Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry is Back for his Fourth Year at Hogwarts

Review of the Fourth Harry Potter Movie

Kenneth Flickstein
The adventures of the young Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe, continue as he returns to Hogwarts for his fourth year. This year will prove darker and deadlier than ever before.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is hosting a grand event, the Tri-wizard tournament. One student champion from Hogwarts and each of the visiting schools are chosen by the Goblet of Fire to compete in a set of deadly challenges. To the victor goes eternal glory. To Harry's surprise, he is chosen to compete… even though he didn't enter.

We now see a darker side of the story. Harry is having nightmares, not about the tournament, but about the return of the Dark Lord. Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), always the wise wizard and headmaster is lost and is unable to help Harry. Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) is angry with Harry for entering the tournament and their friendship is tested.

The Dark Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is once again gaining power unchecked. If the competition wasn't enough, the Dark Lord is back once again to get young Harry Potter.

Harry is shown to be vulnerable here. His is not as confident as we have come to believe. He finds himself relying on help from his friends in order to keep up with the challenges of the tournament and the better trained and older competitors.

He, as always, attempts to go above and beyond what is asked of him, but he is not always up to the challenge. He is human after all, and that makes it easy for us to relate to him.

The beginning of the movie feels a bit rushed. Unfortunately, the director was trying to pack in a great deal of background information about Harry's summer and the Tri-wizard Tournament, so you have to pay close attention. Following the appearance of the Goblet of fire, the pace returns to normal and you can relax.

Unlike the others, this story does not end on a high note. You may have to take a moment and explain things to the kids following the film. Not all of Harry's life is about happy endings after all.

Bring the whole family to see the magic, wonder and awe that abound in this fourth episode in the life of Harry Potter.


Flix by Flicks

Published by Kenneth Flickstein

Career: Business AnalystHobbies:-Acting - former cast member and Phototgrapher of the Rocky Horror Picture Show-Games - former DCI Judge-Movie Nut: I see 2-6 movies every week. I write reviews for my own en...  View profile

  • Excellent family film, but be prepared to explain the ending to your young children.
  • An exellent contuinuation of the Harry Potter storyline.
J.K. Rowling had the entire grounds of Hogwards drawn on the floor of her apartment.

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