the movie, as well as Mrs Weasley, and the two new weasleys that we meet in the book, Bill & Charlie. But this aside, if I was to look at the film as a stand-alone action packed kids film, I would say I loved it. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and the special effects are breath-taking, and really helped you get into the whole swing of things.
But being a fan of the book, and as an adaptation of such a great book, I didn't like it so much. It could have been so much more. I was quite happy to sit through 3 and a half hours of Lord of the Rings, and I'd be just has happy to sit through the same with Harry Potter. Maybe at some point, their might be some kind of Extended Version, with never-before seen footage... who knows.
On the whole, its an enjoyable film, and as its near Christmas, will keep the little ones quiet. May I just offer one piece of advice to those who have read the book. Forget what happens in the book. Go see the film with a clear frame of mind, and you will enjoy it more.