Harry Potter and the Goblet of Kick Butt.

Rating: 8/10 (19 November 2005)

This review has spoilers, but we're all Harry Potter fans and have read the books, RIGHT? So read on! My review's blunt. Just to tell you now.
Goblet of Fire felt rushed in the beginning, but once you get to the end, you realize that the movie was actually way too long. Things that really didn't matter were discarded and rightfully so, unlike in POA where the Marauders were completely overlooked. The problem with GOF is that the actors had schizophrenic performances.
Daniel Radcliffe comes out like a true actor in this movie by extending his spectrum of emotions. Ron is also no longer the stupid comic relief character, his character is given more depth and Rupert does a great job at it. Emma's acting declined in my opinion, her crying wasn't very convincing and she cried too often that it lost its' affect. Michael Gambon as Dumbledore is something that I've always had a problem with, Dumbledore comes across as a senile and emotionally unstable old man. If I was Harry Potter, I would NOT feel safe at Hogwarts, especially with Voldemort and a crew of Death Eaters coming after me. Dumbledore's character, in my opinion, is suppose to put the students and the readers of the books at ease because no matter who horrible things get, Dumbledore is always watching carefully over the children. In this movie, Dumbledore was just ... um, no.
There is hardly any Snape, McGonaggal, Sirius, the Slytherins, etc. etc. and that was disappointing because there's no variety at Hogwarts. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang's appearance was great, though very limited. Krum had a whopping two lines, Fleur had one and a half with some sobs in between, and Cedric grinned his way through most of the scenes. The main focus is the trio, Mad Eye, and Voldemort. Brandon Gleeson as Moody works just fine, but I did imagine him as a thinner man, considering he's an auror and fought dark wizards.
Strangely enough, the most dramatic performance is from the actor who portrays Amos Diggory. At the end, after Cedric dies and Harry brings his body back to Hogwarts, his few, but very striking lines: "My boy! That's my boy!" and his tortured sobs really struck me hard. I wasn't moved by Daniel's crying, just like in POA, I thought he was laughing for a second. But Amos Diggory's actor definitely effectively radiates the anguish of a father who has just lost his only son.
The rock concert at the Yule Ball ... um, no. It takes away from the majestic-ness of Hogwarts Castle and the traditional and classic feel of a great hall made of stone with high ceilings and fantastic glass windows. Plus, none of the actor could dance.
The music was fantastic as was the special effects. I noticed a lot of similarities to the Lord of the Rings in terms of music, special effects, and scenery but that's a good thing because LOTR was an amazing movie. The movie's strongest scenes were the graveyard scenes, only because the creepiness of Voldemort and his KKK looking death eaters DEMANDS your attention. I was surprised to see a Harry's arm cut open like that, but it amused me because I saw a lot of little kids squirming in the audience, heh heh. The death eaters were creepy, just as they should be. Very very creepy. Run, Harry, run.
Goblet of Fire has an epic feel to it, it shows more than just Hogwarts, but gives the audience a wider view of the wizarding world. I definitely recommend this movie, even though I had some critical opinions, I DID enjoy the movie and I'm a huge Harry Potter fan. Cheers!