Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I've a feeling it'll take me a few more viewings of this film to truly come to grips with it, but in the meantime, I feel the need to venture some of my rather muddled impressions. Sorry. :)

I was greatly impressed with the raw material of the film. That is, I loved Newell's treatment of the characters, his ability to showcase the various subtleties of behavior, relationships, humor. Even the more minor characters shone---Arthur Weasley especially---and I must admit delight at seeing more of Ginny. I also adored the sense of place this film created: not since the first HP movie have I felt so involved in Rowling's magical world. (Ron's room at the Burrow, the Gryffindor common room, the dancing lessons, Dumbledore's office, the Quidditch World Cup, all presented with splendid attention to detail.)

As for what the writers and director, et al, did with this raw material? Huh. I *believe* there's a plot in there...somewhere...but the movie couldn't quite make up its mind as to which plot it was following. Is it a mystery, where we wonder how Harry found his way into the Tournament and how this works to the evil Voldemort's advantage, or is it an action flick, where we simply sit back and enjoy watching Harry pit himself against Dread Task after Dread Task? In the past, the HP films have managed to be a little of both, but this film struggles between one or the other and, as such, snags on loose threads of both that add absolutely nothing to the warp and weft of the story.

I probably could have ignored most of this, though, had it not been for the ending. All the trials and trauma of the year seem completely forgotten in the last five minutes of the film. Hermione makes some remark about how things are going to change now, but the trio wanders off into the sunset smiling and laughing as though nothing has happened. Uh? Hello? Cedric's dead! And the Minister for Magic has completely denied Voldemort's return! And since when has Harry been even marginally pleased to be returning to the Dursleys?!? Sheesh.

I've no bloody idea how they're going to manage to transition this Happy-Go-Lucky Harry into the brooding, guilt-ridden teenage monster I've heard he's supposed to be in the fifth book. Weird, considering almost every other character will fit almost seamlessly into their places for OotP.

Speaking of OotP, now that I've seen the latest movie, I can go read it. Heehee. There's a lovely thought....

.........................