Of summer 2007's offerings, one of the most satisfying

Rating: 8/10 (15 July 2007)

Let's start with the negatives first. This film is part of a set now that follow on one after another so if you did take it rating as a sole piece of work, my score would probably be lower ...However, to quote Spock in Star Trek VI, "All things are not equal!" Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was, by all accounts, many people's favourite book was an appalling film made almost unwatchable by Mike Newell's heavy handed direction. The follow-up to Goblet, Phoenix, was by comparison the worst of the Potter books as it seemed to feature a 500 page rant by JK Rowling against Corporal punishment that could have sufficiently been crammed into 200. The challenge for David Yates was to turn this convoluted mess into something vaguely enjoyable.
To say he did a good job of this is an understatement. The missing ingredient from the fourth instalment that was joyously back in this film was Harry, Ron and Hermione's on-screen chemistry. The scenes with all the pupils enjoying the ensuing adventure even in such difficult circumstances made what could have been an ordeal into the rich tapestry of wizardry that the fourth film should have been.
There are many highlights but it is in the detail that this film excel's. Jinny's look's of spiteful longing, Mad-eye's magnificent posture when he apparates and the, pardon the pun, spell-binding battle between White and Dark wizards.
Good performances of note? Too many to mention, but Gary Oldman steals the limelight again and Luny Love god was great for an unknown.
In short, when watching back in a few years time watch 1,2,3, skip 4 and watch 5.
Much Love