What the hell were they playing at?

Rating: 10/10 (1 December 2005)

Having seen this film I was impressed with everything about it. The special effects, acting, music, locations etc were brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend anyone who hasn't seen it to do so. However, what annoyed me was the omission of certain bits from the film. Understandably, due to time constraints- keeping the film a manageable length, they could not include everything. I saw the stadium scenes in the trailer, and with these looking so spectacular, was hoping for a little more of that. However they barely focused on the Quiddich match at all, leaving out little details here and there such as the house elf Winky and her wrongful punishment for crimes she had not committed. We don't see her at all. In the book she comes with Barty Crouch JR hidden so he can watch. However he becomes free of his fathers constraints and it is he who conjures the dark mark hoping to scare both muggles, witches, wizards and especially those Death Eaters present who did not suffer in Askaban for Vodemort, like he did. He remains at large due to everyones belief that he died in Askaban some years previously and the fact that Winky was caught with the wand that did the spell. She covered up for him by removing the wand as he lay stunned and hidden from view. At Hogwarts, there is great speculation about the triwizard tournament and the contestants. Nosing around for store is one Rita Skeeter, journalist, busybody and gossip for the Daily Prophet. Inexplicably she is able to get great stories from inside the school despite being banned by Dumbledore. How does she do this? It is never mentioned. She sees harry collapse in Divination and declares him unfit for even attending school let alone the tournament. She catches Hermione with Krum and proclaims them to be an item, noting Hemione's taste for Quiddich players- him and Harry. We see, in the film, Hagrid and Madame Maxine talking about themselves but this scene remains unfinished. In the book we see Harry and Ron stuck outside listening to them, make a horrible discovery, that Hagrid is a half giant and so must she be. She denies it of course knowing that giants are fearsome, mean and violent and she'll get a reputation as being that to, or at least people will hate her or withdraw their children from her care. However, Harry and Ron are not the only ones listening in and the next day the front page of the Prophet has a full page article about Hagrid and his half giant status. How did she find out thinks Hemione who soon discovers the answer- she is an Animagus- that is, she can turn herself into a beetle and fly around picking up juicy tid bits about Hogwarts. Anyway. Go see the film and enjoy.