Monday, November 21, 2005

HP Goblet of Fire

After a stunning realization of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban it seemed that the Harry Potter films couldn't possibly get any better. Well, the folks at Warner Bros. have done it again: bigger and badder than ever, Harry Potter is back.

Early on we take an awe-inspiring trip to the Quidditch World Cup. The scale of this set piece is jaw-dropping and, in terms of sheer scale, gives any of Mr Lucas' recent output a serious run for its money. But all is not well. Plagued by nightmares, and with his scar burning, Harry can only conclude that dark happenings are afoot. Dark indeed they are as the Quidditch camp is set ablaze heralding the return of Voldemort, and our heroes flee to the safety of Hogwarts.
Dumbledore announces the Triwizard Tournament, one of the most exciting and dangerous competitions within the wizarding community. One wizard from Dumbledore is to enter but the other two will be picked from the elegant girls of Beauxbaton Academy and from the brooding boys of Durmstrang Institute. Harry is inexplicably entered into the competition by no less than the actual Goblet of Fire. He is suspected of being a cheat and a glory hunter and is alienated by his peers, Ron included. Tensions between Harry and Ron ensue, testing their friendship with tragi-comic effect. The Triwizard Tournament involves a battle with a fire-breathing dragon, once again upping the stakes on the action factor. A (quite literally) breath taking, underwater set-piece in The Black Lake sees Harry encounter a terrifying shoal of Merpeople. The final trial of the Triwizard takes place in a creepy maze with echoes of The Shining.

All and all this movie is very different from the first 3 installments, for it is the beginning of Adulthood for the Trio. And along with his transition to manhood, Harry is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with. A must see for all ages!!

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