Goblet of Fire
Went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on Thursday evening. Parts of it were enjoyable, but I was left with an overall feeling of disappointment. I can’t really put my finger on what would have made it better, but here are a few complaints (N.B. likely spoilers):
- No Dursleys. I can see why, in a way: having the same formula for the start of every film might not have Hollywood people overly inspired. But there’s a reason Harry has to return to their house. Perhaps they’ll leave that out too (was it Order of the Phoenix or Half-Blood Prince? I don’t remember…)
- The beginning was far too short. Decent gardener/Voldemort/Wormtail scene, but so little of the Quidditch World Cup? Just enough to make Muggle viewers aware that Krum is a Quidditch player, I suppose.
- Portkey spinning effect was OTT, IMO. The adults smugly “running” as they landed were annoying. Also inconsistent: no spinning at the end with the Triwizard Cup.
- No house elves. No SPEW (probably sensible, to be honest—I don’t recall the main plot being dependent on it).
- Barty Crouch is found lying in the forest. Nothing more is said about it!
- The labyrinth (third Triwizard task) was crap. Harry watched Fleur being taken by what I assume was Devil’s Snare, but seems to have forgotten lumos solaris from only 3 years ago.
- Fleur Delacors (sp?) is supposed to be stunningly gorgeous. Sorry, but I didn’t think so. Ron’s reaction to her is gormless as ever… it’s not even obvious that he likes her. Methinks the director wants the 12-year-olds to fancy Emma Watson.
- Emma Watson, about 60% of the time.
- Dumbledore 2. May Richard Harris rest in peace.
- Nothing about Rita Skeeter being an Animagus
- lots more that I can’t think of at the moment.
Perhaps I’ll do a “things I liked” tomorrow. After all, I did actually enjoy parts of the film! :-)
Work has been very good this week, thanks to Just In Time Carpets…
I also went to see Harry Potter on Thursday. I can see what you mean about being dissapointed. But then looking at what you didn’t like, I think you had too high expectations! It is only a film after all and can’t be anywhere near as long (or as good) as the book. What annoyed me most was the unneccesary break-free of the dragon, and the chase around the roofs of Hogwarts with it. That was unneccessary (but reminded me of Wallace and Gromit :-) I wonder whether they’d seen that sequence before?) and not in the book. I also thought the Quidditch World Cup scene was a bit short…
What does OTT mean? I didn’t mind the port key scene. I just missed the “Mr. Diggory patronising Harry because Cedric won in the Quidditch match” thing. But then I can’t remember whether he did actually win against him in the film… They probably left that out.
I agree about Barty Crouch, it became very arbitrary, you didn’t really know what was going on with him (if you didn’t know the story already…). And Percy wasn’t there!
I also agree about Fleur. She was far too little french and far too little Veila! Actually she reminded me of someone I know, which is never good…
I didn’t much like the new Dumbledore either. But I didn’t make the connection that it was because it’s a dfferent actor. He just didn’t get the proper “Dumbledore awe but still nice and also crazy” thing across. If you know what I mean…
But I thought the acting of the three was quite good. They’re becoming more real in a sense. Esp. Hermione :-) I loved the scene when she says “Victor is more of a physical being” :-)
That reminds me of another thing I didn’t like: Krum. He was just not surely enough, and not being able to walk properly and all that. Cedric was good as the pretty boy, but Krum was too… goodlooking and athletic, I guess. I really hated the scene where they walk into the great hall though… both the Beauxbattons and the Durmstrangs.
Right, enough comments :-) Clearly the books are much better, but they do make quite good films as well.
Comment by Julia — 26th November, 2005 @ 4:27 pm
I know, I know, I was expecting far too much! :P
OTT = Over The Top
The new(er) Dumbledore was in Prisoner of Azkaban too. He just annoyed me more in this one!
Agreed, the showoff entry into the Great Hall was just… wrong!
Comment by Michael — 31st December, 2005 @ 1:14 am