A Good Movie, But Die Hard Rowling Fans Will Be Very Disappointed

Rating: 7/10 (21 November 2005)

This just goes to show that these films are merely based!!! on the brilliant series that is the Harry Potter books. Again Fair play to the actors, they have matured and acted better than ever in this film and i thoroughly enjoyed Rupert Grints portrayal of Ron, for me it was him who somehow kept me in the cinema and reminded me of some of the brilliant scenes in the book. The first problem with this film is that almost the whole film is dark and disturbing, like the last half hour of the prisoner of Azkaban. there are hardly any light fun moments, any that were, were cut from the film. for example, Dudley's huge tongue after eating Fred and George's sweet prototypes for their future joke shop.
Harry's feel good Two weeks of summer at the Weasleys house. The immense full length Quidditch world cup match and the two teams comical cheerleaders.
When Harry fights the dragon he actually starts to enjoy himself by being back on his broom flying and being free again.
Rons comical new owl Pigwidgeon.
There are many more but if you want to know you'll have to read the book. The other huge problem with the film is the total miss interpretation of Albus Dumbledore, Fans of the books will know that Dumbledore is a kind gentle patient wise true powerful wizard who commands respect by every full grown wizard around him and he never shows any sign of fear anger hate and doubt or depression, in the film however he has almost none of his good qualities and all of the bad, for me the first two films' Richard Harris had Dumbledore to a tee and i was devastated by his passing away, he showed a true compassion for Harry and the following films were meant to show a ever growing bond between them, sadly there is hardly a friendship between them, and how Dumbledore got angry at Harry and showed fear was terrible, and when he showed hopelessness at the situation after Harry looked into the pensive really lost the confidence in Dumbledore. I am not having a dig at Michael Gambon as i believe him to be a brilliant actor but the direction he was given obviously didn't work for his role. the film lacked a huge substance, unlike the book which leaves you on tenterhooks and anticipation for the next one, scenes that truly needed to be in the film were discarded by added ones that didn't need to be there, (like the learning to dance for the yule ball). I would have much rather seen some integral scenes instead of these added extras. for example, The Weasleys comic arrival by Floo powder at number four to pick Harry up for the rest of the summer.
The feel good two weeks at the weasleys house was a delight to read
The amazing world cup match.
there was no Dobby or Winky in the film which will need explaining in the fifth film.
There was none of Hermiones elf aid S.P.E.W
None of Hagrids Blast ended Skrewts, which should have been a challenge in the maze, as was the sphinx and the giant spider and the mysterious Myst that made everything upside down.
The trio never met Sirius in Hogsmeade, which cancelled out the growing of Harry's and Sirius's relationship
You never found out in the film that Hagrid and madame Maxime were descendants of giants
Hardly any Severus Snape in the film, why? hes turned out to be one of the most important characters
No Ludo Bagman in the film, made the film lack storyline.
No Bertha Jorkins in the film, which ruins how Wormtail found Voldemort and also how Voldemort found out about the tournament
Hardly any info was given on Barty Crouch and his son and also no explanation of how Barty junior escaped azkaban
Percy weasley was meant to take over the judging in the tournament after the death of his boss
No Mrs Weasley at all
No bill or Charlie weasley
The graveyard scene which should have been the highlight of the film lacked many important bits and Harry hardly fought Voldemort, in the book there is a much more satisfying fight
The most important scene to the whole film was completely left out, it is when Harry is recovering in the hospital wing and everyone is there, here is where the order of the phoenix is meant to begin to regroup, where Sirius reveals himself to the rest of the weasleys and how Dumbledore forced Snape and Sirius to shake hands and put their pasts behind them, and also mentions Snapes secret mission which he agrees to do. also Harry is meant to give his thousand galleon triwizard winnings to Fred and George for their joke shop, how they'll explain that i do not know. The Goblet Of Fire is by far my favourite book and i was sooo looking forward to the film, sadly its left me angry and disappointed, but its still a Harry Potter film and though lacking immense loads its still watchable. All in all this film has left out a lot, meaning also that the next film is going to leave out a lot, its in all honesty that if you want to experience the true magic of hogwarts and see a bigger relationship between the trio and others and a much huger and fuller satisfying storyline, go and buy all of the Rowling books and read them from start to finish, it will leave you completely satisfied and craving more,
I only hope the next director can somewhat redeem these films and deliver a brilliant Order of the Phoenix.