|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The witchcraft and wizardry
is at full steam for the fourth installment in the Harry Potter
franchise, although for the first time, the story feels noticeably
episodic. And of course, being familiar with the previous films
is essential for comprehension of all the old and new elements revisited
and introduced. The special effects, adventure, Quidditch, adolescent
romance, riveting competition, and rousing fantasy returns, along
with more serious themes and scarier villains to match the lead
characters’ maturation. As the story develops, it alternates
between feeling like the principal storyline is just beginning and
the last part of a trilogy is winding down.
Under the care of a new director, Mike Newell, this fourth part
opens for the first time without Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe)
ruing the summer with his adopted family. Lively competition rears
its head (along with more appropriately silly names) when the
girls of rival school Beauxbatons and the young men of Durmstrang
are invited to participate with Hogwarts school in a legendary
Triwizard tournament that will test their skills in intelligence,
endurance and magic. As the trials and tribulations turn from
dangerous to deadly, the dark lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) plots
his inevitable return with his army of Death Eater minions. Meanwhile,
a new Defense Against the Dark Arts (a cursed position) teacher
arrives (Brendan Gleeson as Professor Alastor “Madeye”
Moody), and the students prepare for a little well-mannered frivolity
during a Christmas Eve dance. |
|
|
Absurdly obnoxious song-and-dance
entrances by the battling schools sets the mood for the balmy but
fitting jealousy and romance that overtakes a large portion of drama
between the aspiring witches and wizards. Harry’s inclusion
in the treacherous tournament attracts jealousy by Ron Weasley,
a fight for an image to live up to, especially when trying to nab
a date for the ball, and monstrous creatures to combat in the event
itself. It may be a purely fantasy film, but throwing in some of
the typical teen coming-of-age qualities (including a rock band
for the dance) instills the idea that our noble band of young adult
heroes are indeed human. So to keep things grounded in fiction,
the selected students must grapple with dragons, mermaids and other
mythological monstrosities – it seems one of Rowling’s
goals was to include every creature ever crafted in fantasy literature.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire finally reveals Voldemort, much like Emperor Palpatine’s appearance in Return of the Jedi. During the final confrontation, the two attack with comparative electricity bolt powers. Their fight foreshadows future duels and antagonist assaults that stall off the epic showdown that can only take place at the very end of the series. From here on out, the continuing story is toying with the audience as much as Voldemort trifles with Harry. While the translation from several hundred page novels to two-hour feature films is chiefly entertaining and only marginally contrived, perhaps seven books and as many as eight feature films is too much to tell a single story. - Mike Massie
Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I Read the Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II
|
More
Recent Reviews:
Recommendations:
|