By [Losing My Virginity articles are reviews written by someone who still hasn’t seen an incredibly popular movie after all these years. LMV reviews are interesting in that they can offer the perspective of a person who’s untainted by the cloud of commonness that surrounded a famous film of the past, and also show how well it has stood the test of time.]
I have to admit, this Harry Potter marathon of mine is starting to take its toll. I wake up in cold sweats rubbing my phantom Potter scar on my forehead. Quidditch has now become a curse word in my vocabulary and I yell “oculus repairus†every time I clean my glasses. But it’s another day, another film, and on today’s agenda is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. After having my expectations raised with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and it’s director, Alfonso Cuarón, time would tell if the rest of the series would live up to Cuarón’s standard.
[Losing My Virginity articles are reviews written by someone who still hasn't seen an incredibly popular movie after all these years. LMV reviews are interesting in that they can offer the perspective of a person who's untainted by the cloud of commonness that surrounded a famous film of the past, and also show how well it has stood the test of time.]
I have to admit, this Harry Potter marathon of mine is starting to take its toll. I wake up in cold sweats rubbing my phantom Potter scar on my forehead. Quidditch has now become a curse word in my vocabulary and I yell “oculus repairus” every time I clean my glasses. But it’s another day, another film, and on today’s agenda is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. After having my expectations raised with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and it’s director, Alfonso Cuarón, time would tell if the rest of the series would live up to Cuarón’s standard.
{{page_break}}
There’s a lot of fodder in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, mainly in part due to the focus on the Triwizard Tournament. The film played out like a mix between a teen drama and sports drama, creating a befuddled pacing throughout the film. It’s not to say that Potter’s entry into the Triwizard Tournament or his growth from child to teenager wasn’t interesting, just that it isn’t interesting enough to push the film forward. Everything leading to the climax felt like filler, so much so that the conflict in the climax felt tacked on and displaced. While I appreciated the dark tone and battle that ensued, it was too little to late at that point. There was no real mystery or dramatic question, just dragon fighting, teenage awkwardness, and BOOM Voldemort is back.
Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes serve as a fine addition to the series. Gleeson as Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody was the right mixture of colorful and frightening, stealing most every scene he was in. Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort was harrowing, channeling such villainry that I couldn’t help but stare in awe. Sadly, much like Oldman in Prisoner of Azkaban, both cameos were short and left me wanting more. The kids are all growing into themselves, with Rupert Grint and Emma Watson providing a more subtle, natural performance than the animated ones of the previous films. Radcliffe grows more fluid with each film, which is then offset by his awkward growth spurt in this film.
I think I’m missing someone. Someone who’s really famous now due to another teen book series adapted for the big screen. Oh yea, He Who Shall Not Be Named. Not Voldemort, but Robert Pattinson. Despite my hatred for him and all things Twilight, he was rather charming as Cedric Diggory. Still, if they ask me to do a Losing My Virginity for Twilight, I’m running for the hills.
All in all, I really didn’t care for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. After the high I felt after Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, it was disappointing to go from that to this. Though I’m much more invested in the series now due in part to the events leading to the end of this film, it’s still not enough to excuse a disjointed plot and stumbling pace.
Overall Score: 6.30 – Okay. (6s are just okay. These movies usually have many flaws, didn’t try to do anything special, or were poorly executed. Some will still love 6s, but most prefer to just rent them. Watch more trailers and read more reviews before you decide.)
Alaka-RANDOM THOUGHTS
- Quidditch is a long monotonous game that has a world cup and people all over the world love and watch, but in all actuality it's a silly game. Basically, Quidditch = Soccer.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has Viktor Krum. Rocky IV has Ivan Drago. Both have russian super athletes introduced in the fourth iteration of a series. Coincidence, I THINK NOT!
- Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson and Clémence Poésy are all in this film prior to In Bruges. Sad Colin Farrell didn’t join the film as a salty yet misunderstood wizard who’s constantly f*cking up, but I’m sure he didn’t want to be typecast.
- I know I’m not the first one to make this joke, but basically Diggory dies and becomes a glittery vampire right. Also, Diggory = awesome last name.
- Why the f*ck was Moaning Myrtle in this movie and what the hell was up with all the ectoplasmic molestation going on in the prefect’s bathroom??
Three more to go. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix coming right up.
