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.
Theatrical Release: November 18, 2005
UMD Features:
Keep Case
Widescreen - 2.39
Audio:
2.0 English
2.0 French
2.0 German
2.0 Italian
Distributor Notes: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter must contend with being mysteriously selected to compete in the prestigious Triwizard Tournament, a thrilling competition that pits him against older and more experienced students. Meanwhile, supporters of the evil Lord Voldemort send a shockwave of fear throughout the wizard community when their Dark Mark scorches the sky, signaling Voldemort's return to power.
Source: Warner Home Video
Stars
Daniel Radcliffe: British actor, HARRY POTTER
Rupert Grint: Actor, HARRY POTTER
Emma Watson: Actress, HARRY POTTER
Robbie Coltrane: British Actor
Ralph Fiennes: British actor, THE ENGLISH PATIENT, SCHINDLER'S LIST
Michael Gambon: Irish Stage/Film Actor - A Dry White Season/Sleepy Hollow
Brendan Gleeson: Actor/"Braveheart"
Jason Isaacs: Actor/"Solitaire For Two"
Gary Oldman: British actor, SID AND NANCY/TRUE ROMANCE
Alan Rickman: British Film/Stage Actor
Maggie Smith: Oscar-winning British actress, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE
Timothy Spall: British Actor, TOPSY-TURVY (1999)
Miranda Richardson: British actress
Director
Mike Newell: British Director
Producer
David Heyman: Producer, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE (2001)
David Barron: Producer
Tanya Seghatchian: Producer, MY SUMMER OF LOVE (2005)
Screenwriter
Steve Kloves: American Screenwriter/Director
Composer
Patrick Doyle:
Editor
Mick Audsley: Editor
Costume Designer
Jany Temime: Costume Designer, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
Director of Photography
Roger Pratt:
Featured
Jarvis Cocker: Lead singer, Pulp. Also a film director.
Featured
Jonny Greenwood: Member of the band Radiohead
Featured
Phil Selway: Member of Radiohead
Production Designer
Stuart Craig: Production designer
Source Writer
J.K. Rowling: Author of the Harry Potter books
Additional Music/Songs
John Williams: American film composer, STAR WARS (1977)
Review 1:
"[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."
Source: New York Times
p.E1 11/17/2005
Review 2:
"Newell has a gift for light comedy, and he knows just how to release the sour-ball charms of his fellow Brits..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.76-78 11/25/2005
Review 3:
3 stars out of 4 -- "With the cast getting looser and the mind games kinkier, it's hard to resist."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.136 12/01/2005
Review 4:
"Harry's climactic duel with Lord Voldemort packs an emotional wallop. And it's fun to watch the kids grow."
Source: USA Today
p.7D 11/23/2005
Review 5:
"[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."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.57 01/01/2006
Review 6:
4 stars out of 5 -- "GOBLET OF FIRE is crisp, vibrant, and absolutely magical."
Source: Ultimate DVD
p.91 08/01/2007
Review 7:
"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..."
Source: Uncut
p.130 01/01/2005