The Goblet of Swill

Rating: 4/10 (20 November 2005)

Sorry folks - I just don't understand all the "gushing" over this one.
While a lot of the JKR novel was bloated, the narrative in this film was so compacted and economized I think it lost some of the great textures and backgrounds that drove the earlier films.
I waited in line from 4pm for the 9:40pm showing - so I really wanted to love it, but I and my friends found it very disappointing. More slick and vacant a film than presented by the Potter team heretofore. (The film must be totally incomprehensible to someone who has not read the book.) Voldemort was laughable - seemingly inspired by Max Schreck in "Nosferatu" - but this now earthbound Voldy didn't even come close to being as eerie, ominous and menacing as Max in that 1922 silent film - even with all the expen$I've and gee-wiz SPFX. It was as disappointing a "reveal" of a movie villain as when Lucas pulled off Darth Vadar's mask and presented us with the cinematic equivalent of a wizened "Uncle Fester" beneath. That's "what" we (& Harry & Co.) have been afraid off all this time?! Sing its praises if you must, for me it gives great concerns with the next one which was even dicey in book form. If director Alexander MacKendrick was still alive, he probably could pull it off - but I don't think this fellow will if he is given the assignment base on all the puff expressed here.