A Good Movie, But a Pale Shadow of the Book ...

Rating: 6/10 (18 November 2005)

As part of a worldwide movie franchise, Goblet of Fire is indeed probably the best of the four so far. But for those who consider themselves book purists, movie-goers may be disappointed by this pale shadow of a book many consider to be their favorite of the series thus far. I know I was.
While I completely understand the need to cut away excess layers for time reasons, there still remain a few things that bother me. One being the need for the screenwriters to fill time with humorous or dramatic creations of their own, rather than of J.K. Rowling's.
As an adult reader and a loyal fan since the 90s, it is my belief that these books are incredibly humorous, and very dramatic on their own, without the aid of outside sources. Did I enjoy Professor McGonagall instructing Ron and the rest of Gryffindor on the finer points of dancing? Of course I did. But I enjoy the visual image of Moody stumping up to nightshirt-clad Snape and Filch and simply stating, "Pajama party, eh?" far more.
I knew going into the theater that the Barty Crouch Sr./Jr. plot line would be butchered, and I was prepared for the sacrifice. But what I was perhaps least prepared for was Michael Gambon in the role of a pseudo-Dumbledore.
Perhaps the hardest role to cast, especially following Richard Harris' untimely death, I am nevertheless appalled by Michael Gambon's portrayal. He is not the caring, all-powerful, ostentatiously-dressed Dumbledore we readers have come to love. Instead, he is unsympathetic and oftentimes mean. And he appears to be in severe need of a dip into the prefects' bathtub himself.
Daniel Radcliffe is naught but a mediocre actor, and not quite convincing in his reactions to the goings-on. But Gambon is ridiculous, and I cannot believe that J.K. Rowling would stand by and allow one of her most crucial characters to be dragged through the mud.