So I went to see the movie last night. Showed up at 7pm for the 8, but it was already sold out. So got tickets for the 915 but it sold out right before my friend could get one. So we get tickets for the 945. Lines started forming for the later shows as soon as the theater staff allowed. So we were waiting for a good hour and a half (longest I've ever waited I think) but got good seats. I think the combination that it's Harry Potter, that it's arguably the best book in the franchise so far and that moviegoers are anxcious for a GOOD movie caused such a frenzy. And for good reason too. This movie is the best in the franchise so far, topping the impressive Azkaban. I was a little nervous at first, cause the film was moving at a rapid pace, and rushing things along. So many of the scenes in the beginning just didn't have enough time to fully develop. But that had to be expected considering the length of the book. Overall, there is not a weak spot in the fim. Everything is handled, at the very least, very well, to downright perfect. The main cast is great as usual, and all the new additions, notably Mad-Eye, Cedric, Cho, Krum and Voldemort turn in excellent performances. This really is a turning point for the series, much like Empire was for Star Wars. Bad things happen, people die, the good guys don't win. Add to that, teenage angst is in full force and our young heroines begin to realize that things will never be the same, for better or worse. As for the direction, well Newell brings a fresh and different style to the Potter universe, while remaining true to the overall visual feel that has stayed consistent throughout the series. And the end, well it was pretty emotional. These films do keep getting better and better. And best of all, this isn't no kids film anymore. Harry Potter is getting older and the story - books and films alike - are reflecting that. Go see it, it will not dissapoint (this coming from a HP fan that has only read Order of the Phoenix)
The movie was extremely well done and probably created the most emotion in the audience out of the four so far. My only complaint is that if you havent read the book, then parts of the movie will seem really confusing. That being said, it was really solid and the best of the four so far.
Got 7:00 tickets for tonight. If it's remotely near the level of Azkaban, I'll be happy. (BTW, Chris Columbus SUCKS.)
Wow, ive thought the last two movies have been horrible. The new Dumbledore plain and simply sucks. The acting has gotten alot worse (notably Harry and Hermione). Also, I dont think they did a good job introducing the tournament. The best movie of the series is by far the first one. If youve read the books then I dont understand how you could possibly think that the last two movies are even watchable. I had to stop watching Prisoner of Azkaban because it was terrible, and I really wanted to walk out of Goblet of Fire as well.
We just got tickets to a 6:30 showing and I'm really excited. I have read various places about what was left out and a little of it is suprising. I'm still sure that it is going to be good though. This is probably my favorite book of the series.
Saw it last night and really enjoyed it. I was a bit surprised with a couple of things they left out but most of the other stuff was backstory. Had they includded it the movie would have been 4-5 hours long. HAving said that I wish they had done as they originally considered and made this in 2 movies. they could have easily made a vol. 1 & 2 and covered a good bit of the story. I will probably be going again to see it with my son this week. *****Spoiler***** I was a little glad they left the dobby stuff out of the movie. In the movie he is a Jar-Jar clone, he plays much better in the books. I was also a little disappointed in the fact that they left the Karkarov/Snape interaction at a bare minimum. In fact they didn't even show Karkarov flee at the end.
I've only read Order of the Phoenix...so from my point of view, as someone whose basically just seen the movies, I've thought they've all been well done, especially Azkaban and Goblet. Why? Because those two movies didn't try to painstakingly follow the source material. The directors infused their own vision and style into the Potter universe. In addition, the last two movies were a lot more emotionally invested in their characters. The talks Harry had w/ Proffessor Lupin in Azkaban, the Yule Ball and teenage hijinx in Goblet were some of my favoirte scenes because of their human elements. And while I didn't read the books, it was very clear to me in the last two movies that storylines were cut out and other things shortened. Did that make things seemed rush at times? Yes. But you cannot expect to condense a 700+ page book into a 2 1/2 hour movie and leave everything in it. And to be honest, I think such tangents as Hermione's campaign to free the house elves wouldn't fit well into the structure of the movie. And while I may not have read the books, I have friends that have and are total Potter geeks, and they've liked all 4 movies. To each his own I guess.
Sadly, you read possibly the most boring book of the series. I'm glad they cut out the house elf crap as well, good move by the director. Maybe they can cut out 350 pages of Sirius Black complaining about being under house arrest in the 5th movie.
I saw the movie today and I must say that Ralph Fienes is going to be an awsome Lord Voldermort. I can't wait untill the next 2 movies when his role increases. The one part that did not fit was the Rock band at the Yule ball.
OK, just got back from the movie and man did the beginning go FAST! I understand that they had to cut out a ton to get as much in as possible but the World Cup was like a minute. I still really enjoyed the movie but wish that they could have gone into more detail like the book. I honestly feel like people who have not read the book would have a lot of trouble following the movie.
All in all, I was pretty satisfied with the movie. Time really flew by, and I was entertained the whole time. Overall, the movie was on par with Azkaban. I hate to say it, but the movie score was very good. I was mighty pissed when I heard John Williams was out for this movie, but I gotta tip my hat to Patrick Doyle. Well done. Now for the bad: Cuaron was superior in direction. Not a revelation, mind you, but it showed. Although there were some impressive shots, Newell just doesn't do transitions very well, and some scenes just... ended. But, he's still like leaps and bounds better than Columbus, and for that, I'm thankful. One big negative: A good deal of the CGI was just atrocious. I'm talking first Potter movie bad. Yuck. -----SPOILERS------ Newell really gave away the whole twist ending fairly early. The clues were hardly subtle, like a sledgehammer to the head. Also, I understand the need to condense the material, but leaving out crucial information, like 1) HOW Crouch escaped Azkaban and 2) WHY Harry and Voldemort's wands cancelled each other out is almost unforgivable. Yeah, I know, because I read the books, but non-Potter fans certainly won't, so I foresee many confused people walking out of the theater. Oh, well. At least they'll be entertained.
I agree on both counts. Fienes was excellent, except I didn't like the way he seemed to hop around the graveyard. I always pictured Voldemort as being more of a dignified, slow moving killer. But it was a small quibble. The rock song did not fit at all and I had flashbacks to A Knight's Tale...which is never a good thing. Overall I enjoyed the movie, but I really don't like the way the current version of Dumbledore is being played. Richard Harris had it down, this new guy does not. Much too bumbling and unsure of himself.
The books get better and better each time... ...and so do the movies. This movie was awesome. I don't really have much to add that hasn't already been said. Go see this movie if you can.
I thought this Dumbledore was played differently than the Richard Harris one. He seemed more angry and firm with his students, no longer allowing Harry to do whatever he wanted. Anyways, based on how I interpreted his actions in the books following Goblet of Fire, I think that Gambon did a good job getting to the next phase of Dumbeldore's persona. Anyways, Goblet of Fire was worse than Azkaban, but better than the other two. All in all, very entertaining but I was dissappointed by the lack of coverage about their "school life" like in the other movies.
Was anyone else put off more than a little by Cho? An asian girl with a Scottish accent? It was weird, but kind of alluring.
I thought it was great. Unfortunately, or I guess fortunately, I don't remember the books well enough to be upset at the stuff they left out. Except for the World Cup stuff, that part went by too fast.
