Film review

[fightingthecage]

So, I finally watched Goblet of Fire yesterday. Thoughts on that under the cut, for any other people who haven't seen it yet (which yes, I know is doubtful).


All in all, it's by far the best HP film so far. By a country mile. There are things that I hated and I'll list those first.

The beginning was far too rushed. I'd heard that they spent almost no time on the Quidditch World Cup and I understand how that could be a massive drain on the budget for something that doesn't move the plot along all that much. But sill, it would have been nice to have it not quite so hurried.

I hate Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. The man is a great actor. But...just no. He doesn't seem to get any of nuances of Dumbledore that Richard Harris got - and yes, I admit that Harris way absolutely perfect for me so no one was ever going to live up to it. But still, Dumbledore is supposed to be a bit of a 'barmy old codger' and far more relaxed about things than Gambon plays him. Quietly anxious about some things, yes, unsure as to whether he's done the right thing with Harry - but running up to him after his name comes out of the Goblet and grabbing him like that. I don't think so! That was almost cringe-worthy for me, I hated it. He does seem to care for Harry though, which is good. But overall, he just plays him too young, if that makes sense. Ah well.

Not enough Snape and not enough Sirius. And WTF was with everyone pronouncing his name 'Serious' as well? It almost made me laugh out loud. Oh, and not enough Draco too.

Voldemort was - well, the make up was good. I did have the rogue thought that Ralph Fiennes looked almost exactly like he did after he'd been all burned up in the English Patient, only without a nose. But he did look suitably creepy. My main complaint there was that he seemed to leap around a lot and again, the whole sequence was a bit rushed. But I was still tense as all hell watching it.

Also rushed was the bit right after Cedric was brought back, and 'Moody' taking Harry away. At the same time, I was clutching a pillow at the whole thing too, waiting for people to realise he was dead and his poor father. It was tense but the focus didn't quite linger enough on Harry's reaction, as well as everyone else's, and he seemed over it too quickly. Goblet of Fire has always been my favourite of the books, mainly because Harry's total devestation at the end is so tangible and the very real sense that things are never going to be the same for any of them. I didn't think the movie quite hit that.

The bits I loved...

The acting from Harry, Ron and Hermione was the best it's ever been. Which I'm somewhat relieved about because it's definitely been dodgy in the past. Emma Watson still has a slight tendency to add too much emphasis to her words I think, but not too badly. The boys were brilliant and my favourite parts of the whole movie were the interactions between the teenagers. Totally reminded me of what it was like to be one, with people passing messages through their mates and holding stupid grudges and fancying people that they have no idea how to talk to. Awkward moments felt really awkward, teasing was real and when they were all friends, they really seemed close. Completely loved it.

Rita Skeeter was fabulous and just about perfectly how I imagined her.

The CGI on all the tasks was great, in the lake and the dragons and the maze was creepy (would have liked to see Harry beat some of the obstacles but ah well). Krum, Fleur and Cedric were all well cast and the scenes in the tasks were all cool, I thought.

Overall, I think the movie hit the important points and did them well enough. Rushed over a few of them but the story got told and it was fun along the way, with enough laughing to counter the doomy bits. I totally understand that the book was far too long to fit into a movie in any detail so things were going to have to be sacrificed. What I do wonder, is how Sirius' death will work in the fifth movies. Because he was - obviously - only in the end of three, and not in this one at all. Will anyone care when he dies in the fifth? I know that practically everyone will have read the books anyway, and understand - but for the few that haven't, will they even care? Just something I wondered.

Anyway, there might seem to be more things in the 'hate' list than the 'love' one, but all the bits that weren't mentioned fall under the catergory of good too. So that explains why I did really enjoy this. And I hope they keep getting better for the final three - and hope they keep the same cast too. Daniel Radliffe really makes a great Harry and he's handling the emotional stuff just about as well as the lighter stuff now. So yeah. It was cool.


Now, I just have to see Brokeback Mountain. That's the next on my 'Must must must!!! watch' list. But I refuse to d/l it because the scenery is supposed to be amazing and I don't want to lose the impact with a dodgy copy.

But of course, first comes last nights 24. I've had it for a few hours and haven't yet mustered the courage to watch. Although I think it'll be fine. I'm glad I'm spoiled for this one though, I'm now just worried that it won't live up to expectation. Ho hum.

Comments

[romanticapathy.livejournal.com]

The sixth movie will probably be the only movie actually better than the book. But then, I just thought that HBP sucked in general. Too much like reading a fanfic written by a thirteen-year-old to me.