Review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) by Josh K — 22 Sep 2014

Mike Newell takes over as director, crafting a dark and complex Potter film, with a strong thriller like aspect.

The film opens with Harry, Hermione, Ron and some the Weasley family going to see the Quidditch World Cup. After an attack by the Death Eaters, Voldemort's former followers, Harry, Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts, where they find out that the Tri-Wizard Tournament will take place at Hogwarts, with two other schools competing against Hogwarts in the tournament. After Harry is revealed as a fourth contestant, everyone wonders how Harry has managed to slip his name into the tournament.

This film is darker than the third, while taking a different route. Apart from the complexity, the film is still easy to follow.

Mike Newell is a terrific director to take on Potter, adding something different, while also wonderfully going through each tournament. As with the previous two directors, Columbus and Cuaron, Newell loves this story and you can see that everyone is having a great time under his direction.

Michael Gambon extends his part as Dumbledore, this time having more to do, while also trying to figure out how Harry entered the tournament. Brendan Gleeson steals the film as Mad-Eye Moody, the latest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who acts as a mentor to Harry. Gleeson has a fun time with the role, which he easily relishes.

The real standout in the film is Ralph Fiennes, who depicts Voldemort after he becomes resurrected. Despite only appearing in the film for nine minutes, Fiennes commands every scene that he's in, adding real darkness and malice to his role, which wonderfully brings Voldemort to life. The scene where Fiennes and Radcliffe work off of each other is fantastic.

Roger Pratt's cinematography brings a real sense of dread and misery to the film, while Patrick Doyle's score supports much of the action, as well as the characters.

While the film leaves out a key piece of information toward the end: Crouch's escape from Azkaban and Dumbledore's plans of reforming the Order, this is still a great film, making this is one of my top favorite Potter films.

You can almost call this the turning point, since everything changes after it. Outstanding.