Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

[orangerful]

Okay, I'm still recovering from being out so late last night. The movie was good. We had a great time at The Senator, as always, fantastic crowd of fans that cheered at all the right moments. Best place to see a movie - ever. I hope the Senator is always around.

Anyhoo - jellibean did a mini-review in her journal, now it's my turn.

Basic rundown of the films so far (IMHO):

HP & SS - first movie, made for everyone, come see it!
HP & CoS - second movie, made for everyone...you haven't read the books? oh that's okay
HP & PoA - what do you mean you haven't read the books yet???.....Oh FINE, you can see this movie, but bring a friend.
HP & GoF - you haven't read the freakin' books yet? well TOO BAD! You've had plenty of time and we can't be in the theater forever, learn to read before you come see this...*mumble grumble something about kids today*



-- Voldemort blew me away. In my mind, I had my own picture of either a cartoony creature with Ralph's voice, or just Ralph with a black wizards cloak on...either way, very much Ralph as Voldemort. That's not what went down. That was Voldemort on the screen. No trace of Fiennes was left, you were in the presence of the Dark Lord. And I can't wait to see his rise to power...if only because he's gonna be so badass while it's happening. Definately the stuff of nightmares.

-- Um, why did we get hardly any dialogue from the other Champions? I felt it was weird that we only heard Fleur speak maybe twice? And Krum...did he talk at all??? And Cedric! We needed to become emotionally attatched to him but the writer seemed to have forgotten about him for a good chunk of the movie. I hoped, from the first few scenes, that they were going to set up Cedric to be a friend with Harry. But he merely passes thru. And when he dies, it's not as heart wrenching as you'd want it to be.

-- and speaking of the unforgivable curses, the adava kadavra curse really upsets me. I mean, in most movies, people kill each other with physical weapons and lots of times you get that sort of 'in the line of fire' death, where the other character startles the bad guy and he kills them, thinking he was the hero. But when Vodly stares right at Cedric and says the "magic words"....that's messed up.

-- everyone in the cast is getting older and I feel like they really are maturing as actors. Okay, they are not the best things ever, but I think that since they are growing with their characters they are able to capture a lot of the moments very truthfully. Each actor seemed to have at least one moment of perfection as far as their performances went.

-- the twins STOLE THE SHOW! those boys are awesome. I can't wait until the next couple books when there roles are even meatier.

-- speaking of bigger roles, Neville! Dear lord, he was ADORABLE with the dancing. Just....just...aaaaaw! I'm happy that they are pushing him into the forground of the movies, especially now that we know more of his backstory from the books.

-- concerning the books, like I said earlier, of all the movies, I feel like this one is targeted towards people who have at least read the books once, and it also has enough foreshadowing for the upcoming stories to get fans excited. People who have only seen the movies will be left in the dark on several issues. I enjoyed this movie but I felt like it had a few holes that someone who had read the book would easily fill in, but someone who had not would just be lost. Huge chunks of time go by that are unexplained, and in the books we get a bit more of the Moody and Crouch Jr backstory. At least, I think we do.

All in all, I think PoA is still my favorite movie of the bunch, with GoF in second place. Leaving the theater after PoA, I remember having really enjoyed the movie and not remembering how much was left out until someone told me. GoF, I left trying to remember all the stuff they left out because it felt like it was missing. *shrug* that might just be me. It's still a good movie, and definately one of the best of the series so far. But like the books, I have a feeling each one will get better.

Except I am so very NOT looking forward to emo Harry vs. EVIL Umbridge in the next movie. Oh no I am not.

I'll probably think of more to say later, but that's it for now.

Comments

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

actually what we should really look forward to i nteh next movie is the Twins torturing Umbridge with their jinxes and jokes. I'm gonna love that.

I personally feel the third movie is the one people would have enjoyed more if they had read the books. Really it's the stuff about the marauders map being left out that I feel if you just watched the movie you wouldn't put together who paddy, moony, wormtail, and prongs are, and would therefore udnerstand why harry has a Stag for his patronus.

This movie... I can see why Cedric wasn't really focused on... for me when I read the books.... just the way I remember it, he was more in the background and every now and then would surface. And though I felt shock when he died.... It didn't really bother me.

Also, there is a LOT missing from the labyrinth in the end, but I think it's ok. The way they did it was nice, just not sure why they decided to make Harry and Cendric touch the portkey at the same time instead of Cedric actaully touching it first like in the book. But it worked really well.

I also did see it again last night. lol, only this time I couldn't stay awake. Remember I've been running on 4 hours of sleep for the last 4 days. ugh.

And I saw someone else on here didn't understnad why Dumbledor was so harsh on Harry, but to me that's how it was in the books.... and that's why it leads into Harry being so angry in part 5.

We're also seeing less and less of malfoy with each movie. I can't complain. I don't know, maybe the kid plays the part too well, but the sight of him just gets on my neerves. lol

Some of my friends also felt the "thing" between HArry and Cho Chang was rushed. REally in the book it seemed much mroe developed. But we all know I'm glad.... of all the characters I dislike her the most. She just reminds me of so many drama queens I've known in real life.

All in all, the movie was excellent. And I'll probably see it a third time too. :)

NOw I just have to get caught up on my reading of Lion, the withc and the wardrobe. lol

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I agree with enjoying PoA more if you've read the books, but I think you can still understand it without having picked one up. The map and the patronus' are important, as is the backstory for Sirius, Lupin, etc.. but you can understand the story without it (even though huge chunks of information have slipped by you).

GoF, imho, felt like a lot of stuff was missing and if you hadn't read the books then the movie would be sort of a mess in your mind. Now, mind you, I haven't read GoF since it first came out, but I knew that big chunks of school and classes were missing from the story, stuff that I felt could have helped the movie a bit.

I still liked it alot though, and I want to see it again! hehe.

[blu-harvest.livejournal.com]

You know, I was thinking about why they did it that way and had Harry and Cedric touch it at the same time... I think it's to emphasize Harry's guilt. In a sense, it was his fault. Cedric wanted Harry to take it fair and square. But Harry, being the noble sort, was willing to declare it a tie. And that's what got Cedric killed. Of course the only person really responsible is Voldemort, but I'm sure Harry will feel like it was his fault forever.

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and if I recall correctly, Harry begins to feel that way anyway. Which Cho Chang NEVER understands, which is why I hate her.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

oh right, the Cho Chang thing. I have to agree that it felt sorta odd in the movie. In the book, Harry is practically obsessing over her for the whole year, especially after Cedric asks her to the dance (similar to Ron not really showing any interest in Hermione until Krum asks her). Of course, 90% of that takes place in Harry's head, and it's hard to write stuff like that in film (voiceovers = bad idea). But would it have been so difficult to have him bump into her a few more times before the actual invite? Maybe a few goofy glances across the room besides the one after his name came out of the goblet. Ah well.

Hopefully they handle the Ginny romance a bit better, because that one really comes outta nowhere.

[dstntp1lgr1m.livejournal.com]

yeah that one really does. lol

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

oh, that's how I am too. I've read each book once and I really love them because I feel like a kid again. You know when you'd play those imaginary games and try to mix in all the goblins and monsters and unicorns and wizard all into one big story!...that's what it made me feel like. It's just another retelling of the hero myth, which I am a sucker for anyway (ah star wars...ah buffy...ah angel...ah dvd collection) and I enjoy any new spin someone can give it. Plus, magic rocks, who hasn't wanted to have a spell to make the dishes wash themselves or the potatoes peel themselves?

Rowling is an alright author. She's not the best storyteller or anything, but she found a strong character and put him into the hero myth, which pretty much always works, and published it right when a new generation really needed their own hero. And right when the older ones were wondering where the new heroes were.

The weasley twins STOLE the movie. And I love Ron too, even though he's kind of a dolt...especially when it comes to girls, but then again, what 14 year old isnt?

[blu-harvest.livejournal.com]

Yay!!! I'm so glad you guys asked me. I really think that even though this wasn't my favorite movie ever this was my favorite veiwing experiance. I'm glad you enjoyed it too.