The Best Yet!

Rating: 10/10 (4 December 2005)

This installment of the Harry Potter series combines brilliant visual effects with an excellent script. The humour helps balance the overall darkness of the film, but it would be nicer to see some brighter colours.
I would have liked to see some more of Cho, and possibly find out a bit more back story. For anyone who hasn't read the books, she will seem like a blow-in, which I suppose she sort of is. Moaning Myrtle's advances on Harry in the bathtub seem quite a bit out of character (isn't she supposed to be a shy little thing?), but I can certainly relate!
The dragon scene from the first task is too drawn out. They don't really need to stray from the stadium, as I am sure they would have been able to incorporate plenty of near blows inside the small arena. There could also have been some danger to the audience, which could have helped with the total feeling of the scene. I was disappointed to not have any so-called obstacles in the maze, such as the sphinx and the Skrewts. I can understand how the normal maze worked though, testing their endurance and not just testing their skill. The second task was basically good, but I thought they could have played more of Harry's insistence on rescuing the others as well as Ron.
Overall, an excellent adaptation of the movie, although the absence of Quidditch was a bit disappointing. If they make the trip to go to the World Cup, we should at least be allowed to see some of the match.
Everyone will see it anyway, but I think this time it's worth the time and money, and not just for Harry Potter obsessives.