inconsistent adaptation

Rating: 6/10 (25 November 2005)

SPOILERS So here we go, the fourth of the series. It's four years since Daniel Radcliffe first put on the trademark Harry Potter glasses, and each year the series has gotten increasingly dark and more mature. Unfortunately though, as the films have progressed, as has J.K.Rowling's ego. Creating a mammoth book, there was no way that the Goblet could ever be properly transfered to the cinema, and it shows. At times rushed and at times slow, the film never really feels comfortable and the direction of Mike Newell leaves a lot to be desired.
It's Harry's forth year at Hogwarts, and it's the year of the great Tri-Wizard Tournament. Drawn out of the hat as a mysterious, under-age forth contender, Harry (Radcliffe) finds himself forced to undertake rigorous challenges whilst simultaneously dealing with typical teenage problems, not least his best friend Ron's (Rupert Grint) jealousy.
Since the source material is so overwhelmingly long, it comes as no surprise that this adaptation struggles at times. Whilst we are instantly thrown into the action with a ridiculously brief Quidditch World Cup, events slow to a crawl halfway through as certain scenes are stretched out to unbelievable lengths. Gone is the smooth feel of previous films, and instead we have what feels like a taster to the inevitable extended edition (due Christmas 2006 perhaps?). It's annoying that this has happened, but we have to question how much of this is to blame with the writers of the script, and how much is instead put at the feet of Rowling. By the time this book was released, the film series was well underway, so it's hardly like she was unaware that the story would become this media too. It's weird that she'd write such a ridiculously large story, but for so many it is the favourite book, so perhaps she deserves praise after all.
Script and plot speed aside, there are other flaws with the film. Like the rest of the series, the three main young stars still aren't what you would consider to be decent actors. Whilst Radcliffe, Grint and Emma Watson are all improving as the films progress, let's not fool ourselves by pretending that they are anywhere near acceptable standards. If anything, by the series ends, if all three see it out, we might finally see them reach a worthy standard to do more serious films. Ultimately though, it remains to be seen.
The special effects are also a bit of an inconsistent mistake here. Whilst nobody should see fault in the magnificent scenes involving Harry and the dragon, so much else in the film feels awkward, rushed, and awkwardly artificial. It feels like the entire budget was blown on that one scene, and whether the scene is amazing or not, that doesn't excuse the weakness elsewhere.
Mike Newell's direction too is hopeless and inadequate. Many of us held high hopes for the first British director in the series, but he lets us down massively. With disastrous camera shots and some equally fallible lighting, he never seems to fully grasp the mood of the film and as a result the film fails.
For all the complaints, this is still another Harry Potter film. Thousands will rush to the cinema to see it, and so they should, but it is a crushing disappointment. Arguably on a par with the second instalment, it never lives up to the hype that the book creates. With a story cropped to fit into a two and a half hour slot, the plot changes speed at ridiculous times and it's difficult to really get absorbed into the story. The third film was able to engulf the audience and really make you forget where you are. In this case you find yourself at times actually wondering what time it is and looking at the audience. It's a shame this has happened, and not something which was expected. With bad direction, mediocre acting and some woeful special effects, the film really isn't the masterpiece that it should be. People will still go to see it, but truthfully you are better off with the third chapter. A less than magical experience.