HP retrospective #4:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

2005, 12, Directed by Mike Newell

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Roger Lloyd Pack, Robert Pattinson, Clemence Poesy, Miranda Richardson, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Tennant, Frances de la Tour

David Heyman has openly expressed his dismay at some key moments from The Goblet of Fire novel finding room on the not-so lonely cutting room floor, however understands that for the films not to outstay their welcome, anything deemed unnecessary or integral to the overriding idea cannot find room in the film… and so the director tasked with the tough job of adapting arguably the best of JK Rowling’s modern classics is Brit Mike Newell. Like Cuarón before him, he set aside particular time at asserting his mark not only by omitting memorable moments but shortening them also by way of stylistic jump-cuts (admittedly impressing – look no further than the scene in which Harry snatches the egg in his first event of the Triwizard Tournament, when the shot cuts immediately to the egg in Harry’s grasp as he parades it in front of his Gryffindor peers in the common room). However, the Quidditch World Cup was always something fans, big or small, were excited to witness visually – so its absence is criminal and downright disappointing. Similarly, the complete removal of the Dursley’s causes the film to feel incomplete…

It seems Newell focused more on the route of establishing the overarching villains of the piece through the Death Eaters attack on the fans flocking to the World Cup (who include glistening-haired Lucius Malfoy and the snivelling Peter Pettigrew), thus setting up David Yates’ final films perfectly. This Newell does well, with the ending not only tantalising future instalments, but disturbs as Ralph Fiennes makes his first appearance as the Dark Lord… just stop to that that Voldemort and his army are a group of adult lunatics who kill mercilessly, not only people their own size but teenagers like Cedric Diggory (played here by a pre-Twilight Robert Pattinson). When Harry’s name is read out of the Goblet of Fire, everybody turns against him Too young to compete, Harry is adamant that someone else placed his name inside. Not only is Harry forced to battle Hungarian Horntail dragons, Merpeople and bewitched murky mazes, but his own best friends who turn against him amidst this revelation.Lucky he has new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher Mad Eye Moody ‘assisting’ him along the way (the twist that throughout the duration of the film that he is actually Barty Crouch Jr swigging Polyjuice Potion the entire time is dealt with well).

As with Prisoner of Azkaban, number four feels like it occurs in a completely different sitting to Columbus’ films – Hogwarts feels more like an average school: Harry and Ron bicker, as they both attempt to woo some females, written work occurs as well as bullying, Hermione becomes hormonal over Ron not asking her to the Yule Ball… even everybody’s hair is longer. Not even magic can change those things, it seems. But as it stands, Goblet of Fire doesn’t even come close to exceeding the standard of the book, but does succeed in depicting Voldemort as an undeniably fearsome foe beyond being able to be reckoned with, which is the most important thing when all is said and done.

3/5

Best Moment:

Harry and Cedric run for the Triwizard cup and deciding to claim it simeultaneously, are transported to a graveyard where an Avada Kadavra dispatches Cedric and a drop of Harry’s blood is the final part of You-Know-Who’s rebirth. Chilling

Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher:

Alastor ‘Mad Eye’ Moody – in his initial appearance here, he is locked in a charmed chest. Barty Crouch Jr parades around as him assisting the Death Eaters in pushing Harry to that graveyard. He does become a really likeable character though…

Best Character:
This time it jointly goes to Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall – one, because it would be unfair if they were not to feature her, but secondly because they play their roles so well they fit into everything so seamlessly.

Best Line:

Albus Dumbledore: Dark and difficult times lie ahead; soon we must all face the choice betweenw hat is right and what is easy