My good friend Scotty and I pulled into Tinseltown this morning decked out in Hogwarts attire (pictures to come) and ready to grab our seats in the IMAX theater for our first viewing of Goblet of Fire. As we approached the line waiting to get in, I noticed no one else dressed up for the movie, so I promptly asked, “Is this the line for Chicken Little?”
Here is a very brief summary of just a few of my initial thoughts about the movie. Everything said here is subject to retraction and recantation upon subsequent viewings of the film.
Let’s start with a broad, sweeping statement: This is far and away the best of the four movies thus far. The acting is significantly improved in the children; Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson were absolutely great in this.
This film was indeed darker, but Newell did a great job not overdoing it, and humor was well-interspersed throughout. Watching Harry, Ron, and Hermione try to figure out what to do as young men and women attracted to other young men and woman was one of the movie’s highlights. We men can watch the awkwardness of Ron and Harry and relate.
Some have complained that the films moves along too quickly. I thought the pacing of the movie captured the pacing of the book quite well. The only place where the movie’s quick pacing became a problem was in the scene of Voldemort’s return. Things needed to slow down in order to capture the terror of that moment, and it was far too rushed in my opinion. The jury is out on Ralph Feinnes’ portrayal of Voldemort, but I’m inclined to say I liked it.
The “feel” of the scenes was often exactly what I had pictured in my mind as I read the book. I guess that doesn’t mean much, except that maybe I should give film directing a shot some day. Neah.
Minor gripes include not enough Snape, no explanation given of the reason for the attraction between Hagrid and the Beauxbatons headmistress, the changes made to the final trial, and a few others.
There’s much more to say, and I will elaborate further upon a second viewing. I’ll finish, however, with my greatest frustration – that Richard Harris is dead. Really, I know the Michael Gambon is a great actor; but I just don’t think he “gets” Dumbledore. This interview may explain why. With Gambon, we have lost the sagely nature and tranquil wisdom of Harris’ Dumbledore. The Albus we know in the books seems almost impassible at times, a calm in the midst of any crisis; when he does get visibly riled, we know something really bad is happening. Richard Harris gave us that Dumbledore. Gambon, on the other hand, gives us a headmaster who is very easily angered or saddened. He commands neither the attention nor the respect of Harris’ Dumbledore. While better in this movie than Prisoner of Azkaban, I still think he leaves much to be desired.
These negatives, though I have spent (too much) time on them, are not enough to kill this movie, however. It is a tremendous film, maybe the best of the year so far; and I am looking forward to another viewing (without a costume this time), after which I’ll expound a bit more on why I think it is such a great film.
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Travis, we ended up dressing up, but sadly, no pictures.
I think we’re on the same page about the film. I really liked it and am looking forward to seeing it again. I think this one made me laugh more than the other three, which made for a needed contrast to the dark and intense stuff. I did find it odd that Snape’s main contribution to the film was as comic relief (the classroom scene where he keeps whacking Ron on the head)! I was even cool with most of the changes they made to the plot. I just wish they had introduced Bellatrix LeStrange, to help set up Neville’s time to shine in the next film. At least they gave us some backstory to his folks.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to more of your thoughts on the movie!
Travis,
I have just now returned from watching the film and I was surprised to see how many things in yoru initial review exactly correspond to my own thoughts about the child actors, the pacing, and the Dumbledore character. That was the saddest part for me. Richard Harris captured Dumbledore as I imagined him while reading, and his impish humor, and towering presence both are missed in this ordinary Dumbledore by Gambon.
This was the best of the 4 films, I think.
Gaines and Glenn,
Glad to hear your thoughts. If the three of us agree, then our assessment can’t possibly be wrong. We’re all really smart, right?
You guys are right on the money. Have to say that Gambon did better this time though, I despised how he played the role in the last movie. And you are right, he is no Richard Harris. The pacing was awesome and at the end I was left wishing for it to continue. I agree with the Voldemort scene being rushed. I wish they could have included more, I could have watched another hour, easy!
I think someone else commented on this somewhere else, but I do wish they made the movies longer, or at least did an extended edition.
I agree with your overall review. My son is a mature nine and this was his favorite of the films. I’ve found that PoA and GoF both do a better job of telling the story instead of trying to remain absolutely true to the books, as the first two did. This bodes well for OotP and especially HBP, though I’m very concerned over the casting of Dumbledore.
Gambon was truly awful. I found him worse in this film than the last. In PoA, he was such a minor figure and he did portray that impish charm which is as much Dumbledore (think of his candy passwords) as the collected calm of a great man confronting his destiny. The nervous twitching Dumbledore of this film was no one I recognized and I worry for Harry in future films if this is the Dumbledore he is to depend on. Since there is to be a new director for the next movie, perhaps this will change.
Who would you cast? I was thinking of Christopher Lee, believe it or not. He is a compelling screen presence and could do great justice to that calm, somewhat detached yet deeply caring creature that is Professor Dumbledore. It’s the eyes I think. That interviewed you linked to depressed the heck out of me. No wonder he doesn’t “get” Dumbledore, he hasn’t read the books. Surely JK Rowling has something to say about her best character being portrayed this way????
Robin, I am flabbergasted and irked by Gambon as well. Christopher Lee would do well, I’m sure, but he wouldn’t get the part. He’s played too many bad guys lately, and I don’t believe most American viewers would be able to separate Dumbledore from Saruman.
I think Ian McKellan would be tremendous, but his recent work as Gandalf would prohibit his receiving the part for similar reasons.
My guess is they stick with Gambon. He’s been getting good reviews from critics who haven’t read the books.
I agree absolutely- michael gambon was awful as dumbledore and was the one character who really put me off the film. He behaves more like a high strung, nitwit whom no one could ever respect than the dumbledore we imagine (Richard Harris really pulled it off didnt he!)
Robbie
One thing that I hate about the movies besides Gambon’s acting is that they leave out important moral lessons, and what they replace them with is total carnality and vapidity.
Wow i saw that movie twice in theaters… and it was flipping awesome!!! I give it like a 9 out of 4 stars…..but whatever.. I thought it was really true to the book. There were a lot of differences, but they were more like petty differences, and they pretty much got theyre point across real well. And i totally think that the first guy who played Dumbledore in the 1st and 2nd movies was like”THE DUMBLEDORE” i mean, he like was DUmbledore. Id be, like, surprised if he didnt keep a wand in his pocket. But this new guy whats his face ” sir” Mike Gambon or whatever, needs to like untie his beard or something. he reeks. me and my friends think he looks like an old hippie. But otherwise, the movie was FLipping awesome!!!! i cant wait till the 7th book comes out ( i hope the 7th book comes out on July 7th 2007, cuz 7 is the magicalist number, and it would be the SEVENTH book coming out on the SEVENTH day of the SEVENTH month of two-thousand SEVEN!!!!) cool, and of course the fifth movie. i know there are the same actors and actresses in the 5th movie, but i hope theyre the same in the sixth movie, cuz that one was my favorite book.
well……. thats all i got to say .. i think
Thanks Pals! bye
Cassie*
Having read all I could take of your link to Michael Gambon’s interview, I was pretty annoyed with his over all attitude. You were right, so don’t be shy, it DOES explain EXACTLY why he SUCKED as DD!!!
What an arrogant pompous @#%!!! IF there is any such thing as an anti-fan club out there, count me a member, as long as it’s all professionally handled of course.
We don’t want any looneys knocking off actors now. He just needs to go back to the stage where he belongs apparently. He doesn’t need any more “money” for the massacre of one of the greatest characters ever, no matter how tempting. Surely he can get his precious cash doing something more uplifting!
(Just a little venting that’s all, so don’t mind little ole angry me. No one tells a fan “piss off” and gets points in my book, unless the fan is beyond obnoxious.)
…Actually, I take that back about letting Gambon return to the stage “where he belongs”. That was based on where he said his specialty lies, not where it in actuallity is. I have never before heard of an actor not researching their character both in and between the lines. Since when have any actors just been themselves on stage or film? That is ludicrous! Only bad ones dare try. A good actor can portray even that which they are not. IF this isn’t the case, well then we all better look out for the likes of Ralph Fiennes and Christopher Lee!
A great actor has to find and amplify where they are similar, but substitue and imagine the rest. I think Gambon’s thought process actually blasphemous! Selling his soul(and DD’s ficticious one too for all he cares) for fame and fortune! “That’s what that is” as Hagred would put it. And to think I thought I was being hard on the man before. My poor innocent nieve eyes have once again been opened to the evils of the world!!!! Calcon take me away!!!!!?
I agree after reading the interview he was rude, stupid and absolutely **** and who tells there fans to “piss off” even if they did get the name wrong and fancie not reading at least one of the books im serious i want him out!!!!!!!!!! lets just put it this way the duel between volde and dumby is gunna be ludacris to be onest i think its gunna be like watching paint dry with gambon doing it. And as much as i regret to say it is i cant w8 till dumby dyes in the 6th movie!!!!!!!
sorry for the bad laungage but im just so anoyed
Dom