Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)

Directed by: Mike Newell | 157 minutes | adventure, family, fantasy | Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Timothy Spall, Ralph Fiennes, Miranda Richardson, Robert Pattinson, Stanislav Ianevski, Clémence Poésy, Shirley Henderson

After a year of waiting, the fourth part of the more than successful book series ‘Harry Potter’ is also out on film. Part four, ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ is the thickest book made into a movie to date. There were first votes to make no less than two films, but Newell eventually decided to make one. This was at the expense of a number of loyal characters who now not or rarely appear in it, a disappointment for many fans. But they don’t have much time to dwell on this: the film is all tension and sensation.

‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ opens promisingly, almost immediately it becomes clear that this is the darkest of the four. The special effects and especially the background music are so good that you are completely absorbed in it and you find yourself in a completely different world in no time. It’s not even noticeable that the actors are dubbed. The voice actors fit into their roles in such a way that it comes across as natural, apart from the fact that the lips don’t move in sync. But who notices that when you jump from one exciting scene to the next? The acting talent of the young (and old) actors, which has greatly improved since the first film, also speaks volumes.

The film mainly revolves around the competition and the spectacle of the Goblet of Fire to be won. A lot of the subplots don’t develop as well during the film, so for laymen it all seems to go very quickly, but the fans understand exactly how it works. Despite the fact that parts are missing, the film still lasts more than two and a half hours. However, time seems to magically fly by. This long seat will also not be a problem for the smaller children.

The age rating is higher than in the previous films and ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ now even bears the stamp of ‘thriller’. But because it also contains a large number of hilarious scenes – including Professor McGonagall’s dance lesson and Professor Moody’s special way of teaching – the film is also suitable for younger viewers.

The threat is emphatically present in the film and even comes out slightly better than in the book. Fans have speculated for months about Lord Voldemort’s possible appearance in full glory and are not disappointed. The scene in which He-Who-May-Not-Be Named returns for good is the most intense scene in the entire film history of ‘Harry Potter’. Spectacular, as is the appearance of his loyal followers, the Death Eaters.

With this film adaptation of ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’, Newell has proven that in addition to comedies like ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and a drama like ‘Mona Lisa Smile’, he also has the talent to turn the most popular children’s book into a satisfying spectacle. that won’t disappoint fans.