Is it a good movie? Yes.....Is it too rushed? Yes.

Rating: 7/10 (11 December 2005)

I saw this film the night it was released, and I had been waiting a very long time for this one, and what I expected to see was a masterpiece. What I got in return was a choppy and rushed film. The scenes were too rushed, a lot of major plot points were missing that should have been there, and the scenes that needed to be cut were there instead. The Tri-Wizard tournament was good, but there were things in those tasks that were importantly missing, and parts added that were never there in the first place. Now, nevertheless, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire stands as the best book turned movie in the Potter franchise. Some reasons: The new director, Mike Newell, is the first Brit to direct a Potter film, and he brings some good humor and visuals to 'Goblet.' His ability to create a world of happiness and darkness at the same time was remarkable.
He also brought some good performances out of the child actors as well as the adults. Daniel Radcliffe has grown into his Harry Potter role quite nicely; Emma Watson makes a very pretty and still always on top of things, Hermione Granger; and Rupert Grint was hilarious as the clumsy, red headed Ron Weasley. As for the adults, they handles their scenes professionally and charismatically, except for Michael Gambon, whose Dumbledore doesn't do it for me. The grandfather figure that we would expect from Dumbledore is no where to be found, and the replacement over the great Richard Harris still stands as a bad choice in my opinion.
The two stand outs, however, are Michael Glesson as Mad Eye Moody and Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort.
Glesson brings a strong presence to his role, and he brought Alaster Moody out just the way I had pictured him, even if he is a tad bit zany. As for Fiennes, his Voldemort was right on target. Not over the top, with a cold, perfect subtleness that is chillingly scary, Fiennes gives Voldemort an evilness we rarely see in a lot of movies these days. Plus, his lack of nose made it even cool.
So, finally, Harry Potter 4 is a good book turned movie for entertainment, and it stands at number 1. For story telling and plot, and ranks at the bottom. I'm sorry, Mike Newell and the Potter team, it was a good effort. Just next time, I would suggest reading other chapters besides the chapters on the Tri-Wizard Tournament.