The very best yet!

Rating: 10/10 (22 November 2005)

As a massive fan of both books and movies, each in their own right, it seems that I personally have an easier time with the Harry Potter adaptations than other viewers. I went into this installment knowing that certain things had been cut and anticipating that still more things would be. I also went with an understanding that first and foremost this story is about *Harry*--anything that doesn't directly propel his storyline is fair game to find itself on the cutting room floor.
That being said, I think Goblet of Fire is truly the most remarkable of the Harry Potter films to date. The imagery is beautiful and intense, and the acting is greatly improved, especially by Daniel Radcliffe who has certainly grown in his comfort level on screen and pulls off his emotional scenes flawlessly this time around. I was also pleased with Michael Gambon's job as Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. I loved Richard Harris, and I believe that had he lived on he would have continued to be the perfect Dumbledore, but what the naysayers must keep in mind is that Dumbledore is not only a kindly, chuckling old man, he is also fierce and powerful and, regrettably, fallible--something which I think Gambon is embracing more fully in his own portrayal. He needs only to add back that element of Harris-like nobility and quiet charm, and his Dumbledore could very well be spot on.
Now, being such a fan of JK Rowling's books, I understand completely where others come from when they complain about the little changes, but what confuses me is that when I walked out of the theater at 2:30am on November 18th, I was thinking to myself that GOF had been *very* booky in fact, and an excellent movie besides! For me, the prior knowledge of the book just fills in the gaps for whatever was cut in the film and enriches the experience.
I think the negative viewers sometimes narrow their gaze too completely on what was left out and subsequently overlook the little details, straight from the book, that were left in. For instance: Fred asking Angelina to the Yule Ball; the "Potter Stinks" buttons; Madame Maxime's flying horses only drinking "single malt whiskey"; Moaning Myrtle's talk of disappearing bubbles. It's things like that, I think, that make it very clear that the movie makers really DO care about the books and those of us fans who read them. The fact that Dobby wasn't included to serve a purpose easily served in other ways frankly doesn't bother me at all.
My only issue with this film is that it will undoubtedly be much more difficult to understand for those audiences who haven't read the book. However, those that *have* been fortunate enough to have read Rowling's masterpiece should go to see this movie and try to keep an open mind about it. All the best scenes are there, don't worry. And the heart-and-soul is still the same.