Goblet of Fire Movie Review (NO SPOILERS)

Here it is, the non-spoiler filled review for Goblet of Fire.

There are two fairly big complaints that keep me from enjoying this movie as much as humanly possible.
One, the beginning just goes way too fast. Blink you’re here. Blink you’re on the train to Hogwarts. Way to condense 158 pages (US, paperback).

Two, Warner Bros. – I and every other fan have enjoyed the flood of clips and pictures, but as weird as this sounds, could you bring out less of them for Order of the Phoenix?

Less is more, thank you very much, especially at the rate the movie moves. There were a few funny bits that didn’t go out in advance, but still. This brings me to the trio themselves:

Harry
By far Dan Radcliffe has grown into his role so well you’d not believe he was the same stammering kid from Philosopher’s Stone. Gone are the wonder-filled (and almost annoying when you see them return in Chamber of Secrets) kicks of “hang on” as you watch Harry’s brain click-slide into place. Instead this is a Harry that knows what the deal is, and furthermore, doesn’t like it very much. Our movie Harry shows bits and streaks of sarcasm and a sense of humor that was totally lacking in Prisoner of Azkaban.

Ron
Finally, those of you as fed up as I am with rubberfaced goofy expression Ron can breathe a bit in relief. Yeah, there’s moments, but there are thankfully less of them, as if he was over that phase (now, get over the long haired Scooby-Doo Shaggy look and we’re on to something). Rupert Grint has finally added some dimension to Ron that doesn’t involve an excess of facial contortion – not a lot, but enough.

Hermione
Oh Hermione. Now, I do have a soft spot for Hermione, but she simply sparkled through the movie. Hermione definitely steals the scene away from Ron, and often.

No review would be complete without an assessment of the newcomers, who by and large did not say much.

Cho Chang
Very sweet and awkward and not entirely polished. It will be interesting to see if Katie Leung returns for Order of the Phoenix.

Cedric Diggory
Tall, handsome, clean-cut and perfectly cast as the ‘hero’ of Hogwarts. Very noble – just when you think he’s probably going to land a comment or something that comes off too arrogant, he drops a nice word Harry’s way. You can’t help but like Robert Pattinson’s Cedric.

Fleur Delacour
A bit frazzled and frantic, Poesy’s version of Fleur works and really is just pretty enough to be convincing.

Viktor Krum
By the time he says something you go “wait, who was .. oh that’s Viktor!”, but he really doesn’t say much.

The adults of note:
Mad-Eye Moody
Less clever people would think he was just a mere drunkard through the movie. Sly, demented, and a bit frightful, he shows compassion at all the right moments.

Barty Crouch, Jr.
Someone needs to remind me to check out Dr. Who in a serious way. Tennant was properly unhinged from start to finish.

Rita Skeeter
Creepy journalist with more flash than facts? Check! Nailed it perfectly, I believe.

Voldemort
Creepy with mezmerizing eyes, Fiennes almost makes you forget just how.. Voldemort looking he is. They didn’t go over the top here. Thumbs up.

And the returnees?
By and large, most of them were hilarious and much needed comic relief in spots.

There were things that made me go “huh?”, and many favorite little touches. I honestly didn’t miss the plot bits that were spared to trim things down. There were a few cringeworthy moments, and a couple of them probably could have been harmlessly cut.

The film is not entirely accessible to the non-hardcore Potter-fan, but followable enough if you don’t understand a lot of the details, you still get enough of a fine story. (Drag those significant others if you must, but they may just enjoy meeting you after for coffee.)

It’s not a 10 star movie, no, but it’d score at least a fine eight and a half.

But seriously? Move over, Azkaban. You’ve been dethroned.