It is going to be Harry Potter's fourth year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), the famous wizard, the only person to survive the dark wizard Voldemort, is attending the Quidditch World Cup along with his two best friends Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), during the summer before school starts.
The World Cup goes off without a hitch, with Ireland defeating Belgium. And so it ends, with thousands of Wizards and Witches heading for home. Lord Voldemort's loyal forces, the Death Eaters, choose this moment to attack. No one is hurt in the attack, thankfully, but the Death Eaters leave proof in the sky, the Dark Mark, Lord Voldemort's personal logo, proving that he is back. Thought gone forever, this should be undeniable proof.
The Ministry of Magic, those who govern witches and wizards, refuse to believe that he's back. But Harry knows. He has battled him before, in his first year at Hogwarts.
Harry and His friends make it to school safe and sound. But they soon learn that Hogwarts will play host to the Tri-Wizard Tournament, where-in three students, one from each school, will have three tasks to perform; the student with the most points after the three tasks, wins the Tri-Wizard Cup. The other two schools participating in the tournament are Beauxbatons, from France, and Durmstrang, from Belgium.
Students wishing to be chosen must place their name in the mystical Goblet of Fire, which will select one name from each school. This time, however, it selects one more name that it's normal three only. Harry Potter, 14, under the age limit of 17, is somehow chosen, even though he never placed his name in the Goblet.
Never the less, Harry takes on the three tasks as best he can. But there is a ton of pressure on the young boy; more pressure than a 14 year old should have to undertake. But this is Harry Potter, after all!
It will take all the marbles Harry has to win the three tasks and figure out what his arch-nemesis is up to, even if it means facing Voldemort head on...
I was disappointed by the beginning of Goblet of Fire. I know I shouldn't be comparing the movie to the book, but you just can't help but do it.
The book is long. Really long. At 734 pages, Goblet of Fire is the second longest of the six books thus far, so I can understand that screen writer Steve Kloves would have to cut a great deal of the book's sub-plots to make a workable screenplay. The thing is, they cut out way too much.
The whole film feels chopped up and rushed through; the beginning in particular. Just when we start to get excited about the Quidditch World Cup, it's over. Before you know it we're at Hogwarts. The train ride is only a minute long, and we don't even get to see the sorting ceremony.
The three tasks Harry must perform come quickly, and there is no space in between them like there is in the book.
Many of the recurring characters from the books only get a bit of screen time here and there; even many of the major characters (like Dumbledore, Hagrid and Snape, to name a couple) only get a few scenes as well.
Aside from the rushed feeling, I must say that the actors have all grown - literally and figuratively. Many of the characters from the first three films make small cameos here and there, and you can see how much they have grown up (I was quite surprised with Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom) who really grew up).
But our three main actors - Dan, Emma and Rupert - really changed. They have become much better actors than we give them credit for. Their performances aren't Oscar calibre, but they bring the picture alive with emotions and real, genuine closeness.
Another thing that brings the film alive are its graphics and special effects. Whereas in Philosopher's Stone the graphics still looked kinda phoney, here they look superb! The dragons are awesome (as good as they were in Dragonheart) and the Quidditch stadium is a wonder to behold. They really are something you have to see for yourself.
My favorite scene has got be the one where Malfoy is turned into a ferret. Ferrets are soo cute and cuddly (I have one myself, and I love her to death!) and really sweet creatures. It's a funny, funny scene, to be sure, and one that will surely make the young one's giggle with laughter and delight.
Die hard Potter fans (like myself) will miss the Dursley's and be somewhat disappointed, I think, with this film, the way the book was chopped up. I would have liked to have seen extended editions of Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire, (on DVD at least) and certainly they could have done it. Adding in much of the sub-plots they had to leave out would have made for more complete adaptations. We must take what we get, however; beggars can't be choosers, after all. This is the only adaptation of the book we are going to get, and for what it's worth, they did a terrific job.
Plot: 
I was disappointed in the way the beginning flew by, but other than that, they did the best they could adapting the book.
Visual Effects:
These effects are something you have to see to marvel at.
Sound:
Some of John Williams' music from the first three films was used here in, but he did not do anything new for the picture. The soundtrack is still pleasing to hear, and works well in this, the fourth instalment of the popular franchise.
Character Development:
Harry and his friends seem to grow up in every film. They learn something new, explore emotions, explore their world, and gain invaluable knowledge each time. This time around, Harry watches someone die right before his eyes... how can that not change a person?
Atmosphere: 
This film is much more darker than even Prisoner of Azkaban. The kids will love it, and adult will too, but it will scare some children, so be warned. If you loved the first three, you'll love this one, too.
Realism:
Warren’s Rating:
8.71/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
27-11-05
