The best so far

Rating: 8/10 (18 November 2005)

Well, courtesy of Bayer I got to see the latest adaptation of the incredibly popular (and dare I say trendy) series by J.K. Rowling a few hours before its official release. Screenwriter Steve Kloves as well as director Mike Newell and producer David Heyman certainly had their work cut out for them condensing this 700-plus page book into 150 minutes, and they delivered marvelously.
**WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD**
From the opening moments, it is easy to tell that this film is indeed, as the lovely and talented Emma Watson put it, "Bang, bang, bang, adventure to next adventure." From the time know-it-all Hermione Granger (Watson) wakes up her best mates Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) to the time the Quidditch World Cup campsite is burned down, about 5 minutes has passed. We then follow, in rapid succession, the announcement of the Tri-Wizard Tournament (of which Harry gets his name mysteriously submitted), the fall-out between him and Ron, a lesson with Mad-Eye Moody, the first task (which has a twist not seen in the book), the make-up scene, and before you know it, Hermione is coming down looking stunningly beautiful for the Yule Ball. We then shoot into a rather suggestive scene where we see a topless Harry being hit on by Moaning Myrtle, the second task, Harry and Snape loathing each other, and finally into the third task and the Graveyard scene.
This is where Dan truly shines as an actor. His emotional performance with being tortured and watching a classmate murdered, and seeing his arch-nemesis being re-born, is a drastic improvement from the dismal "HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!!" in the third movie. As for the big V... well, the special effects on him are rather noticeable, cheapening the evil that he represents. However, Ralph Fiennes more than compensates for this by his outstanding talent. Him torturing Harry at a single touch makes you shiver in terror, and it is this scene that gives the movie it's PG-13 rating.
As for the others, Grint puts up a convincing performance (his murderous look when Harry is selected is very scary indeed), and Watson herself makes a real effort, however due to the quirkiness of the script her character is very forced. This movie also shows how well the three (especially Dan and Emma) get along with each other. Michael Gambon leaves much to be desired, however, and Alan Rickman's performance does not fit the unkindly Professor Snape very well at all. David Tennant will have you thinking he is a mad-man, and Brendan Gleeson hints that he is a little too evil for a dark-wizard catcher. Miranda Richardson is your quintessential tabloid reporter, although her character is not well-defined as it is in the books.
Overall, this movie is worth your money, however those not familiar with the books might consider reading at least the 700-some-odd pages that is Goblet of Fire, otherwise you will be very confused at times. Consider it a companion piece.
Overall: 8/10