Comment in ten points (coming from a non Harry Potter fan)

Rating: 6/10 (21 December 2007)

Okay. I first saw the first Harry Potter movie, and was left amused and satisfied. Later, I read the second book (after seeing the first movie, why read the book? the most substantial story elements where already there, and the second book didn't contradict anything), and was still amused. Watching the movie, it seemed overall the same than the first. Then I read the third book (the best one), and noticed that the adaptation was a little rushed and mostly like a summary. Now, having not read the Goblet of Fire (I couldn't find it in English), I saw the film. Get ready, here it goes:
First. It was way too repetitive. I mean, we already know Harry Potter survived Voldermort (am I allowed to mention his name?). We don't need to be reminded of it by every single Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in every single school year.
Second. The characters were so unreal. Stupid Harry Potter doesn't make a move to ask the Asian girl to the ball. And, even though she makes suggestive eye contact with him, she ends up going with someone else. WTF!!!!!!!!!!! Stupid Ron doesn't even try to not look ridiculous to others. Stupid Ron's mother really thinks any person who wears that ridiculous dress she sent her son won't look like an old woman (some form of idiotic comic relief stunt). Stupid Hermione acts so dramatic about really pointless stuff (she already knows Harry survived the killing curse, why act so undignified?).
Third. Apparently, Hogwarts is so small, the girl Harry wants to ask out already agreed to go with his tournament rival, Cedric Diggory. Also, Hermione, Harry's long time friend, is also going to the ball with another rival of his, that Krum guy, if I can recall. I'm sorry, but I just can't believe any of that.
Fourth. Logic. Voldemort returns. Plain and simple. So the first three movies with him dying in a more spiritual or symbolic form were totally useless. Why wait to this one to appear?
Fifth. Action. There isn't any.
Sixth. The Goblet has no real importance to the story. It's just incidental.
Seventh. Dude, why would you make a contest of wizards where they get killed? If none of them turns out to be that good, they just die, and that's it?
Eighth. Too much politics. It's not a simple plot, but a strange conspiracy theory that doesn't really make sense. However, the politics here are kid's stuff compared to "Order of the Phoenix".
Ninth. Predictability. We don't need to read the final book to figure out there's going to be a final showdown between Voldy and Harry and who's ending up with who (Ron with Hermione), among other stuff.
Tenth. Since the audience pretty much grows along with Harry, the story is now oriented to teenagers, more than children. That results in including relationships, dating and more young adult issues. This, in hand, results in just a teen soap opera with a little magic in between.
I was about to become a Harry Potter fan, because I liked the first chapters, you know, the kiddie friendly magic. Since you were new to the Hogwarts world, you felt amazed at the wondrous stuff and places you went. Now, you end up not going anywhere new. No more spell lessons (no real lessons whatsoever, actually). Only a cheesy tone and overextended self-indulgence (yeah, I'm using fancy words). So, I pretty much ended loathing that wiz kid (pun intended) with glasses, as his inability to ask a girl out until it's too late pretty much sums up his magical skills. The only thing I did enjoy was the music (although it was far more John Williams than Patrick Doyle).
To finish, I thought "The Soup's" version of the film was way better (You know, the one where Harry and Ron are made to look gay).