Out of the 734 pages that make up the book of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the filmmakers of the movie picked only the most worthy chapters and put them on the big screen.
However, by being over two hours long, they also kept in some scenes that drag a little, so you have time to take a pee break.
Pee Break One: Before the Movie
If you are not on the Harry Potter band wagon, or stepped off of it from finishing the latest book over the summer, get back on and hurry. The three main friends consisting of Harry, Ron, and Hermione start off the movie by transporting through a Portkey which is a busted-up boot that literally throws people to the ground in another world. Once they land, the three of them go to the Quidditch version of our World Cup.
Before, I thought Harry's visits to Diagon Alley were colorful, but this is much better. The true scene stealer is an opening Quidditch match between the Irish and Bulgarians. Both of the teams shoot off fireworks that are equal to the hobbits' in the first Lord of the Rings movie.
The Quidditch World Cup ends quickly when a posse of grim reaper type monsters known as Death Eaters trash all of the beloved fan's camp sites. When the three arrive at Hogwarts, the entire film centers around three things: the Triwizard tournament, the Yule Ball, and the newest Defense for the Dark Arts professor, Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson.)
The Triwizard Tournament is a spectacle that needs to be seen. It's an international Wizardry school competition. Even though only three people are allowed to be picked, by the Goblet of Fire itself, Harry's name spits out of the ornate blue flames causing uproar between faculty and students.
I could go on and describe this tournament, but I'll let you see the movie for yourself. I do have to mention that the underwater sequence is truly something that can't be missed. It might not support the plot or enhance the character's development, but it is definitely the most memorable part of the movie.
Pee Break Two: Yule Ball Sequence
Between the tournament's tasks, Harry, Ron, and Hermione go to the Yule Ball which is a Prom for Wizards. It unleashes the raging hormones and crushes that the characters have on each other, but doesn't dwell on them too much.
Mad Eye Moody is the most colorful character of the bunch. Hagrid, Ron, Snape, Dumbledore, or Malfoy can't touch the amusement that Mad Eye creates. He has this robotic, digital eye that is plastered onto his face and resembles a beat-up sea pirate from the future. Another new character that is introduced is Rita Skeeter, a journalist who has no ethics.
Overall, the Goblet of Fire is top notch. Equal to the Prisoner of Azkaban and better than the first 2 Harry Potter movies. The movie is much darker, but since shooting for the next installment is reported to take place next February, the darkness helps set the mood that there is much more to learn in the world of Harry Potter and maybe even a better HP movie to see.
Trying to pinpoint some criticisms, HP highly concentrates on the Triwizard Tournament, so all of the characters besides Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) receive very little screen time. There are no scenes with the Dursley's, the English family that Harry spent the beginning of the last three movies with, but once you become enraptured with the beginning Quidditch matches, you completely forget.
I give Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 4.5 out of 5 Roses.
