That is, book four out of seven books. Yes, today, after an overly-filling lunch at Red Robin, we went to go see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. You all know the story. You all know the crew. I’m not going to bore you with that stuff. You should also know that, although I enjoy the Harry Potter books, I’m not the type that memorizes all the nooks and crannies. So, if you were to ask me what was left out of the book, I wouldn’t remember enough to tell you. So, my comments below are judging this primarily as a stand-alone movie.
So, my opinion. For what it was, it was good. I don’t think it was the best of the series; that honor may go to #3, at least so far. Part of the problem, I believe, is that it was trying to be two movies. The suspenseful movie was great. However, there was also a coming-of-age comedy in the movie (yes, I know it is in the book as well) that killed the flow in the middle of the movie. Yes, it was true to life. Yes, it was funny. But it didn’t fit in the middle of the suspenseful movie; you sat back in your seat for that part instead of remaining on the edge. In the theatre we went to, that section had all the kids (and there were a lot of kids) laughing. So, in terms of dramatic flow, I do wish that part had been trimmed down, and they had included more of the suspenseful stuff.
What else? The principal actors are aging well. Rupert Grint has that awkwardness I certainly remember from when I was that age. Emma Watson is the one we wish we all could date. I did notice that I was noticing the young adult actor’s faces more. I don’t know whether this was due to the efforts of the cinematographer, or me just getting older and enjoying youthful faces (I’ve also been noticing eyebrows more, but I can’t explain why). The other main roles were well cast, although some performances were extremely short. Other roles, such as Sirius, were extremely small. About the only casting I was unsure of was Frances de la Tour… I kept seeing Angelica Huston. I’ll note that the Yahoo credits appear to be wrong: I don’t recall seeing Nearly Headless Nick nor the Dursleys in the film.
So, a good film. Not the best of the series, perhaps, but it continues the story well.
So what’s next on the movie radar? Two musicals: “Rent“, and “The Producers“. Some of what is upcoming I see absolutely no need for: Why do we need yet another remake of King Kong? Cheaper by the Dozen? Shaggy Dog? Yours, Mine, and Ours? Fun with Dick and Jane?
