DVD Reviews

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Brendan Gleeson
• Details: UK, 157 mins, PG.

It is Harry Potter's fourth term at Hogwarts and his most challenging yet. The Triwizard Tournament is being held in the school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and one Hogwarts' pupil will be selected to compete with students from neighbouring countries, the Beauxbatons and the Durmstrangs. Meanwhile the Dark Lord is getting stronger and gathering his forces, and Harry is feeling the effects through his scar and dreams.
Steven Kloves' screenplay paring of J.K. Rowling's Goblet of Fire finds the right balance between the comedy, onslaught of adolescence and darkness of the main storyline, while foregoing subplots such as Hagrid's Gigantism and S.P.E.W., which would be bum-numbingly boring for any but the most avid HP fans.
The acting abilities of the younger cast members are stretched to capacity, and one feels like director Newell isn't overly concerned with their increasingly waning performances; which are in stark contrast to the expertise of the adult actors, who seem to be having a ball. That said, there is plenty here to endear - the underwater scene is superb, Mad Eye Moody's peeper is a real star and the movie is genuinely thrilling in places. Roll on part five.

Review by Elaine Reilly