The Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire is the fourth film in the Harry Potter series, and was released in 2005. The film revolves around a mysterious tournament in the wizarding world in which three schools unite to take part in a tournament in order to crown a wizard with everlasting glory. Harry finds his name in the goblet, meaning that he must take part, risking his life.

 The film adapts the book pretty closely, the book upon which this film is based is far more streamlined than other books in the series, there is really very little fat that needed to be trimmed and thus the film follows the book fairly closely, the only alterations that were made were the removal of Dobby, who is replaced with Neville Longbottom and the various scenes taking place in the pensive which were streamlined into one scene featuring the trial of Barty Crouch Jr. The film also features none of the game-play of the quidditch world cup leaving a slightly abrupt time jump.

Whilst the last film revolutionized the visual nature of the series, this film is by far the most interesting from a design perspective. Goblet of Fire features more original environments than perhaps any other Harry Potter film, the film starts at the quidditch world cup, opening with a huge stadium featuring almost vertical seating and tents with interiors larger than their exteriors. Afterwards the triwizard tournament features many different stadiums, from the dragon challenge with it's wood circular stadium and faux rocks, to the challenge on the black lake which features asian inspired stadiums floating on the water, and the final challenge showcasing mazes that would make Kubrick jealous.

The performances in the film are the strongest so far, the actors have settled into their roles, and the supporting cast do a fine job. This film features the corporeal return of Voldemort, and the real start of the second wizarding war, thus the film is more tonally ominous than any other of the films so far. The film features a standout performance with Miranda Richardson playing Rita Skeeter, she is catty, layered and hysterical, and it is now impossible to imagine the character any other way.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the most mature of the films and the most action packed, visually rich and tonally dark, the film is vibrant and fun, and features fine performances from it's cast making a dark and rollicking adventure. Rating: B

Harry: I love magic.