A new adventure full of magic and fantasy comes to the big screen with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, fourth in the series of movies based on the phenomenally successful literary saga by U.K. author J.K. Rowling.
Director Mike Newell is, oddly enough, the first Brit to sit in the director s chair for this series set in England. He was preceded by Chris Columbus, from the United States, who directed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), and Mexican Alfonso Cuarón, who took over for movie number three, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004).
In this latest installment, our hero is involved in a dangerous and perhaps life-threatening tournament of magic. Now he must deal with the perilous challenges thrown his way by the tournament, as well as new personal situations in his increasingly pubescent life.
FEATURING characters on their way to adulthood, funny moments and a darker twist than previously seen, this film, as everyone knows, has been a big success at the box office. Main actors Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and his inseparable onscreen pals Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger), not so young anymore, know their roles by heart now. Add this to a roster of great new characters, such as teacher Mad-Eye Moody (played by Brendan Gleeson), Harry s romantic interest Cho Chang (Katie Leung) and Mr. Evil himself, Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), as well as an amazing show of special effects and great direction, and you get a crowd pleaser that will delight the whole family.
It should be pointed out that it isn t necessary to have seen the previous films or to have read the books to enjoy this movie. However, prepare yourself for a relatively long visit to the theater; the movie runs about two and a half hours.
Of course, being fourth in an ongoing series, the film doesn t offer the satisfaction of a big finale but there are more books to come.
I rate Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire a 9 out of 10.
