Movie Project Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

So sorry -- posted this to my Movie Project blog on July 11 and forgot to cross post.

• Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
• Director: Mike Newell
• Date: 2005
• Studio: Warner Brothers
• Genre: Fantasy
• Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Robert Hardy, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Miranda Richardson, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Tennant
• Format: Color, Widescreen
• DVD Format: R1, NTSC

"Dark and difficult times lay ahead, soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy. But remember this -- you have friends here, you're not alone." -- Professor Dumbledore

With Goblet of Fire, the Harry Potter series take a turn for the darker, and the new director, Mike Newell, doesn't shoot the film and its environment the way his predecessors did. Rather than giving us lovely, beautiful shots and placing the characters in them perfectly -- Newell concentrates on showing us close-ups of the characters' faces. Not as interesting an approach to watch, but, on the other hand, it does add to the emotional feel of the film.

This is the first Harry Potter film to have a very episodic feel to it. We see a brief, almost prologue, at the Quiddich World Cup, which is broken up by a show of force by the Death Eaters, the first and second Tri-Wizarding Tournament tasks, the Yule Ball, and the final task and Harry's confrontation with Voldemort. Each episode is well realized and told, but of course details from the book are lost, as they have been for all the Harry Potter films.

Still, it is a very good movie, and a good adaptation of the novel. The Wizarding World is again expanded and Harry goes with Ron and his family to the Quiddich World Cup; then at Hogwarts, exchange students from Drumstrang and Madam Beaux Batons Academy come to Hogwarts for the Tri-Wizarding Tournament. It's interesting to note that apparently Drumstrang is a boys school and Beaux Batons a girls school. Only Hogwarts appears to be co-ed of the three Wizarding Schools. A champion is to be chosen from each school, but he or she must be seventeen or older. Yet, not only is Hogwarts represented by Cedric Diggory, but also by Harry. This causes Harry some problems, as even Ron is jealous and angry. However, Ron and Harry work out their differences after Ron sees the danger Harry is in during the first task of challenging a dragon. During the second task, Harry comes in last as he's determined to rescue all the kidnapped people (Ron, Hermione, Cho, and Fleur's younger sister). Cedric and Krum save their "treasures" and Harry rescues Ron and Fleur's sister. His bravery and determination, however, earn him extra points for moral fibre, and he ends up in second place behind Cedric.

The third task is a maze, with the Tri-Wizarding Cup hidden somewhere inside. After spooky challenges, Harry and Cedric take the Cup at the same time. But it's a portkey, transporting them to the graveyard where Tom Riddle's parents are buried. Cedric is killed. Wormtail performs an incantation which brings back Voldemort. Harry and Voldemort duel, but their wands become locked. Harry escapes, bringing Cedric back and sobbing.

In a sober end-of-year lecture, Dumbledore informs all the Hogwarts students that Cedric was killed by Voldemort, who's back.

Recommendation: See It
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Next Film: Henry V

Movie project review: Henry V

• Title: Henry V
  
• Director: Kenneth Branagh
  
• Date: 1989
  
• Studio: MGM (DVD release)
  
• Genre: Action, Drama
  
• Cast: Christian Bale, Kenneth Branagh, Brian Blessed, Robbie Coltrane, Judi Dench, Richard Easton, Ian Holm, Derek Jacobi, Paul Scofield, John Sessions, Emma Thompson
  
• Format: Color, Widescreen
  
• DVD Format: R1, NTSC
  

"Oh, for a Muse of Fire that would ascend the brightest heart of invention." -- Chorus

"No King of England if not King of France." -- Henry V

"Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more..." -- Henry V

"And upon this charge, cry God for England, Harry, and St. George." -- Henry V

Branagh does a very traditional take on Shakespeare's history play, Henry V, and brings it to life on the screen wonderfully. The film features an excellent cast, all of whom are excellent. When watching Shakespeare, either live, or a television or film presentation, I'm always almost distracted by the famous quotes and Henry V is no exception, which goes to show just what an excellent writer Shakespeare really was.

But Henry V is also a history play, meant to instruct the Elizabethan audience on their history, with a favorable nod toward the Tudor line. The film opens with Henry's advisors explaining to him that he has a just claim to the throne of France, through the female line, tho' France is claiming Sallic law -- that is, Royal descent through the male line only. The French Delphin arrives, bearing the message the King has refused Henry's claim -- and an insulting present. This pushes Henry into the decision he was leaning towards: he will invade France and pursue his claim militarily.

Henry and company are next in Southampton. Henry is asking his advisors how to deal with a man who has broken the law. They advise harshly. However, the audience knows these advisors are conspiring against Henry and are actually in the employ of France. Henry gives the man accused a light sentence, then he has the three conspirators arrested. They are accused of High Treason. Henry, points out that since they did not advise mercy for a lesser crime, he will show no mercy to them.

The English army heads to France, and into a battle. Henry himself leads the charge, with rousing words of bravery on horseback, "Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more..." -- Henry V. They take the castle, but Henry advises his men, they are not to harrass the villagers. Nothing is to be taken, but paid for. The French people are not to be harrassed. Henry even orders the execution of one of his own men who was caught stealing from a church, though the man is an old friend and advisor.

Finally, the English army reaches Avincourt. They are cold, wet, tired, and sick. On the eve of battle, it is plain they are out-numbered five to one. Henry takes another advisor's cloak and wanders through the British camp, getting a feel for how his soldiers really feel about the king. Some support the king, others, fear they are on a fool's errand and the king will only get himself captured and need to be ransomed. Henry swears this will not happen, though he is also worried by the long odds. The next day, Henry gives the rousing St. Crispin's Day speech ("We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...") and the English charge into battle. The battle is extremely well-filmed, showing both chaos and violence, and historic tactics. Again, Henry leads his own men into battle. The English archers fire thousands of arrows into the French army, killing hundreds of men and boys.

At the end, though it looks like the English have one, Henry is unsure. The French envoy arrives and tells him that he has won the day. Later there is an accounting -- the French have lost 8000 men, including over 500 newly named knights. The English, about five named men, and an additional twenty-five. Henry gives credit to God for fighting for them.

Henry then goes to the French king. Among his terms, the crown of France and the king's daughter - Katherine. The French king gives all to Henry. Henry, after some courting of Katharine is to marry her. The film shows the two as the new king and queen. However, Chorus reminds the audience that Henry's son is not the man his father was, and he will lose France.

The courting scene between Henry (Kenneth Branagh) and Katharine (Emma Thompson) is wonderful, and the sparks fly -- though she speaks only French, and he really only speaks English. He tries speaking in French to her, but only succeeds in making her laugh. Still, the chemistry is palatable.

Christian Bale is extremely young in this, playing one of the boy pages, who sets off the flight of arrows at Agincourt, and is also killed. He's like, eight in this. But he's recognizable -- and it's surprising to see him. The cast is filled with excellent British talent: Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, John Sessions, Robbie Coltrane, Brian Blessed and Judi Dench, as well as, of course, Branagh and Thompson.

Recommendation: See it!
Rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Next Film: Highlander