Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Adults who may have been turned off by the more kid-friendly elements of the first two Potter films should sit up and cheer; this fourth installment of Harry's adventures at the magic school of Hogwarts is more mature and darker than its immediate predecessor. This year, Hogwarts is hosting the Tri Wizard festival, and there may be a plot afoot to off Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) during the proceedings. Hermione (Emma Watson) finds a man worthy of her in competing Russian Quidditch champion Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ivaneski), to the chagrin of Ron Weaselly (Rupert Grint) who, though growing into a fine, shaggy orange-haired figure of a lad, is still not quite mature enough to ask Hermione to the Yule ball. Krum's teacher may be involved in the dastardly get-Harry plot, which involves writhing snake tattoos, skull clouds, death-eaters, tournaments with live dragons, a submersible schooner, and a competing school of poised and beautiful girls run by Maxime (Frances de la Tour), who shares a romantic past with gamekeeper Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane). All the other favorites of the series are back as well, including Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, and Gary Oldman, with Timothy Spall as the odious Wormtail, while a new addition to the A-list thespian roster is Ralph Fiennes. Director Mike Newell takes plenty of time to explore character development, but the story still gallops along at a breathless pace, with memorably intense moments involving fire-spewing dragons, dark magical rites, and near-drownings at the hands of slimy mer-people, all of which may prove too much for the youngest of viewers. Everyone else is advised to hold on tight.

"Newell has a gift for light comedy, and he knows just how to release the sour-ball charms of his fellow Brits..." - Entertainment Weekly

3 stars out of 4 -- "With the cast getting looser and the mind games kinkier, it's hard to resist." - Rolling Stone

"[T]he director Mike Newell embraces the saga's dark side with flair....[T]he combination of British eccentricity, fatalism and steady-on pluck remains intact." - New York Times

"As Harry's life becomes more complex, so this film takes on a darker hue....Brit director Mike Newell enlivens the brooding atmosphere with stunning action sequences..." - Uncut

"Harry's climactic duel with Lord Voldemort packs an emotional wallop. And it's fun to watch the kids grow." - USA Today

"[I]n granting THE GOBLET OF FIRE an earthier real-world tone, Newell has crafted a parable about the pains and pangs of adolescence. In doing so, he has made the most grown-up Potter yet." - Sight and Sound

4 stars out of 5 -- "GOBLET OF FIRE is crisp, vibrant, and absolutely magical." - Ultimate DVD

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