Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire Review
From the beginning to the end, the latest installment of the Harry Potter series was, for lack of a better word, “magical”. Harry, Hermione, Ron and the gang are in their fourth year at Hogwarts. We begin the action at the Quidditch World Cup, which has all the excitement and fanfare of any international sporting event.
Someone sends off the symbol of Voldemort. Yes, that evil, dastardly wicked wizard is back (and played by Ralph Fiennes, no less!). Harry, of course, is in the center of the controversy. He didn’t see who set off the symbol but insists it wasn’t him.
And all this occurs before they head off to school for the year!
Once at Hogwarts, the students learn that their beloved educational institution is hosting the tri-wizard tournament. Young witches and wizards from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons head over to Hogwarts, complete with a bucket-load of pomp and circumstance. Barty Crouch Sr., the head of the Ministry of Magic, announces that only students 17 years old and over can enter the tri-wizard tournament because it’s quite dangerous.
Lo and behold, Harry Potter – who is only 14, is entered into the tourney. His classmates, including Ron, think he bucked the system and got his name in there. We know it wasn’t Harry but, who?
Who knows? It’s time to go to their first Defense against the Dark Arts class of the season. The new teacher this year is Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody. He once hunted down dark wizards. He looks and acts crazy – and is always chugging down on some crazy-looking brew that everyone assumes is alcohol. We shall discover later that the brew is indeed something much worse.
“Mad-Eye” Moody takes quite a liking to Harry and helps him with the tri-wizard tasks. The first task has the four contestants – Fleur Delacour (Clemence Poesy), Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski), and Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson), who happens to be the ‘rightful’ contestant from Hogwarts, grabbing an egg which contains the clue to the next task. They must get the clue away from one of four frightening dragons.
The second task involves the water and mer-people. Each student must save someone they care for. Harry saves Ron and Fleur’s sister, Gabrielle, as Fleur could not complete the task. He earns the respect of his classmates, a kiss from Fleur and extra points for exhibiting extreme moral ‘fiber’ for this selfless act.
However, the contest – and the movie – is far from over. Throw in a great Christmas ball. Some jealousy – yes, Ron is jealous that Hermione has won the attentions of Viktor Krum. Of course, in the book, we learn exactly why. Can you guess?
As spring comes to Hogwarts, the final competition of the tri-wizard tournament occurs. The four contestants must travel through a maze. In the maze is the championship cup! The one who gets the cup wins the prize. However, it’s not that simple. The maze is full of pitfalls and bewitchments. Krum becomes like an animal and almost hurts Fleur. Harry and Cedric battle over the cup. In the end, Cedric – who is very honorable and nice – tells Harry that he should take the cup for helping him out.
Both of the young men decide to grab hold of the cup, which is a portal key. Moody had placed the cup inside the maze and bewitched it. The portal key took the boys to Lord Voldemort’s lair. Voldemort returns with the help of Wormtail and Barty Crouch Jr.!
Cedric is killed in the battle against Voldemort. Harry is almost done in. He is helped by the spirits of his parents and Cedric in an emotional climax. Harry returns to Hogwarts a champion but is distraught over Cedric’s demise. Moody takes Harry aside under the pretense of helping him. Then, we learn the truth – Moody is NOT Moody, but Barty Crouch Jr. He has been drinking a potion to keep himself looking like Moody.
Harry is saved yet again and ready to take on the world in the Order of the Phoenix and the Half-Blood Prince. Yes, the Harry Potter saga is not over yet – although, Ms. Rowling should complete it soon. Otherwise, her young actors will need to be replaced. Harry, Hermione, Ron and the rest are growing up fast!
Overall, I’d say that Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the best Harry Potter film yet. It’s part comedy, part thriller, part action-adventure and all wonderfully written and acted. There is a reason that these movies are so popular, just like the books. They’re wonderful fun for the whole family!
Author: Facts Jokes N Fun
