Potter Book Fans Flock -- The Unread...Enter at own risk.

Rating: 8/10 (18 November 2005)

Let me preface this--- I have read all the books, and am on my second read through now of them. Also, I can usually ascertain the difference between the film and the literature with a separatist eye of unbiased faithfulness.
So--- Goblet of Fire--- Much has been made of the acting, maybe too much. It is what you should expect of the three main stars...though unfortunately, if you haven't read the books...Hermoine will not give off a very good impression, or make much sense. The rest of the cast is on par (and I think special mention deserves to go out to the twins for always capturing the scenes they're in). Now this shouldn't bring anyone out of their seats, but it should be leveled across that if you don't know the story, some of the characteristics come off somewhat contrived, and for no reason at all.
Which leads me to a big problem. This movie does the poorest job of the four with its story narrative. It gives many situations, and plays them out, but seemingly for no other reason than to get to the next. (sorry for the redundancy about to appear) But anyone whom has had the chance to read the books will be able to fill in gaps with ease -- those that haven't, might not understand everything that they're being fed.
But without getting too down on the poor mediation of the story in terms of this film or the quadrilogy of films (this being the poorest of the three) ; there is plenty to watch here. And I mean plenty.
This movie does feature the best special effects yet, of this series and possibly many others. You'll be hard pressed to find bones to pick about much of the imagery at all. And the action does it's best to keep up with its glossy thrust of scenery.
So longs as you can keep the story in front of you, the overall tone won't bother you, but I must say it leaves you wishing for a little more by the end. I won't give anything away, but I will say I would have expected a true changing of feel and tone by movies end, in comparison to the rest of the films...this doesn't really happen (with the exception of the Dual).
In words, without ruining it for anyone who wishes to taste it for themselves I'd say this film offers both more, and far less than its predecessors. Decide for yourself where those differences arise or merely tune out and enjoy whats provided. This movie does give you enough to sit and watch...but with little reason or back bone.
8/10 -- I give it a fairly high mark for it's production value and casting, but dock for it's spoon fed storyline the does it's best to keep with a 700pg plus book, but falls short of giving it meaning.