15 Years Later: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Director: Mike Newell
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Running time: 157 minutes

The Hogwarts gang return for their fourth year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is due to hold the Triwizard Tournament between the three major schools of magic from Europe – including Hogwarts, the Durmstrang Institute and the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. From each school, one champion is chosen to represent by the infamous Goblet of Fire.

People who wish to compete must be of a certain age, so when Harry’s name appears from the Goblet, it is a decision that is questioned considering he is not of eligible age. However, whoever the Goblet picks cannot refuse to compete, so Harry is forced to complete the competition, but danger lies ahead for Harry.

In terms of the Harry Potter franchise, this is the addition in the series that always stands out to me and remains my favourite. One of these main reasons is the thriller aspects to the film, particularly in certain scenes. From the onset, we find out this Triwizard tournament is a very dangerous competition that can even result in death. Although I first watched this when I was younger, this still made me want to watch it even more! 

Some of the most exciting scenes include where we see the participants partake in the second task where the champions must swim into the Black Lake to retrieve something that was stolen from each of them. After Harry takes the gillyweed – to enable him to grow gills – the thrill factor sets in because we see the unusual come to life on screen. It was specific scenes like this that stood out to me and made the film a more exhilarating viewing as it was a constant reminder to me, I was viewing the magnificent and magical world that was Harry Potter.

The cast of Harry Potter has always been known to be full of some of the greats – especially the recurring cast – however the guest stars in this film was another aspect that remains a constant to me. An actor in particular is of course a young Robert Pattinson. In his days before Twilight, it seemed a fresh-faced Pattinson was what we needed to make the Harry Potter franchise an even greater viewing. 

Robert’s character of Cedric Diggory brings a sweetness to the cast, as in some way he reminds me of the sweet boy next door who can do no wrong. Although he faces Potter as the fellow competing champion for Hogwarts, he remains a strong team player against Harry – and is a pleasurable view to the eye. 

It is Cedric’s character that is one you instantly love, and therefore why it makes it even more heart-breaking when he reaches his death at the end of the film – due to the working of the evil Voldermort.

One downfall of this film that has always stuck out to me is Emma Watson’s portrayal as Hermione, specifically her personality. From the first film in the series, we all know Hermione is the teacher's pet and sets to keep best friends Ron and Harry in line. However, for some reason in The Goblet of Fire, Hermione appears to be more nagging and consistently on the backs of Harry and Ron. Again, this is her character and at the end of the day we all love her, but it would be nice for it to be toned down some of the time.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire remains a standout film of the franchise and as it is leading to Christmas, it comes to the time of the year when the franchise will once again be on TV and for old times sake, it’s something you do not want to miss.

Did you know? The Goblet of Fire would have been the first Harry Potter movie to be split into two separate films, but screenwriter Steve Kloves struggled to find a way to successfully cut it in half.