Movie Reviews
How inherently lucky am I to be in the generation that grew up with Harry Potter? Not only has J.K. Rowling spat out the books one-right-after-the-other since 1997, but also the films have arrived in theaters just in time to continue Harry’s maturing in step with mine. Granted, there are some inaccuracies of age. Daniel Radcliffe, star of the “Harry Potter” series, is right at my age, while Harry is just over a year younger. But that’s beside the point, really.
For those of you who’ve read my reviews of the last three “Potter” films, you’ll know that I had not read any of the books until I saw the third one. My love for the third film triggered a deeper interest, and I read the first four faster than I’d read any other books in my life. Now, since I’ve read up to the sixth book, I have grown immensely fond of Harry Potter as a book, as a movie, and as a character.
Radcliffe has played Potter since film one when he was right at about Harry’s age in the book, and by now I like him. Radcliffe’s interpretation of the character has been steadfast throughout the series, and I think it shows his wisdom that he can channel the problems of Harry into the problems of an everyday teenager.
In “The Goblet of Fire,” Harry faces tougher dilemmas than ever before. And in this one, he doesn’t have two minutes where something horrible doesn’t happen. Harry accompanies the Weasleys to the Quidditch World Cup, which takes place in possibly the largest stadium ever conceived by the human mind, real or not. We get a glimpse of the game, and then we’re whisked off to a totally different state of mind. Harry and the Weasleys, along with everyone else at the World Cup, flee for their lives as Voldemort’s followers, the contemptible Death Eaters, set afire to the campsite outside the stadium.
Harry, the Weasleys, and Hermione finally make it to Hogwarts, only to be thrown into tumult again. Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) announces the arrival of two other schools who will be guests at Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament, a vicious test of talent consisting of three tasks that pit the unfortunate competitor against insurmountable odds. The names of those who want to compete go into the Goblet of Fire, and the Goblet decides the three champions, one from each school. Although the tournament is held to uphold relations with other magic schools and is all “good fun,” the teachers put it frankly: the tasks could end up getting you killed. Thus, the Ministry of Magic declares that anyone under seventeen will not be admitted into the tournament.
The three names are called: Victor Krum, a professional Quidditch player, Fleur Delacour, one of many girls that woo Ron Weasley without knowing it, and Cedric Diggory, a Gryffindor and the representative from Hogwarts. Then the Goblet spits out another piece of paper, and the name is impossible. Harry Potter is only fourteen, and there is no way he could’ve put his name in the Goblet in the first place. But rules are rules, and what the Goblet says goes. So whether he wanted to or not, Harry must now compete.
Although the tournament sounds like an easy way to plop a big action sequence in the middle of a story, it is actually J.K. Rowling’s way of moving the plot along. We meet new characters, like Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. We learn more about Voldemort, like how Harry’s dream may be more than just a dream. We learn that even wizards are susceptible to puberty, like when Harry finds himself performing a task more challenging than anything the Triwizard Tournament can throw at him: asking a girl to a dance. The whole scene where this takes place is hilarious, and yet somehow dead on.
That, we owe to director Mike Newell, his first “Potter” film and the first British director to take on this very British franchise. Newell was offered the job of directing the first film, but turned it down. He agreed that Chris Columbus did a courageous job on “Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Chamber of Secrets,” but he knew he wanted to darken the mood and show teenagers for what they really are, “horrible little creatures.” It was to his horror (and delight) that Alfonso Cuaron did the job for him on “Prisoner of Azkaban.”
What Newell has brought to the film is his never-ending knowledge of so many areas of film. Looking at his resume, you’ll see he’s never made two movies that were alike. That serves him well here; Newell makes Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) vulnerable to not just the evil of dark lords. They’re looking over their shoulders even when old friends are about.
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned this before, but I can’t stress how lucky we as an audience are to have such an accomplished cast live out the roles of the teachers and professors at Hogwarts. From Richard Harris as Dumbledore in films one and two and Michael Gambon in three and four, to Maggie Smith as Minerva McGonagall, to David Thewlis, Gary Oldman, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Jason Isaacs, and now Brendan Gleeson as Moody and Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort, we have been given a chance to see great talents having the time of their lives.
I will comment on a couple of things that are disappointments, but ones that don’t deem a lower score on the film because they have nothing to do with making it a lesser film. I was sad to hear the absence of John Williams’ music. Williams’ themes made the first three films soar, and I was sure that his music for the “Potter” films would eventually become as treasured as his “Star Wars.” Patrick Doyle replaces him here, and Doyle is not a bad composer. It is simply that he takes Williams’ themes, and changes the timing and motifs until the music sounds stale. There is not a single new theme that I can remember from this film.
I also regretted such a brief appearance by Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Harry’s godfather, and the total absence of David Thewlis as Lupin. Readers only know how important they are in book five.
It is becoming clear that the “Harry Potter” series is one of the most important film odysseys in history. If it is decided that all the original cast members will stay on board for the entirety of the seven films, we will have seen these kids group up on film. For those my age, we will have grown up right along with them. Perhaps it is that uniqueness that binds people like me to these films. Or maybe it’s the imagination of Rowling, the filmmakers, the cast and the world they have created.
Sometimes I wonder what makes a movie great. That question may never be answered, but I do believe that a sign of a great movie is that it contains a fictitious place that you sorely wish were real. I’ve always wanted to get hang out at Rick’s Café in “Casablanca,” tour the treasures of Xanadu in “Citizen Kane,” pick a fight in the war room in “Dr. Strangelove.” Likewise, I will always wish Hogwarts were real outside my dreams. ****