Sidenote! my spell check wasn't working when I typed this out, so please bear with me if there's any spelling mistakes because ikantspell
I went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and all I got was this crappy review
Major spoilers... Do not read if you have yet to see the movie, since my thoughts are pretty much scene by scene. It also has some pictures :) I'm sure I've forgotten things, but I wrote this late last night because I couldn't sleep so please forgive me if it doesn't all make sense. Also, I am the type-o queen and a monkey has better spelling that I. Hmm, and some parts are just me being silly, and are not meant to be taken seriously, okay! I'm also working on some captions for various scenes of the movie. I just have to resize and clean up the caps, so that should be up this afternoon :) Caps used below are from teh_indy, dj43 or me. Images from Veritaserum.
Overall, I guess I did enjoy the movie. It was entertainting. But I think that had you not read the book beforehand, a lot of things are not properly explained and you could be lost.
The feel of the book was there, the darkness, the danger, the tension barely disguised, you know something is about to happen, and there's nothing you can do to prevent it. As Hermione put it so well, everything is going to change, when in fact everything has changed.
The movie was upbeat - rushed even. Due to the size of the book, a lot was cut out, sadly some very interesting scenes IMO were cut out. This makes me worry since the books keep getting bigger and bigger, will we end up with a 4 hour movie for the final book? Although I wouldn't really mind.
The Opening Scene Yes, so this was a little different, since they added Barty Crouch Jr. I can understand this choice since they completely scratched the Winky/Crouch plot, and it makes it easier to understand. It also makes the plot easier to catch. When I read Goblet of Fire, I was totally stunned when the truth unfold. I do find putting Barty Crouch Jr. in the first scene gives a lot away. But, oh well.
They also ditched the whole Bertha Jorkins thing too, which I understand wasn't very important but does create some holes concerning how Voldemort found out about all this.
Hey wait, no Dursley's? No Weasleys in the fireplace and awesome discussion about plug? And Dudley's giant tongue?!? *sobs quietly*
Mollywobbles? Garden Gnomes? Prat Percy? Bill & Charlie's banging kitchen tables? Where?
*pauses* Cedric jumping from the tree *sigh* *dies* *sobs*
The Quiddtich World Cup Overall, way to rushed, because, well we didn't see it! I know there were planning to cut it out, so we should be happy about seeing a glimpse of it, but well...
Check it out, it's the KKK, only in black. This is not really how I pictured the Death Eaters, but yeah it's kind of freaky. But I do think it would have been better with just hooded figures. I know there was this whole visual association with Nazis in POA (Just look at the way the Slytherins dressed) and yes, their beliefs can clearly be associated with neo-nazi ideologies, but the pointed DE just didn't fit in for me :/
And they're supposed to be dangling poor Muggles upside down :( In the promo image they did show them dangling, so I got my hopes up! Gots me all excited. What? James Potter used to enjoy dangling people upside too you know! It's fun!
Click to view full size image
Once again, Death Eaters, Rampage, Dark Mark, Stupefy. Oh fuck, we're already on the train. Blink and you miss it. Btw, I didn't like the Barty Crouch/Ministry scene. At all. It's really rushed and nothing is explained. The Dark Mark is pretty important and no one explains why everyone is so freaked. Dang, when you see it hovering over your house, it means you'll find someone dead inside, murdered by Death Eaters. Pretty frightful, IMO.
I did not like the portrayal of Barty Crouch senior either. He's a lot harder in the books, obsessed by rules, this close to crazy actually, you know the maniacal crazy type. And he's just all soft and wide-eyed here.
Oh look Cho (I love the accent!, Hedwig, WTF, the others students are already here. How, When, How!) What the fuck is wrong with Dumbledore? You've got to get of crack and stop shouting. Dumbledore is calm and placid. You're fucking high.
Beauxbatons & Durmstrang. I didn't really like the Beauxbatons, they weren't anything like in the book, they're supposed to be snotty and look down on everyone, and they were all just too nice. And damn, some of the were just plain ugly! Durmstrang on the other hand... Oh boy. I loved their entrace. Very hot. Mmmm.
The DADA class with Moody was good. Even though it was slighty different from the book, the feel was captured and it was well done. I wasn't convinced by Moddy at first because that is not at all how I pictured him... (I saw him looking more like Filch actually), but getting into the movie, it bothered me less, although I do feel the part was over played and it was to 'evil' at times. In the book, Barty Crouch Jr. is very careful not to give himself away, I did feel the movie Moody was a little too careless.
The Goblet scene was funny, I loved how they carried Cedric in. It was cute. And Ron 'Hi Ced' Priceless. The twins, I loved the bickering with Hermione, and the fight. It was funny how everyone ran over 'Fight! Fight!' and Hermione rolled her eyes, whatever. Spot on Hermione. And Krum googling Hermione. Hmm, Me likes. And Hermione likes too.
Dumbledore shouting 'HARRY POTTER' when his name came out of the Goblet struck me as wrong during the trailer. In the actual movie it flows better, because he shouts it several times, louder and louder as Harry wishes the ground would swallow him. However, Dumbledore shoving Harry against the wall and shaking him was just so... out of character. It really bothered me.
The Rita scene was really funny. I like the way she was portrayed, pretty much how I imagined her really. I was just really disappointed they didn't add more of her... WTF, she's an unregistered animagus people!! To which the non-book readers say What the fuck is an animagus? And why must they be registered *facepalm*
Ah the ferret scene, I'm so glad that was included, although if I remember rightly it wasn't at the right moment in the movie. Harry and Ron were on speaking terms and I miss Ron's line about wanting to keep that memory in his mind forever. *sigh*
I found the first task way too long. Not to mention it was nothing like the book. The scene on the roof just got my yawning. But it did love when he zoomed over the top box and broke it down. Snape and Rita Skeeter's faces were priceless.
The scene they added with McGonagall teaching them to dance was actually cute. I love the typical girl behaviour *omg squee* and the guys desperately trying to sink into their chairs. Once again, Ron and the twins stole the show. And Neville, OMG, Neville, so adorable :) See, he's the nice sensitive guy how should get the girl in the end. Really.
They also changed the whole 'Get a date scene', but I did find it very funny. The twins were great and I guess it was just an opportunity to put Snape in. I loved when he pulled up his sleves and pushed them down. Funny - and very Snape.
OMG, they actually did one like it is in the book, well close enough anyway. It's no secret I hate Cho, but this moment was cute. Doyouwanagototheballwithme? But I was expecting the final line With Cedric, Cedric Diggory. I also appreciated that they included the whole Ron asking Fleur to the Yule Ball. It was cute. And, me just being picky. Parvarti and her twin Padma, are not in the same house. Padma is a Ravenclaw. Okay!
The dress robes. Ancient! Funny scene. Again, not quite right compared to the book, but well done. I love they way everyone looks at him with utter disgust.
The Yule Ball Okay this has been said over and over again. Hermione's dress should be blue. At the end of the day it's not that important. I mean I understand the whole blue eyes/green eyes thing, and the none canon hair since, well it's hard to find actors that fit descriptions perfectly, but would it have been so fucking hard to put her in a blue dress. Honestly?
*OMG squee* Filch and Mrs Norris. OTP!!
Ron in denial, so fun, and really well played. The fight was well done too, but poor Harry kinda steps in and gets torn apart. I love the 'WhatdidIdo' look on his face. Hermione crying in the stairs was so sad. Made me want to thump Ron. Overall, I did find it a tiny bit rushed, but it fell together well, except for one moment they're ballroom dancing, the next they're pogoing? The band was not at all how I pictured it and what are they doing to Flitwick... That's just... wrong.
Awww. Hagrid and Madame Maxime. I love how he lowers his hand and she pulls it back up. Burned!
He's a physical being I loved Harry's face. Hilarious. A bath!? OMG, Cedric, you are SUCH a perv. Mmmm. I'll take a bath with you!
Am I possible the only person who didn't go OMG!Nekkid Harry during the bathtub scene? mmm. He's a kid. Well saying that I'd much rather have a nekked!Ron scene actually... *slaps hands* Bad, bad Emma. But yeah, the whole scene was just creepy... OMG Myrtle, you're a perv!
The Second Task Again, far too long IMO. Neville had a South Park moment OMG, I've killed Harry Potter I didn't like the underwater scenes, but I don't really like underwater things anyway. Ron & Hermione all looked so young though. And freaky.
Okay why the fuck is Cho waving as she gets to the surface? The Fleur/Ron scene was cute, I liked it, but I really did miss not seeing Dumbledore talk to the Merpeople! Wahh.
Oh look, Barty Crouch. Wait, he's dead. How? When? How?
The Trial Okay, we only get to see one trial, which is a shame. I found these scenes really interesting in the book and was hoping to see them onscreen, but it was cut down to Karkaroff. Yes, we do indeed learn the essential, but I was hoping to see the Lestranges :/ And I did not like young Barty Crouch Jr. In the book he's all young and really plays innocent well. In the movie he's just creepy. The original scene was quite harsh and touching yet the movie gave us nothing.
OMG, Snape gets a whole 45 sec of screen time...
The Finak task Again, I was not fully happy with this scene. WTF. The maze eats you? And where are the traps, the riddles, Hagrids crazy beasts? I also wanted the see the part where Harry gets turned upside down. Fleur's freak out was great, but her disappearing int the maze was... creepy.
Okay, where is the giant spider. Where?
*blink*Potkey*blink* Ced is ded. I actually thought the graveyard scene was well done, except for the gravestone - that names Voldemort's father 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' which is WRONG WRONG WRONG! But I'm just being difficult!
Voldemort's father was called Tom Riddle. Tom Marvolo Riddle is Voldemort's real name ('Marvolo' was the name of his maternal grandfather).
While I think Ralph Fiennes performance as Voldemort was good, something didn't really click. In his demeanour and speech Voldemort was dignified and impressive, but I couldn't take my mind of the fact that he looked like somekind of giant fish... Not really scary...
I think I may be the only person that doesn't qualify his nose as a 'diaster'. He's supposed to be snake like and the nose it. I just didn't find him overly terrifying as he's meant to be. But that might just be psychological. And mind image of something can be a lot more frightful than the actual thing.
I wasn't a big fan of the Priori Incantatem scene either. I lacked emotion and I was disappointed we didn't actually see Harry's Parents. Not to mention that nothing was explained. If you have never read the book, I'd expect a huge WTF moment.
I loved when Harry brought Cedric back. I found really well played. Everyone was singing and jumping up and down while Harry was completely in shock. Then Fleur screams and the crowd figures something isn't right. I cried. I admit. I cry everytime I read the book too.
That's my boy!
The Moody/Crouch Jr. was also seriously lacking - until Snape arrived. Crouch/Snape OTP I like to lick wands Once again everything after Harry returns with Cedrics body is rushed. The grieving, the Crouch Jr. scene, the speech.
Characters, Ships & Acting
I think the film captured the fact that the kids were growing up pretty well. They are changing, and the world they are living in is changing. The movie is feverish, just like the book. Even though most people refuse to admit it, deep down they know that difficult times are ahead.
The Trio was well portrayed, although there was far too much focus on Harry & Hermione. I know H/Hr all over the world are squeeing becuase a lot of people say the movie ships them. While they spend a lot of time together and are clearly attached to each other, I don't think it's mean they're a potential couple. Harry is Hermione's friend and she is smart enough to reslise what danger he's in - unlike the boys who just think it's cool he's in the tournament... (did I not see Fred and George cheering on the dragon during the first task?)
The fact that Harry clearly isn't bothered by the fact that Hermione is going to the Ball with someone. yes, he does like up to her 'Like Whoa' when he sees her, but he just thinks she's pretty. And when Hermione comments that Krum is a 'physical being' it makes him laugh - if he loved Hermione, I don't think it would make him grin...
Dan's make a huge improvement in his acting, and I found him quite convincing. He seems a lot more confortable and certainly less stiff on screen. Emma is better too, still a little OTT at moments, but better.
Ron was great in this movie. I was enraged by the fact that he was becoming more and more the 'comic relief' and was labelled as barely a sidekick in the previous movies. Yes he pulls some funny one-liners, but he's more than that. And if you know me, you'll also know how much I love Rupert Grint. He's really amazing, and I think he might be the one who will pull off the best career after HP.
The twins. Everyday I love them more and more. And the movies twins are no disappointment. They nail everyone of the lines perfectly.
Ginny. Well, I've always loved Ginny and I truly despise who she's been lynched by part of the fandom. She is nothing of a slut. She's just a pretty girl. And if Ginny's a slut, what is Cho? Well whatever. I liked that she was more present in this movie. I wasn't convinced by Bonnie in CoS, but time has proved me wrong, she's a great Ginny. Like the twins, she nails the few lines she gets perfectly. And she's really turning into a pretty girl.
Neville. Like Ginny, he was a lot more present than ever before in the movies. I think the fact that he becomes more important in the two next books is why. They're preparing us so non-book people won't be like 'Who the fuck is that!' When come OoTP. I love how they made him love dancing. So cute.
Other than that, all the other characters were empty. I'm not commenting against the acting, but really the writing of character development. There was none. Cedric has a grand total of 10 line, Cho three, and Krum didn't speak - well he just had that line at the end Write me. I was dying to hear him try and pronouce Hermione's name... Hermy - own - ninny *tamtrum*
Cedric Diggory the so called nice guy just came off as pervy. Not that I didn't like it! Or maybe that's just me because I find Robert Pattinson dead sexy. And he's so obviously on crack. Rob was not drunk, he was just... a little tired *cough*right*cough*
Snape! We need more Snape. Karkaroff and Snape were very gay. i read an article where Dan stated that only Alan Rickman knows the true truth about his character. J.K has kept all the rest of the cast in the dark as to what exactly Snape is up to.
I loved McGonagall. While everyone was having tendencies to manhandle Harry and yell at him, she was always reassuring. I loved when she put her hand on his shoulder after his name came out of the Goblet.
Little things
There were several little things that could easily have been left out, yet those chose to include with I really liked...
Little things that were missing...
Re-reading, I notice how bitchy I am :) I just enjoyed the book so much, I guess I could only be disappointed. The movie is very entertaining and they did a good job, I just think it could have been better :)
But still OMG!SQUEE!!
I'll definitely be getting the DVD when it's out and watch it over and over again.
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