“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (2005)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Grade: A-

Expanding on the darker, more mature tone of its predecessor, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ranks as one of the best entries in the franchise. That’s because it includes a little bit of everything: drama, action, mystery, horror, comedy…hell, there’s even a healthy dose of sports! Although Goblet of Fire can feel rushed at times (a strange criticism for a 150-minute movie), the wide range of genres keeps the plot highly entertaining for the entire runtime.

Directing:

Following in the footsteps of Alfonso Cuarón was always going to be a tough task, yet veteran director Mike Newell does a fine job with the transition. He successfully ties together Goblet’s many moods (emphasis on “many”), from action-packed CGI set-pieces to humorous romantic subplots to terrifying black magic rituals. In particular, Lord Voldemort’s resurrection sequence is legitimately scary, which is a cinematic element you wouldn’t expect from a young adult fantasy series. Despite a few silly scenes (e.g., the choreographed introductions of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons), Newell is adept at keeping the magic alive.

Acting:

The leading trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have improved with each film, adding new subtleties to their arsenal each passing year — one of the main joys of watching child actors literally grow up before our eyes. The increased number of action scenes in Goblet of Fire highlights Radcliffe’s physicality, whether he’s fighting off dragons, mermaids or stand-ins for Satan. Likewise, the subtle comedic interplay between the cast is even more apparent this time around.

But just like Prisoner of Azkaban, the supporting roles are where the best actors can be found: this year’s additions of Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes and Robert Pattinson do a great deal in expanding the color palette of the Potter universe. Gleeson, in particular, steals every scene he’s in.

Writing:

Goblet of Fire is probably the third or fourth best book of the Harry Potter series, but at over 700 pages the intricate plot is naturally difficult to transcribe to the big screen. As a result, some of the transitions between scenes feel rushed and slightly jarring: the Quidditch World Cup feels too quick, the Third Task begins out of nowhere and the final revelation/explanation of Barty Crouch Jr. is hastily brushed over. Even the minor feud between Harry and Ron is resolved a little too early in terms of screentime, thus muting the emotional impact.

Nevertheless, I remain impressed by the wide range of genres that Goblet of Fire manages to cram in. There is a captivating aura of detective mystery that runs throughout the entire movie, a bevy of fantasy-action set-pieces, a comedic sub-plot involving failed teen romance, and a thrillingly dark climax that finally gives form to the main foe. Even though the rapid changes in tone can be clunky (and the deviations from the book are many), the multiple facets of the narrative remain compelling.

Music:

Goblet of Fire is the first film of the series to be soundtracked by someone other than John Williams, yet newcomer Patrick Doyle does a great job coloring every scene with the appropriate orchestral flourish. That’s because Doyle isn’t a newcomer at all; he’s a veteran composer with over 60 credits to his name. I like the snakelike oboe motif that represents Voldemort, and I also like the Lord of the Rings/Howard Shore-inspired majesty that Doyle brings to every scene.

Ending (SPOILERS):

This is the film that introduces death to the franchise, and it does so in a fittingly tragic manner. The murder of Cedric Diggory and subsequent rebirth of Voldemort definitely aren’t the most optimistic moments, but they are handled in an appropriately epic and emotional fashion. The ending of Goblet of Fire is a turning point for the series, with the endgame (i.e., Harry vs. Voldemort) now fully in sight. Unfortunately, that means some of the more fun sub-plots established earlier in the film (i.e., the evil masterplan of Barty Crouch Jr.) are rendered moot now that the stakes have been raised.

Even still, in the wake of such disaster, Newell’s final images display Hogwarts as a warm, loving home — for Harry and for us, too. Add sentimental coming-of-age drama to the list of genres that Goblet of Fire successfully encompasses.

“Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” — Albus Dumbledore

Why Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire gets an A-

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has something for everyone when it comes to satisfying Potter fans: mystery, action, drama, romance, you name it. Even though the narrative could be more streamlined, it’s still one of the best and most exciting films of the franchise.

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