Dir. Mike Newell, UK/US, 2005, 157mins
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes
Review by Becky Day
2001 saw the release of the screen adaptation one of world’s best loved children’s books, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone”. Two more films followed where in each adventure we were taken to a land of wizardry, quidditch matches and magical duels. Now, in 2005, the magical teen trio return in a third sequel with a compellingly different touch.
This year, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are joined by two other schools for the ‘Triwizard Tournament’, in which the most talented pupil from each will be submitted to death defying challenges as they attempt win the Triwizard Cup. The cup selects three champions from each school who are to compete and the last piece of parchment it spits out bears the name ‘Harry Potter’. Whether chosen by fate, or by magic, Harry (Radcliffe) now has mentally and physically demanding tasks to endure during the course of the school year. At the same time, he has to deal with teen hormones, Hermione’s ever raising eyebrows, learning to dance and his burning scar…
Brendan Gleeson plays the new defence against the arts teacher war-torn “Mad-Eye” Moody. He is a stupendous character and has all the best qualities that you look for in a teacher – an unorthodox approach to teaching, a revolving eye, a drinking problem, and very little patience.
With characters like Moody, The Goblet of Fire is as vibrant as any of the Potter series, but with even more depth, charisma and atmosphere. Classified a 12A movie means some of the younger fans may miss out, but there are elements that are frightening to view even for the adult. The tone has changed dramatically and is much darker, due in part to the maturing of the youngsters and because of Harry’s seclusion. Harry feels very isolated because whilst everyone is trying to help him to win the cup, he just doesn’t want it.
Still, with this being a Warner Brothers Picture there are some giggles amidst the murkiness. Harry’s best friend Ron (Grint) still has the worst luck and a mother with poor taste in clothing, and his elder twin brothers continue conjuring magical mayhem. Also, romance is definitely in the air as Ron and Hermione (Watson) begin to realise a change in their relationship. Even the Hogwart’s caretaker Hagrid has an encounter with the rather large head mistress of the Beauxbatons Academy… Well at least it’s not a dragon or a hippogriff.
Even if any of the other Harry Potter films didn’t appeal to you because of its chocolate frogs and butterbeer endings, the darker tone may well prove worth your time.
