Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – Film Review

Posted by Samuel Walters

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a significant step backward for the Harry Potter franchise. In truth, the movie isn’t a failure, but it’s all style, with very little substance. And, too, the creative liberties taken with this particular film severely undermine the story’s main thematic elements – of people having to work together in spite of any differences they may have. Instead, we’re treated to nothing more than a simple Hollywood blockbuster formula, playing up empty action and VFX sequences at the expense of the heart and depth of the characters and their interrelationships.

One of the main issues with the film, from a narrative standpoint, is its lack of conflict (inner or outer) throughout much of the story. Indeed, the film seems set up to do little more than move Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) from one Triwizard Tournament even to another. Oh sure, we see his first kiss, his spat with Ron, and so forth. But these are merely window dressing when compared to the underlying theme of unity.

The tournament events themselves are altered, playing more for action set pieces than for their challenges to Harry’s character. The film gives a higher priority to a pointless chase sequence involving a dragon (one that never took place in the book) over Harry’s inner strength at facing the unknown. The same goes for the gillyweed which is given to Harry as a plot device, rather than demonstrating his growing lack of focus or determination. Furthermore, the condensation of the Crouch storyline – to include the son in the opening scene, simply doesn’t work.

The film really only gains momentum after Cedric and Harry both grab hold of the Triwizard Cup and are transported to the graveyard in which Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) will soon arise. These sequences do establish an immediate sense of tension and suspense, but are unable to conjure up the horribly ominous dread that the book was able to convey. And even worse, when Harry does have his confrontation with Voldemort, the dueling wands is both anticlimactic and cringeworthy. Put simply, the closeup camera on Harry’s face during the duel is not kind at all. It’s neither heroic nor triumphant. Just embarrassing.

The film’s worst mistake, however, is saved for the very end. The crowning moment of the book was when, after Cornelius Fudge refuses to accept Harry’s story that Voldemort has returned, Dumbledore reconvenes the Order of the Phoenix right there in the hospital wing. It’s that moment, especially when Severus Snape accepts Dumbledore’s request, that seals the theme of unity. And it is completely missing from the film.

Inexcusable.

And that’s nothing compared to the acting gaffes of Rita Skeeter and Dumbledore. In fact, Dumbledore’s performance is easily the worst to date, with actor Michael Gambon over emoting at every step making Dumbledore to seem more like an out of control lunatic, rather than the calm, introspective professor shown in the books.

And finally …

The music. The Goblet of Fire is the first Harry Potter film to be scored without John Williams. Of course, Patrick Doyle makes liberal use of Williams’ themes (particularly Hedwig’s Theme), but the rest of the score is nondescript at best, and amateurish at worst.

Overall Grade: C-

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is easily the worst film of the first four installments of the Harry Potter series. That the franchise takes another step backward in Order of the Phoenix seems inexplicable. And yet, the seeds for its demise are sown here – with a deliberate focus on style rather than substance.

Topics: Fantasy, Film Review
Filed under: Harry Potter