The darkest Potter movie yet as Voldemort strengthens once more

Rating: 7/10 (26 July 2006)

I hate hearing people say things like "I am without doubt THE BIGGEST fan" or "Nobody likes it as much as I do". Therefore, I try as hard as I can not to stoop to saying things like this but I must say when it comes to J.K.Rowling's series of magical tales about Harry Potter, the boy who lived, I find stopping myself from saying irritating boasts like this increasingly difficult. Obviously I cannot possibly be the biggest fan of Harry Potter in the world but I do find myself questioning this possibility in my head and saying things like "I can't live without it" or "I feel as if I am Harry's best friend myself!" But, then the realistic part of my head tells me that I am not the only fan of the books. Half of my friends are fanatics and the whole world wait with baited breath at the release of each new film. If J.K's books were not loved like I love them by so many people worldwide, then the Harry Potter films would not have made the millions that they do not deserve. Well, maybe films one and two would have made a bit of a profit but I thought film three was a complete disaster with nothing but a good book behind it to draw in the crowds. I know how hard it is for films to live up to books, especially when they are as good as Harry Potter. But in the fourth film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, okay it might not be near as good as the book but, well it is in its own right a very good film. The usual line up are in the cast fourth time round as Harry and his friends prepare for their what will be their darkest year of their wizarding years so far at Hogwarts. This year, the Triwizard Tournament is being held in the school. This rare and major event brings students from two other wizarding schools to Hogwarts to enter their names into the Goblet of Fire to see if they can become one of the three champions to take part in the challenging tournament. The film flows very well and tells the story logically in an easy-to-follow manner(even if you haven't read the book)which its predecessors lacked. I went to see this film hoping it would bring the book to life and it did. In fact, I thought the movie was a lot better than my expectations. The acting of the young cast has improved. Radcliffe in the main role will probably never be Oscar material but he gives a brave performance in his most challenging film yet. Overall, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is an enjoyable film for all ages and I would actually recommend it to the book lovers because it does in fact bring the story to life. I may not be running out stating that I am "THE BIGGEST fan" but like I said before you can never compare a film to a book. Especially when the book is quite simply epic.