Goblet of Fire Media Reviews

Straight.com

Directed by Mike Newell. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. Rated PG. Opens Friday, November 18, at the Van East Cinema, the Paramount Vancouver, the Richmond Centre 6, and others

Harry Potter…oh, you think you've heard it all. The book that can transform you into a devoted fan after 30 minutes of reading has, inevitably, gone on to be a hit at the cinemas too. The past three movie adaptations of the incredibly popular (and addictive) books have been no disappointment. Now, with the much-anticipated fourth release, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the story continues.

Still quite true to the original, this movie has even more remarkable effects than those before it. After all, Harry does have to go through a Portkey (a form of magical transportation), travel through a pensieve (a device that lets you go back and experience memories), fight a dragon, transform into some kind of amphibian, and go through a maze that can swallow people up. Director Mike Newell creates more of a magical world also; much of the beauty comes from the breathtaking British countryside.

The Goblet of Fire is mainly about the Triwizard Tournament, where representatives from the three largest European wizardry schools compete in three challenging tasks, mentally, physically, and, of course, magically. The emphasis of the competition is to bring together international young people of the magical world. The Goblet of Fire mysteriously chooses Harry as the fourth competitor, even though he is much younger than the mandatory 17 years and Cedric Diggory (the popular, good-looking, smart, athletic, and genuinely nice wizard) is already representing Hogwarts. The movie follows Harry through his exhilarating trials at the tournament.

This film illustrates how our dear Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) are growing up, but most of us teenagers can still identify with them. Sure, they might be witches and wizards, but everyone gets a little hormonal sometimes.

Harry's chance with beautiful Cho Chang appears dismal, as Cedric is the only one she wants. Hermione falls for visiting Quidditch superstar Viktor Krum, and poor Ron feels frustrated being just the friend of a hero. This movie is so realistic, despite the obvious fiction, that the experience takes you away.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a perfectly balanced movie. Starting out with humorous, lighthearted situations, it later introduces the difficulty of being a teenager, and finally leaves you with scenes so thrilling your eyes hurt from being super-glued to the screen.

You have to expect something good from Rowling's intriguing, amazing plot. When you walk out of the cinema, you leave with that familiar feeling of coming back to reality but still with a melancholy taste in your mouth and a lingering wonder about what happens next. For some reason, it just does seem a work of magic.

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