Four out of five stars
Running time: 157 mins

Enjoyable sequel that should please fans of both the books and the films – it looks as gorgeous as the last one did and this time they’ve even tightened up the plot a bit.

The Background
One of the most enjoyable things about the Harry Potter franchise is seeing what a new director will bring to the films. For the fourth instalment, that honour falls to Mike Newell (of Four Weddings and a Funeral fame) and he does a surprisingly good job, remaining faithful to the look of Alfonso Cuaron’s previous film but also giving the book’s labyrinthine plot a much-needed trim.

The Story
The film kicks off at the Quidditch World Cup, where the appearance of evil Lord Voldemort’s loyal followers puts everyone in a bit of a state. Back at Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) announces that the school will host the prestigious Triwizard Tournament and Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) finds himself entered for the competition.

Meanwhile, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) begin to develop feelings for each other and there’s a new Master of the Dark Arts to contend with, in the shape of Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson).

The Good
The cast are a delight. Radcliffe’s acting has improved a lot this time round, though he still tends to do a lot of acting by gaping. However, it’s Brendan Gleeson who steals the film. He plays his character really well, considering that Mad-Eye Moody is basically a licence to overract.

The effects are extremely good and the CGI work is exceptional. The dragons, in particular, are superb. The film is also visually stunning. Newell retains the distinctive look of the previous film and it is beautifully shot with bleak, autumnal colours.

The Bad
If there’s a problem with the film it’s that it occasionally feels a little bit like skim-reading and some important emotional scenes go by too fast, without being allowed to make the necessary impact. To be fair, it is an extremely good adaptation for the most part, particularly considering the length of the book.

The Conclusion
In short, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is an extremely enjoyable experience. Parents should heed the 12A certificate, as it’s quite dark in places and small children might find it a bit too scary. Recommended.