The Official "Goblet of Fire" Film Review Thread

[Justin 2]

I agree with honorble representative of Barnsbury.

Justin

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Much has been said already, so forgive me for repeating other people. Here's my thoughts (well, gripes, mostly):

This was an entertaining film, but it felt a lot like CoS in that the scenes weren't properly tied together. The harshest cut is from the Quiddtich World Cup to the tent. They have this great buildup to the start of the game, and then go straight to the tent. Why bother showing us the leadup to the match in the first place? To introduce Krum? You didn't need to do it this way.

Also, am I right in remembering that the Muggles floating was cut? It was definitely in the trailers, but not in the film. I didn't really miss it, I just remembered it was missing.

A lot of plot points are left unexplained, which bothered me.

Then there's Karkaroff sneaking towards the goblet. What was he doing? Why was he looking all shifty? What was the use of this scene?

And something I brought up before - why are there only girls present from Beauxbatons and only boys from Durmstrang? It would seem more logical they bring their best students (as in the book). Surely the best students aren't only girls at one school and only boys at the other?

The tasks followed each other quite fast. Ever since I first read the book I had a feeling the story's structure was going to be a problem on film. You have these three setpieces you don't want to cut, but in the end they do little to advance the story development. And what was the deal with the maze? It was spooky, no doubt about that, but were they just supposed to run through at full speed so they don't get swallowed by the plants?

And to be honest, I was actually disappointed with the graveyard scene. Fiennes was great as Voldemort, but I wish he wouldn't jump around all the time. And the Death Eaters don't do anything. They're just hanging around. At least in the book they acted when Harry ran for it. Now they were just bumbling after Voldemort. Also, Voldemort called Lily a Muggle. She wasn't a Muggle, she was Muggle-born. He would have called her a Mudblood.

Doyle's score was alright, but I really didn't like the way the first task was scored. He uses the Tournament Fanfare to score Harry in danger. An odd choice. This scene asked for an exciting chase cue. Instead, we get one brass explosion after the other. When Harry jumped onto his broom I expected the Nimbus theme to kick in. Next time I'll cue my iPod to start the beginning of the quidditch match from PS at that moment.

However, there are good things too (one does tend to ramble on in negativity).

I did pay more attention to Snape, and I loved Alan Rickman in it (as in pretty much all he does). The other adults as well. McGonagall was great, and I liked the bit with Filch in the Great Hall. Brendan Gleeson rocks in this movie. The Yule Ball and the scenes leading up to it were great. I actually thought Flitwick crowdsurfing was kind of funny, although I was happy when the Cocker song was over (alas that it returned in the end credits).

The character moments were very well done, and there was some good comedy in it.

The kids floating in the water I thought was quite disturbing.

But in the end, too many plot points were left unexplained, and even while this film is the longest Potter yet, the storytelling still feels rushed.

PoA remains my favorite.

- Marc

[Pieter Boelen 740]

I had just written rather a lengthy post about my views on PoA, but because, for some reason, this message board will not keep me logged in for longer than five minutes, I lost all of it. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Generally, I was saying that I don't really like PoA and was hoping you people could help me point out why, in fact, PoA is a great movie.

[BurgaFlippinMan 7]

I think the film is a fine and entertaining piece. On first impression, I felt it was slightly better than PoA. In retrospect, I have to give the cake back to PoA though.

The QWC was plain bad directing/scripting. The decision to axe the match was fine, the way it was done was not. Like others have said, it has this awesome buildup which just simply pumps up the adrenaline and just cuts to the tent. If only the screenwriter had taken more liberty, I think a great decision would be to have the Dark Mark appear DURING the match itself. That way we get to see a bit of the match (but not too much) and it won't be all that superfluous.

The plot moved quickly and coherent enough imho. Despite me only vaguely remembering the book (I had certain details like the courtroom scene and Barty Crouch nearly gone from my memory), I followed the plot easily enough. The only happening that wasnt explained enough was the death of Barty Crouch Sr.

[Lurker 5]

I had just written rather a lengthy post about my views on PoA, but because, for some reason, this message board will not keep me logged in for longer than five minutes, I lost all of it. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Generally, I was saying that I don't really like PoA and was hoping you people could help me point out why, in fact, PoA is a great movie.

Perhaps you should read this post.

Neil

[King Mark 3,631]

The QWC was plain bad directing/scripting. The decision to axe the match was fine, the way it was done was not. Like others have said, it has this awesome buildup which just simply pumps up the adrenaline and just cuts to the tent. If only the screenwriter had taken more liberty, I think a great decision would be to have the Dark Mark appear DURING the match itself. That way we get to see a bit of the match (but not too much) and it won't be all that superfluous.  

It looks more like they ran out of money for this movie in certain places.

k.M.

[nightscape94 965]

They only reason I can think of that the QWC was even included, was to introduce Lucius Malfoy like it's done in the novel. Honestly, I think it would have been much better to have him unseen until the very end. I actually would have rather seen just the tent scenes, and cut out the QWC entirely. It's better not to set something up you can't pay off then to build it then do nothing with it.

Tim

[lamiahp 0]

i have seen harry potter and the goblet of fire and i am a little bit sad the movie is not very good i prefer the prisonner of azkaban Alfonso cuaron directed the film better :cry:

(ps:use a vocabulary a little easy please for the answers because I am french and I don't speak french very well!!)

[robthehand 3]

You're French and you don't speak French very well???! :?

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

That would be English. Be nice to the newbies.

[DarkLord89 0]

Judging by the Italian translation, I didn't like Voldemort at all. It could have been more evil if Ralph Fiennes maintained the cold blood which characterized Voldemort in SS, CoS and in all the books. It was kind of too emotive for me. After all, he's a Dark Lord (START HALF-BLOOD PRINCE SPOILER) who has ripped his soul (END HALF-BLOOD PRINCE SPOILER). Couldn't have been a little more subtle than shouting all the time?!?

[DarkLord89 0]

have seen harry potter and the goblet of fire and i am a little bit sad the movie is not very good i prefer the prisonner of azkaban Alfonso cuaron directed the film better  

(ps:use a vocabulary a little easy please for the answers because I am french and I don't speak french very well!!)

Hey, I was just posting in lamiahp's thread, when I was suddenly blocked and thrown back into the main page!!! I've discovered just now that the posts were moved... However, I would've said almost the same things Marc wrote...

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

I was a bit disappointed by Fiennes' performance as well. He definitely looked the part, but he didn't restrain himself enough in his acting. He was bouncing and waving all over the place. Subtlety goes a long way, you know.

[deimos 0]

I finally saw the movie on Thursday, in the best conditions I could have asked for (DLP and superb sound). Nevertheless, I enetered the theater PoA was the best Potter movie for the time being and I left the theatre thinking the same.

The movie had a 'so what' feeling to it that you cannot afford, specially when you are talking about a 2 1/2 hours movie. I agree with Marc in that having the three tasks, that can't be cut, but that don't make the movie go forward, is a problem. But this isn't a good enough excuse. I have to admit that I enjoyed the character scenes, but the movie as a whole doesn't work as I would like. The subtletly from PoA has vanished (a reference to Pollyjuice Potion and Mad-eye drinking every ten minutes didn't help) and the the great combination of the Hogwarts routine and the amazing landscapes in Azkaban has completely gone.

The score was a big dissapointment in many scenes, specially the action cues. How much I missed Williams at that time. I was surprised by Voldemort though. It didn't convinced me on the CD, but taking into account most of it was underscore improved a bit my opinion. But it's still far from The Face of Voldemort. It's a shame Williams didn't score this.

I guess that having PoA in mind, a movie I liked for many reasons, was not the best for me to like GoF, but even if I try to forget the third movie, I see it clearly closer to CoS, with some good scenes in the middle.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Say this film tonight.

Pretty good, but as was indicated by Marian, the film really does not have a plot.

I thought this film was about Lord Voldemort returning.

Instead it's mostly about the 3 challenges and that ball, Lord Voldemort does appear in the end, but it has little to do with most of the film.

The challenges were well done, though I was confused by the rules.

Fleur fails the second one, yet she is still allowed to compete?

Are points given for every round...I could not really follow.

The interaction between the students was the best part of the film, I like the agression nearly everyone has towards Harry when they think he cheated his way into the tournament.

George and Fred were very good as comic relief, and it just felt very realistic.

The Yule Ball, though slowing the middle of the film down a bit (and really serving no purpose) was well done.

I loved Hermione's entrance, especially that girlish giggle when Krum escorts her to the ballroom.

Voldemorts return was pretty good, but it lacked the terror I was hoping it would have.

The cast was outstanding, with Gleason being exeptional.

Gambon has now succesfully taken over from Richard Harris, who did not enter into my mind once during this film.

Dead-eaters? what a silly name?

Do the followers of Voldemort eat the dead?

They could have just called themselves Prequel-friends.

They weren't really scary at all, BRING BACK THE DEMENTORS!

Though she didn't need to be in this movie, Miranda Richardson was delightfull as Rita Skeeter.

The conflicts between Ron and Harry and later Ron and Hermione was very well done. all 3 acters did very well in this film, with Watson again as the best.

I hope she gets other roles after this series ends.

Did Harry get a handjob by that female ghost in the tub?

What kinda school is this?

The music was very good, I can't say I missed John Williams at all

Doyle is a class act and as far as i'm concerned he can stick with the series.

Mike Newel's direction was overall fine and respectable.

Though lacking the visual flair that POA had. There are a lot of special effects in this film, but they didn't stand out as much.

However when you think about it, that's really a good thing, ILM did a very good job.

Hogwarts looks pretty much the same as the revised version from the previous film.

The school uniforms are back though.

Strangly enough it didn't make any difference for me.

Actually a very enjoyable film, with a less triumphant ending then the previous ones.

But it really felt more like a set up to the next film then anything else.

*** out of ****

[King Mark 3,631]

The music was very good, I can't say I missed John Williams at all

this would get you banned,had I gotten the Motherator job.

k.m.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I hear you were on the shortlist, untill they realised you never used a space after a comma....

[DarkLord89 0]

Instead it's mostly about the 3 challenges and that ball, Lord Voldemort does appear in the end, but it has little to do with most of the film.

In fact the main plot of the story is the Triwizard Tournament. Lord Voldemort's return is a big twist in the tale of the grand plot of all the seven books, but the story is centered about the Tournament as disputed by Harry, and about how it turns out to be actually Voldemort's scheme to return.

Fleur fails the second one, yet she is still allowed to compete?

The Champions have all to play all the task. Their scores in the first and second task determine how well they can start the third one. Then he who wins the last task... takes all.

I like the agression nearly everyone has towards Harry when they think he cheated his way into the tournament.

Of course they had to cut it, but this subplot was further developed in the book, showing how the "Potter Stinks" logos come from another pin Hermione created before that, asking for civil rights for the house-elves (the whole S.P.E.W. subplot...)

Voldemorts return was pretty good, but it lacked the terror I was hoping it would have.

As Roald would say, I agree with you 100%.

Dead-eaters? what a silly name?  

Do the followers of Voldemort eat the dead?

DEATH-Eaters. Don't know why JKR called them like that. I can tell that the charm to cast the Dark Mark ("Morsmordre") comes from the latin "mors mordere", which means "to bit death".

They could have just called themselves Prequel-friends.

Hey, we're not so evil!!!

They weren't really scary at all, BRING BACK THE DEMENTORS!

Just wait one more film...

Did Harry get a handjob by that female ghost in the tub?

Well, Myrtle fancies Harry, that's true, but not ONLY him (just wait for H-BP...)

The music was very good, I can't say I missed John Williams at all  

Doyle is a class act and as far as i'm concerned he can stick with the series.

That's a blasphemy, you know?

it really felt more like a set up to the next film then anything else.

Alas, this was supposed to be a mark point, not a set up...

Just to make that clear, I'm not defending GoF by taking answers from the book. I'm only pointing out how the books are, overall, best than the movies.

Matt

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

I like the agression nearly everyone has towards Harry when they think he cheated his way into the tournament.

Of course they had to cut it, but this subplot was further developed in the book, showing how the "Potter Stinks" logos come from another pin Hermione created before that, asking for civil rights for the house-elves (the whole S.P.E.W. subplot...)

Didn't Malfoy create these badges? Maybe inspired by the S.P.E.W. badges, but I don't recall them being bewitched S.P.E.W. badges.

[Marian Schedenig 8,214]

Read the book again.

Marian -

[lamiahp 0]

the movie harry potter 4 is less good realised by mike newell! the third harry potter is better realized by alfonso cuaron and there are more suspense in the 3

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Read the book again.

Marian -

Nu-uh.

When [Harry] and Hermione arrived outside Snape's dungeon after lunch, they found the Slytherins waiting outside, each and every one of them wearing a large badge on the front of his or her robes. For one wild moment Harry thought they were S.P.E.W. badges - then he saw that they all bore the same message, in luminous red letters that burnt brightly in the dimly lit underground passage:

Support CEDRIC DIGGORY -

the REAL Hogwarts Champion!

'Like them, Potter?' said Malfoy loudly, as Harry approached. 'And this isn't all they do - look!'

He pressed his badge into his chest, and the message upon it vanished, to be replaced by another one, which glowed green:  

POTTER STINKS

Harry mistakes them for S.P.E.W. badges, but it's not what they actually are. I don't recall Hermione selling a lot of badges either, that were later turned into the "Potter Stinks" badges.

[DarkLord89 0]

Didn't Malfoy create these badges? Maybe inspired by the S.P.E.W. badges, but I don't recall them being bewitched S.P.E.W. badges.

I didn't mean that. Sorry. I meant that Hermione had the idea of the badges first, but to do another thing.

[Mr. Breathmask 555]

Alright then.

[nightscape94 965]

Let me sum up the last few posts by saying I'm glad the S.P.E.W. stuff was left out of the film

Tim

[Marian Schedenig 8,214]

Hm. I thought they were bewitched spew badges.

Marian - :oops:

[Docteur Qui 1,544]

Entertaining movie. Brendan Gleeson was outstanding, and I was happy to see Rickman and Smith get a bit more to chew on; the latter may as well have skipped PoA. Though I question Dumbledore's random acts of violence, I still appreciate Gambon, and see his behaviour as a result of direction (he was perfect in PoA) as opposed to Gambon's conscious decisions. The plot was mercifuly lean, but could have been leaner to make way for fresh air (a la PoA). The Second Task does nothing to advance the plot, only satisfying the requirements of the competition. As great as Miranda Richardson was, her character was superfluous apart from creating tension between Harry and Ron. Krum did disappointingly little, and Fleur wasn't hostile enough (all she did was scream a lot). Cedric was great though, and appropriately had us actally caring once the deed was done.

The highlight was definitely Harry returning from the maze. The change in mood, Fleur's scream, the MUSIC and for the first time Radcliffe's crying created a heart-wrenching moment. Amos' cries of "my boy!" were unbearable. It made me care about a character I was essentialy indifferent to when reading the book.

Doyle's score was very good. If he referred to previous themes more (apart from several forced quotes of "Hedwig's Theme") then it would have been fantastic - imagine a bold statement of Fawkes' theme followed by Harry's new theme and the "Past" theme in counterpoint during Priori Incantatem! Oh well, I was happy enough with the music and I'm considering buying the album (I'll conveniently leave off the last three songs if I get an iPod soon).

The jury's still out on whether I preferred this or PoA, though I'm leaning towards the latter. Still, I enjoyed it, and I wouldn't bat an eyelid if Newell returned (though I'd prefer Cuaron to!).

***1/2 out of *****

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

The highlight was definitely Harry returning from the maze. The change in mood, Fleur's scream, the MUSIC and for the first time Radcliffe's crying created a heart-wrenching moment. Amos' cries of "my boy!" were unbearable. It made me care about a character I was essentialy indifferent to when reading the book.  

It was the same for me too, which I thought was interesting. When I read the book, I was like "Oh...well, at least it was anyone important," although the aftermath with his parents and Dumbledore's speech was emotional. But yeah, the return from the maze is the most affecting part in the film. Very well done.

Ray Barnsbury

[Morlock 11]

Saw the movie tonight. Major dissapointment. I think the most it can muster from me at the moment is a **1/2/****, though I will almost certainly see it again in the theater.

I want to post my thoughs before reading other reviews, so I'll probably be repeating some of the stuff said here.

Structuraly, it is an absolute mess. PoA may have been choppy, but it's nothing compared to this. Outside of the Maze/Graveyard scenes, I can think of no two major scenes that fit together. NOTHING is properly built up and paid off.

It feels like this happened over and intense couple of months, not a whole year, which was one of the things that made the book so great in my eyes- the balanced sturcture. It happened over the 10 months of the school year because it HAD to. The story evolved with the timeline, not "fit" to the timeline so that it begins around September and ends around June. The World Cup and Tri-Wizard tournament framed the story perfectly. It's not like the other books, where nothing special happens for two months because it is too early in the school year. This perfect structure is IMO the greatest accomplishment of the fourth book, and it allowed the brilliant, flowing, story-telling. The movie messed it up completely, making the film an episodic mess that can only work on a scene by scene basis.

That is really my main problem with the film, most of my other complaints would be further examples of that. I didn't feel anything in this movie be consistant all the way through, including the characters (save maybe Dumbledore).

The extended Horntail chase is just idiotic. Doesn't make sense (The judges don't know what went on), and is just a waste of screen time.

All that being said (and that is saying a whole lot- that $%&*% up just about every single scene in the entire film), there were still a lot of things to like about it (picked out, one by one, by a tweezer, though they might be).

I loved the Main Titles, like the others. Nice, simple, direct, yet still commands some awe, no doubt partially because of the music. I love Doyle's Main Titles, and got a real flush of excitment at hearing the theme. I must say, Doyle was very respectful in that sense- you may not hear it on the album, but you really feel it in the movie every time Hedwig's theme is played, and it is very nice that it also opens the end credits. More on the score later.

I loved the Quidditch World Cup, the introduction of the teams is one of the more thrilling images the serie has provided. But the way it is cut off is almost heartbreaking.

Roger Lloyd-Pack looked perfect for the part of Crouch. I always imagined Crouch as more of a Victor Garber type, but Lloyd-Pack looks perfect. But too bad about that voice....I think Crouch needed a firm, steely voice.

I besicaly like the stuff with Crouch Jr., too, but the thing with his tongue is disgusting and just plain unnecassery. He should be someone you at least partially admire for his ingenuity, but you just want to make him stop being so gross.

I loved the Pensieve scene. Great look.

Gambon was fantastic here. I like the edgy-ness, how he yells for Harry. I liked the set-up of the Goblet scene (when he calls out the names). I imagined it very differenatly, I liked the informal attitude the students had about it.

Ah, Brendan Gleeson. I don't think any actor has ever given me more joy on screen. I just wish I could frame every perfect expression, every ingeniusly uttered syllable.

Miranda Richardson was fantastic in the first scene. But I really missed John Hurt. You've got an excuse to use John Hurt...and you pass it up? unforgivable.

I loved Grint over here. Watson was waaaaay too huffy over here. And nothing she wears in this film beat the Blue jeans/Pink Sweater combo from PoA.

Radcliffe I think was very good, but a couple of scenes he seemed a bit too childish, too naive. And his hair was too messy.

I hated the humor in the film. There were a few good jokes, but most of them were horendous, stuff that I suspect Newell brought over from soem of his previous films. Terribley out of place, IMO. And I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking the Jarvis Cocker thing was and eye and ear soar. Yuck. Totaly ruined any magic the film ahad built up to that point.

The lake scene was okay, but the terrible, terrible looking puppets made me want to strangle the filmmakers. So needlessly sloppy.

The Maze was fantastic. I would have liked to see a ccouple of monsters, but it was fine the way they did it. That is one scene that just felt right, pacing and all.

The Graveyard scene was okay......whenever you didn't see Voldermort's face. That is the best the y could do? A fake looking mask? For me, they totally droped the ball on that one. This should be the scariest, most awe inspiring scene we've ever seen. The most evil dude in the history of Evil is reborn. What do we get? Some cool flashing lights and a badly lit, terribly made up Ralph Fiennes, looking less imposing than any of the people surrounding him. Though the bits with Wormtail were perfect.

They did not explain Priori incantatum in any satisfactory way, kinda big foul up. And the long line of unstisfactory closing scenes was continued. The tone of it is totally wrong. When I finished the book, I was so friggin' psyched. Like, this is it. It is happening. The enemy has revealed himself, now all the forces of good are going ot rise up and fight it. But this takes the same cheery tone of the other films, and ends totally uncliactically.

F/X varied, but overall, I thought they were quite good. Dragon was great. Merpeople sucked.

About the score: I really liked it in the film. I think it was mixed fine, I noticed it at practicaly every point (in a good way, not in an obtrusive way). I'm dissapinted that we couldn't get a better album, but I couldn't hope for a score to better serve the film (okay- save the comedy stuff. Doyle gets too carried away with that).

Okay, so let's sum this up as far as Morlock is concerned.

Directing: Quite bad

Writing: Bad

Editing: Well, if the first two are true, I can't really know

Scoring: Excellent

Production Design: Very good

Costume Design: Very good

Acting: Very good wherever applied, but overall, a waste of such a phenominal cast

Makeup: Ranging from subpar to very bad

F/X: Quite good

In my book, PoA is still the best HP film, though there is still a lot of work to do in order to get the kind of film the books fully deserve. I think that CoS & SS and GoF are severly lacking, each in a totally different way (though overall lack of style is prominant in both, especialy when compared to PoA). I'm not sure about the ranking of the film yet- I'll have to see GoF again. Who knows, maybe I'll find some structure next time.

Morlock- who will now proceed to skim the thread

[Marian Schedenig 8,214]

I agree with much you've said. I thought Fiennes' makeup was fine though, but some of the rebirth scene was a bit rushed and undramatic. And I'll challenge anyone who says anything against Watson.

But I couldn't help noticing: You didn't mention the Yule Ball!

Marian - who wants to watch the movie again whenever he hears the Yule Ball cues on the CD.

[Romão 2,274]

I totally agree with you Morlock.

Romão, who always enjoys Morlock's reviews, although we don't always agree.

[Morlock 11]

I forgot to talk about the ball specifically- I touched parts of it. I hated the Cocker stuff, and Hermione's general huffy-ness. I was really pissed off at Harry for messing up the champions entrance by being so short and scruffy, ruining the beatiful looking entrance!

I did not get good vibes from the ball. The stuff surrounding the above mentioned drawbacks were not bad, but I didn't think they were particulaly good, except for the way Ron said no to Padme Patil (or was it Parvatti?).

I see that a lot of what I said is shared by other people, except for the fact that for the experience was more bad than good.

[Composer_Fan 2]

I was really pissed off at Harry for messing up the champions entrance by being so short and scruffy, ruining the beatiful looking entrance!

I thought that's how it was in the book. He couldn't dance, and he wasn't good at the whole formal thing... I just remember reading it as he stuck out like a sore thumb.

Right?

[Morlock 11]

Yeah, that wasn't meant as a critique of the movie, but of the character, taken from the book. It was just right, but I was still dissapointed that such a great looking entrance was ruined by Harry.

Morlock- who has decided that he does like the film, even though it is overall a bad film, especialy if you haven't read the books. The film came out the way I was afraid it would come out, especialy with Newell at the helm.