By Jessica Klement

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Directed by Mike Newell
Written by Steven Kloves and J.K. Rowling
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Tom Felton, Matthew Lewis

J.K. Rowling's Goblet of Fire introduced a new concept from her previous Potter books, reading 734 pages it was the longest novel so far, as well as being matured and darker.
Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) and his clan are older, complete with raging hormones, and ready to take on new battles. While Potter receives some help from his friends to fight his battles, in this edition he is put in a more individualistic role.

Harry Potter and his friends are back for another year of wizardly learning.
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Director Mike Newell's top career flicks include Mona Lisa Smile and Four Weddings and a Funeral, so it was a bit of a surprise that a drama director took a gloomy and almost eerie approach to the series. While he keeps intone with the same personalities of the characters, the key difference to the other movies is the darkness, the shinning sun showing its appearance maybe once.
The intense fight scenes as well as the death of one of the good guys, to the dismay of many little Potter fans, is the reason this film was given the PG13 rating. Newell plays with the fears that many children have including monsters, drowning, dragons and even child-aged crushes. The detail in the film is exquisite from the dancing men in a painting to the architecture of the school.
Newell went against suggestions to make The Goblet of Fire into two separate films being released fairly close to each other as he thought he could shorten the novel enough to fit into two hours and 37 minutes. Newell should have taken the advice of the studio as the film seems condensed, and not having read the book can cause confusion with the different subplots at hand.

While defeating dragons, Potter must also battle romance in Goblet of Fire.
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The film beings with the young wizards enjoying their summer break before their fourth year begins at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Potter feels nervous about the start of this year as he has haunting dreams of murder. The film focuses on the Triwizard Tournament, a competition between Hogwarts, Beauxbatons Academy, and Durmstrang Institute, the chosen students are put through daunting tasks that test their wizardly skills. It is made clear that any student under the age of 18 is not allowed to enter the Tournament, but wary 15-year-old Harry is chosen to represent Hogwart.

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) as well as Potter do not think he is capable of completing the tournament alive. And they are almost right as Potter has to steal eggs from dragons, rescue treasure from the bottom of a lake and navigate an enormous maze that leads to a dramatic confrontation with Voldemort. Potter must go through these obstacles himself, but his friends are still there for support. As always Hermione (Emma Watson) is in the corners rooting for Potter, and without Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) Potter could not have survived one of the tasks. Throughout the film Voldemort's Death Eaters gain strength and creating the Dark Mark giving evidence that the Dark Lord is ready to surface.

An ongoing theme that is wittily introduced is romance between boys and girls. This is about the time that the real actors of Harry, Ron and Hermione are entering their awkward teen years and this is portrayed elegantly in the film. As the young actors Radcliffe, Grint and Watson grow more confident as wizards, this matches their growth as professional actors.

Miranda Richardson plays the tasteless journalist, Rita Skeeter.
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The casting of new characters was cleverly scripted, Rita Skeeter (Miranda Richarson) was a convincing conniving journalist and Brendan Gleeson brings exactly the right charisma to introduce the eccentric teacher Mad-Eye Moody. Ralph Fiennes is almost Satanic in his maliciousness and arrogance as the restored Voldemort.

Fans of J.K. Rowling's novel may be a touch disappointed at Newell for condensing the lengthy book, but the correct portrayal of darkness and evil will reconcile their expectations.