Harry Potter: The One Plot of Fire

Rating: 5/10 (31 March 2011)

I have to report a crime, a murder, the victim? A series of books shot down in cold blood that has wormed its way into the hearts of the public. It's a shame that a series that started so well has been stripped of everything that actually made the series of books enjoyable. As is common with books made into films, they have to fillet out the bits that take up screen time and send people to sleep which does cause havoc with those who've read the book, and even more so, if those greedy money makers at Hollywood strip out its heart, making it barely recognisable or only focus on one part of the story a la Percy Jackson.
The Crime I'm reporting is that of The Goblet of Fire, the fourth instalment of the Harry Potter series. You could say So Much about The Great Series and how well it started as movies, numbers one, two and three were perfect books that led to awe-inspiring films, before it all went downhill and we were presented with The Goblet of Fire, a great book with a series of mini plots and character depth, a captivating story by JK Rowling, that became minced up, the film should be sold at butchers not a film shop. What took place in the Goblet of Fire was unbelievable, there may have been a main plot, but what about the important mini plots that gave the characters more depth?
There was no real characterisation for Krum and Fleur and we don't even get an explanation about what Fleur is, and why people are so in love with her. Yes there is a mention but just no explanation. The main plot is loyal to the book, however it does rush like an overexcited Springer Spaniel. This sensation is carried on into The Order of The Phoenix. The portrayal of the main characters works rather well and Ralph Fiennes does such a convincing job as an insanely evil Nazi character, like in Schindlers list he suits the part well and his menacing actions are terrifying I was struck with chills just by looking at his predator like enhanced features.
This brings me to another point, the relationships in the world of Harry Potter movies come marching out of the blue like we see occasionally in films, we see what looks like a budding relationship between Hagrid and the giant headmistress, but do we get any reason for why this happens? We don't even have a characterisation for her either, yes admittedly in the books she's a somewhat minor character but without the depth of personality, it stumps you. Why is Hagrid is actually going out with her? These books are like bibles to many, it is sacrilegious to change them, and directors, beware reviews like me if you do.
OK, the film decided to change so much, it's only recognisable as Harry Potter and the One plot of fire, however this does not mean the film is not good in its own right. It does not have all the sparkle of the book, but does it really matter? The Dedicated readers of the book certainly seem to think so, however let's step away from the book a second and think about those who have never stepped foot in the book universe that is Harry Potter and have only watched the films. Having looked at some other reviews myself, many seem to give this Harry Potter film a good review without focusing on the book, so that is what I will do right now. If you have not read the books, you have nothing to go on but your own impeccable taste, having chosen to watch a film like this. It is a stunning film showing the transition from the light hearted detective side of things, to the darker more sinister side. The first few films are incredibly light hearted, there is never much sense of danger, more of a jolly stroll through some corridors, on a hunt to find out what the bad guys are up to, deducing like a detective, a young kid detective at that. So what changes in the fourth instalment do you say? It's much darker, more mature and more serious about itself a bit like me. It seems the series has grown up with its audience, just as the actors have grown and just as I have grown from a eager excitable six year old. It starts to deal with more teenage things like puberty, and for boys GIRLS you know those dreaded things with pretty eyes longer hair and high voices, yes, with all this the series changes from its light hearted roots to a dark brooding pit of danger.
The danger is more evident in this one, straight from the start we have Death Eaters invading the Quidditch World Cup, wait a second, a World Cup, and they say they are nothing like us mere Muggles. The invasion created a statement and they certainly made it not just to the characters, but to us the audience as a warning of more evil things to come. And what did we get? Oh we got a minefield of evil things, from Harry mysteriously being entered into the Triwizard cup, to the death of Cedric Diggory RIP. Let's move on. Overall I believe the film is a huge disgrace when it set beside the book, however for those that have not read it, Its still needs good kick up the backside much like a stalled car that just won't get going. It's clear to me that given both this and the fifth film shows us that nothing can save the next film from the horrible mash up that the film industry has begun.
Anyone fancy a plate of filmic mud or a nourishing roast dinner of a book?