Review of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Oh my god! I've killed Harry Potter!

Well, not exactly. How can you kill off someone who is just beginning to come into maturity? As a self-confessed Potterphile, I completely fell in love with this film. Although Harris' loss was deeply saddening, I could not have asked for a better actor to replace him than Sir Michael Gambon. Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson have definitely grown up, and although their first three films seemed lacking in terms of acting ability and flexibility, they certainly come to terms in this film. I have to commend Watson for finally showing us the kind of stuff she is really made of. The rest of the cast... wow. Britain's acting force comes out full swing in this film (woe that Oldman was only given a few seconds' screen time, and in a fireplace, no less!), and it adds to the charm and loveablity of the film.
Harry Potter (Radcliffe) is now on his fourth year at Hogwarts, but turbulent times lie ahead. During the summer, the much-anticipated sporting event, the Quidditch World Cup, was interrupted by the casting of the Dark Mark, the known symbol of the Dark Lord, Voldemort (Fiennes). The start of the year shows that an age-old competition is being revived, and only sixth and seventh years are allowed to participate. Harry, along with his two closest friends, Ron Weasley (Grint) and Hermione Granger (Watson), have nothing in mind but to sit back and watch the event unfold. Unfortunately for Harry, someone has submitted his name in the competition, and as his name is chosen for the fourth candidate, it causes a rift between him and Ron, as well as among the other headmasters of the two magical schools who are included in the contest: Igor Karkaroff (Bjelac) and Madame Maxime (de la Tour). But bigger problems lie ahead. Will a competition between three magical schools even matter if the return of Lord Voldemort is inevitable?
Excellent. Probably my third favorite of the series, after The Half Blood Prince and The Order of the Phoenix. Having David Tennant and Miranda Richardson on board was definitely a tasty treat. Any fantasy fan would be incomplete without watching the film adaptation of the biggest literary series to come out this century. ;)