Movie Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Robert Pattinson, David Tennant, Tom Felton, Bonnie Wright, Matthew Lewis, Clémence Poésy, Stanislav Ianevski, Miranda Richardson, Pedja Bjelac, Frances de la Tour
Review: The fourth movie in the Harry Potter franchise sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) returning for his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, along with his friends, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson). There is an upcoming tournament between the three major schools of magic, with one participant selected from each school by the Goblet of Fire. When Harry's name is drawn, even though he is not eligible and is a fourth player, he must compete in the dangerous contest.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is one of my favorite films in the Harry Potter franchise because it offers something different than most of the other movies. With the introduction of the Triwizard Tournament, we get to see our usual cast of characters interact with a new cast of characters from two other wizarding schools. Durmstrang Institute, located in northern Europe, and the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, located in southern France, illustrate the idea that the wizarding world is much larger than we originally thought. The Triwizard Tournament is a lot of fun as well, as representatives from each school participate in competitions that test their skill and savviness. Everything from retrieving an egg from a fire-breathing dragon, rescuing a friend from the bottom of the Black Lake, to navigating a mysterious maze with trouble lurking around every corner is on the table. The Triwizard Tournament ultimately leads to a lot of fun, entertaining sequences. There's also a more romantic tone to this film as we see our heroes go to a school ball for the first time, which is both heartwarming and hilarious. Finally, this film marks the full return of the infamous Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). The film culminates with a terrifying ending that really sets the tone for the rest of the franchise. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is truly a joy to watch. It's everything you normally would expect from a Harry Potter movie, but there's so much additional fresh material to be enjoyed as well. I highly recommend this spectacular movie!
Fun Fact: In one of the first takes of Hermione's "Cinderella moment," Emma Watson actually tripped in her fancy dress and fell down the stairs.