So, we went to see Goblet of Fire on Sunday. Despite it being a Sunday night, and being downtown, the theatre was sold out. I got there early to buy the 7:45 show – sold out. I go to buy the 8:30 from the machine and miss it by seconds with the announcement that “Harry Potter 8:30 is sold out” – arg! The next was not until 10:30, but we’d already paid for parking. So, we stayed. Went to a Starbucks for a bit – we did think ahead and bring books.
I have to say I was happy with the result of the movie. I went into it expecting it to really piss me off, like the last one did. But some of the annoying things from the last movie were no longer there. The students were back in their robes (so happy I wasn’t the only one annoyed to have them in “muggle” clothes all last movie). There was no weird obsessiveness with an artistic portrayal of a tree. Really, if I had to say anything, it was rather rushed. Despite all the cuts.
Now, I think there were unfortunate choices in what was cut and what stayed. In some cases choices that, to me, seem odd. But, likely, to JK, who is the only one knowing the ending, they are not vital things. Maybe vital to the books at the time, but not something that continues in importance. For example, the whole thing about Harry’s visions and which perspective he’s in while seeing them… something we see again in the next book, but that was not explored here. No Dobby. Most of the serious emotional battles, and battles of evil in subtle ways, were overshadowed by the need to explain the complexity of the Triwizard tournament, and in going through the tasks.
So, I think I’m satisfied. I am sad some things were not acted out. And I think it misses many of the meaningful things, not just to the story but to the growth and morals and all that, which is very Hollywood. The actors are older – which is what they get for their parents demanding the movies slow down from 1 per year to 1 per 1.5 years (which makes Daniel 1 year older than Harry now, etc). It shows, but it’s better than most!
So, my review. Good. A significant upturn from the last. And satisfying in its own little ways. Nothing like the magical dreamworld of the first two, which is unfortunate but somewhat valid, but good.
One thing I definitely didn’t like: Dumbledore was totally off character. Even more than the last movie.
Has anyone else seen it? What do you think?
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I completely agree with you, Arieanna. I’m a really huge fan of Harry Potter and i’ve read all the books a zillion times, except for the last. I was up with expectations reaching the sky but after reading it. I disappointed with the way the book was written and the ending as well.
Oh well, back to the movie, i agree that the first 2 movies were directed better than then the last 2. I too was annoyed in the POA movie that the kids weren’t more than half the time in their school attire which I think affected the feeling of being in the magical world. And Dumbledore!.. he isn’t at all whom i pictured when i read the books! this Dumbledore is way too hyper. the dumbledore i imagined was more graceful n swift not jumping from here to there! i feel Ian McKellen (Gandalf) would make a better Dumbledore though.
As for the scenes, well, i think that JKR only included the ones that were most important to make sense of the ending. but of course, its nothing compared to reading the book. i agree that the character development is poorly shown as well. its either too obvious or too vague. but i suppose those are the limitations with movies.
Overall, I would rate this movie 3 over 5. Definately better than the previous movie.
I honestly thought forth Harry Potter movie was amazing! If you havdn’t read the books would you have ever thought that Moody was evil and wasnt the real moody? These people can really act. Im kind of glad they left out some scenes from the book, we would have been sitting there for another 5 hours. Also this Harry potter movie was one of the best so i don’t see why your complaining it was soo busy, of course it would be