hannah_x
Posts: 1
Joined: 17/6/2007
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Potter-mania seems unstoppable and the high standards and hype surrounding the previous films have sent the nations expectations of this latest contribution spiralling out of control. True, there's still that winning cocktail of engaging characters, stunning special effects and award-winning action sequences but it feels as though the true gems of this film have been lost in an effort to cut down the running time. However, it is a thoroughly enjoyable affair though admittedly not for the younger audience Harry Potter originally attracted. The large array of new characters add another level to our knowledge of the wizarding world as we meet the charming (literally!) girls of Beauxbatons Academy and the Nordic male-model-look-alikes from Durmstrang Institute and these are bound to stir up feelings of lust from the maturing Harry and friends.
This is by far the most sinister of the films, with even seemingly light hearted scenes such as the Quidditch World Cup being overshadowed by the dark forces of You Know Who and his Death Eaters who seem to be some kind of modern, magical Ku Klux Clan (with wands). Sadly, this scene appears to have been edited down a lot, leaving the viewer with just a few minutes to marvel at the sheer splendour of the computer-generated stadium and Glastonbury-like setting where the avid Quidditch fans set up camp. This is just one of many examples throughout the film where the viewer feels almost cheated as vital parts of the book are lost in transition to the screen. With its spectacular special effects and terror-inducing followers of the Dark Lord, this scene had the potential to be huge but the rushed approach means it fails to reach the true 'wow' factor.
Although some elements of the film are a let down, it would be impossible not to be impressed by the sheer quality of acting and the depth of the characters in this film. The focus seems to have shifted from the non-stop action plots of the previous films to the emotional maturing of the three friends – Hermione even manages to shed her geeky image and the obvious chemistry between her and Ron leaves the audience almost screaming at him to ask her to the ball. Harry also grows up dramatically and for the first time begins to take an interest in girls (a certain Cho Chang in particular). It would take the most hard-hearted of people not to be amused by the antics of the two twins Fred and George who add a comic edge to an otherwise sinister production. Even the "witless wonder” Neville Longbottom has his hour of glory when his knowledge of Herbology helps Harry complete one of the challenges. One of the new additions this year is Alastor "Mad-Eye” Moody (yet another new Defence against the Dark arts teacher) and he seems to have an oddly overpowering presence in the film, lurking behind very corner, his eye roving madly as he turns the slimy Draco Malfoy into a ferret in order to "teach him a lesson”. Rita Skeeter (Miranda Richardson) also makes her debut appearance as the gossip-mongering journalist, obviously a dig at the media by Rowling. Although there are numerous new characters for the audience to become acquainted with, it's hard not to feel that some of the old favourites are glimpsed only briefly as the plot rushes on. Where are the Durseleys, Snape, Malfoy and all the others that we've come to know and love (or at least love to hate)? Perhaps a little more focus on these characters and a little less on the persistent full-on action sequences would have left the audience feeling more satisfied.
However, Newell's action scenes are flawless, in particular those depicting the challenges which Harry must undertake as part of the Triwizard Tournament. The dragons in the first challenge are so life-like that for a few minutes even the most down-to-earth of us can believe that this alternative world of witchcraft and wizardry really does exist. Similarly the murky world of the merpeople Harry must then enter is so well constructed that it is almost impossible to criticise – something which can be said for all of the settings in this film. Hogwarts is as grand as ever and there is something strangely comforting about the familiarity of the Great Hall with its floating candles and weather-reflecting ceiling. The various locations of the film do their job perfectly – they draw the viewer in and make them feel as if they too are part of this magical, mystical world.
Although Newell pulls off the action-packed scenes with huge success, he still manages to outdo himself with showing the adolescent anxieties and testing times which the teenage heroes must face. This makes the Yule Ball one of the most effective scenes in the entire film as we see Ron and Harry face the traumas of trying to find a date for the Yule Ball. Here the audience witness the clumsiness of two maturing boys trying to get a grip on their new feelings and this serves as a reminder as to just how much these characters have grown up since the first film. The ball also confirms the viewer's ever-growing suspicions that there could be something going on between Ron and Hermione (but we'll have to wait for yet another film to find out more). Even Hagrid catches the love-bug as he attempts to woo the mammoth Madame Maxime and this balances out the growing darkness with that important touch of light-hearted fun although it must be said that this is the first film featuring such obvious themes of love and lust – a sign that Harry really is starting to grow up.
So many different plots and sub-plots in one film have led to many of the key scenes feeling as though they've been edited down and many parts of the book are missed out entirely. Say goodbye to the ongoing feud between Harry and Malfoy, Hermione's campaign for the house-elves and secret meetings with Sirius. Instead these are replaced by yet more in-your-face action meaning that just watching this film is exhausting.
The final scene however, is an achievement in its own right. The maze and its various horrors is worthy of any decent fantasy-horror film and Ralph Fiennes is the perfect Voldemort – arrogant, terrifying and strangely snake-like. True class. It's scenes like this which really redeem this film.
VerdictThis film contains some of the best action scenes yet and the special effects can only be described as breath-taking and are definitely a victory for technology. However, what lets it down more is what hasn't been included and the editing which leaves the film choppy and without the flow the previous films had – after a while the non-stop action is similar to being beaten round the head by a Bludger. Perhaps a little more room to breathe between action scenes would have worked more wizardry on the audience and made it a more enjoyable experience.
< Message edited by hannah_x -- 17/6/2007 3:12:50 PM >
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Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire - 
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