Movie reflects the book well but with major omissions

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2005)

Book 4 is my favorite of the 6 so I was worried how the movie would butcher the book (I had avoided the first three movies because I didn't want the director's vision to interfere with what I thought the characters looked like). I was pleasantly surprised that the movie was very good. The Quidditch World Cup was glossed over, Winky and Ludo Bagman were eliminated, no SPEW, and the third task was quite different (no sphinx!), but what was there was good (especially the beautiful cinematography). Cedric did not come off as as good/heroic as he is in the book which took away some of the power of his death. And no mention of Fleur with veela blood! I loved the Yule Ball: gorgeous dresses, good mix of old and modern music. I'm looking forward to the next movie!