May the fourth go with you

Rating: Null/10 (18 December 2005)

On the fourth cinematic outing for Harry and his chums, we have a third director (Mike Newell) and a darker, scarier approach (which attracts the first non-PG certificate). All the familiar characters are back at Hoggwarts, but - with the exception of Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) - the established adults are given only minor roles, surrendering the floor to Alastor 'Mad Eye' Moody (played with verve by Brendan Gleeson). At the heart of this adventure is the Triwizard Tournament involving an airborne dragon chase, an undersea rescue, and a devouring maze which provide plenty of challenges for Harry and excitement for young viewers, although an non-reader of the books (like me) can be confused at times.
As always, there are wonderful characters and creatures and splendid sets and special effects. What really makes this latest movie stand out from the other three is how the Harry, Ron and Hermione have grown up into teenagers with mood swings and a fascination with the strange creatures known as the opposite sex. Harry is more confident flying a broomstick and battling dragons than propositioning the bewitching Cho Chang (Katie Leung), while blossoming Hermione cannot understand why Ron fails to see her as anything other than a schoolfriend. This awakening is well-handled and will engage the legions of young Potter fans, making them enthusiastic for episode five.