There is always a certain amount of trepidation when going to see movies based on dearly beloved books. The Harry Potter franchise has been no different. The first two movies, while good, were both mildly disappointing. It wasn't until Chris Columbus could be pried out of the director's chair with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban that the series realized its potential for cinematic representation.
While the first two movies were enjoyable enough, they lacked the emotional impact of the books to have any staying power. One only had to compare them to Peter Jackson's adaptation of the Lord of the Rings to see their shortcomings. The Harry Potter books have fast achieved the same iconic status of Professor Tolkien's work and merited far better treatment than received by the first two books.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire looked to be an almost impossible task to bring to the screen. A myriad of plot lines and twists and turns that would need to be addressed; a vast array of characters, and the descent of the wizard world into the darkness of Lord Voldemort's return. Would the new director, Mike Newell, and the script writer Steve Kloves be able to find a way to adapt this massive book as successfully as Alberto Cuaron did with Prisoner of Azkaban?
The answer, in my mind, is an almost unequivocal yes. Wisely choosing to streamline the plot and eliminate characters where able, Newell and Kloves bring the two important themes of The Triwizard Cup and the return of Lord Voldemort into sharp focus. From the opening dream sequence through the end of the movie, we are carried along on Harry's emotional whirlwind. Like Harry, we can only react to whatever new obstacle is thrown into our path and hope for the best.
Whether it’s the terror of facing a dragon or almost every young males' nightmare of asking a girl you like out for the first time (those scenes were far too real for my emotional memory, talk about cringe moments from my own past), we are walking with Harry. Although all the previous movies have, of course, been about Harry, this one seems to be far more isolated to his perspective.
When his best friend Ron temporarily deserts him, and the rest of the school has turned against him save for Hermione, the loneliness is palatable. By tracking Harry's movements through a crowd of students, the filmmakers are able to convey his shunning with a few quick scenes. That scene exemplifies the economy the filmmakers have used throughout the movie.
Article comments
1 - Moineepa Goswami
Dear Dan
I want to act with you all . It is excellent if You take me as a friend .
From Moineepa
(India )
2 - Moineepa Goswami
Dear Dan
I forget to tell you that please sent me your email adress . I love all the Harry Potter movies .
3 - Steve
Yeah, I would tend to agree with the articler about this movie, all things considered, they did a pretty good job, at least if you were looking for lots of action. Looking forward to the next one in July 2007.
4 - reggie von woic
the only thing about the movie that doesn't satisfy me is the Professor Dumbledore. i prefered Richard Harris (may he R.I.P), Michael Gambon kinda makes the character look comical rather than powerful, as depicted in the book.
i too look forward to OotP next year; Imelda Staunton will make a marvelous Umbridge.