If you haven't seen this movie, this review will HELP you decide.

Rating: 2/10 (9 August 2006)

Where has the magic gone? One would expect that the fourth of the Harry Potter movies should have improved and should have been better than the previous three-- DEAD WRONG! This is the worst Potter film yet.
The ghosts that make Hogwarts unique amongst many other fantasy films have ironically been "magically" vanished. Not one can be seen in The Great Hall and/or in between classes. Moaning Myrtle, of course, was spared for a cheap laugh. This movie has officially lost its magic.
Some of the young actors, however, have improved. Daniel Radcliffe, who had the worst performance in Prisoner of Azkaban, showed a bit of improvement with his "crying" skill(s)-- but just slightly. His improved acting skill doesn't justify Goblet of Fire's bad direction and editing.
Mike Newell did a terrible job capturing the natural magic within the world that JKR has created. Anyone could feel the absence of the nature of the magical world that Alfonso Cuaron has beautifully executed in the third movie. Hell, I didn't really like Cuaron's Potter film as much as I am fond of Christopher Columbus's classic Potter films, but I prefer Alfonso's directing and ideas SO MUCH MORE than Newell's. Newell's handling of the camera angles and rushed cuts were terribly directed.
Back to the returning young actors and actresses... Whoever has been complimenting Emma Watson and her acting skills should get an acting lesson with the actress herself. Watson completely turned this movie into the most annoying film EVER. Her over-the-top enunciation of every syllable of every word was very irritating. Her heavy breathes in every line in every scene were as disturbing. Of course, with the contribution of Michael Gambon's menopausal Dumbledore, it's officially become the worst film of the year.
Where has the twinkling blue eyes gone? All I see from Gambon's Dumbledore is the clear lack of authority. Dumbledore has officially (can't find another word) become a dumbarsse. Oh how I miss the late Richard Harris-- the perfect and most brilliant Dumbledore ever. And what happened to Snape? Why has Snape become a physically sadistic sore loser? Steve Klove's brain must be deteriorating (he's the screen writer, for those of you who are not aware).
Now, on to the new characters... The Triwizard Champions: do NOT expect to see or hear much of them in this movie. They are as "extras" as the talented Rupert Grint (aka Ron Weasley) is in the movies-- sadly. Katie Leung, the "popular" newcomer (aka Harry's first love interest) did an okay job for a first-timer. At least she didn't make me cringe... a lot.
Brendan Gleeson who played Mad-Eye Moody, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, is clearly a very talented actor. But honestly, he is NOT the Moody that I imagined from reading the books-- not only physically, but the way his character's attitude was executed in the movie was just not how it was written in the books.
Miranda Richardson, who played the nosy journalist Rita Skeeter, was one of the few good aspects of this movie. She was simply fantastic. She carried Skeeter's character VERY, VERY well. Her execution was just perfectly SPOT ON.
And Ralph Fiennes, who plays He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named VOLDEMORT--- *sigh*--- HE REALLY SAVED THIS MOVIE. Just when I thought I couldn't see anymore of this movie's worsts, Fiennes impresses his viewers with the most convincing, terrifying, and quite loving Voldemort ever. He showed Voldemort's character in a very genuine way. I absolutely LOVED him (except of course the blue eyes which were supposed to be red, but that's more of the production staff's fault/decision).
In conclusion, this movie SUCKED. There were NO house elves. There were NO house ghosts. But there were the worst performances in history such as Gambon's and Watson's.
And yes folks, I have to say that the First Task/Dragon scene was painfully boring and way too long. I believe it was only there to show off some fancy effects which I thought were pretty lame. I'd rather see the natural ghosts running around Hogwarts than a freaking stupid-looking dragon.
I give this movie a 2/10 (for Fiennes' and Richardson's great performances). But seriously, I'd rather watch the first movie, Philosopher's Stone, any bloody day. Even with its not-so-good Quidditch effects, it's still a classic by Chris Columbus.