Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Blu-ray Movie Review

The latest release of this entertaining entry in the saga earns its "Ultimate" stripes...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown October 23, 2010

I've long been baffled by the criticism Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire draws in certain circles. Though more plot driven and less poignant than The Prisoner of Azkaban (Alfonso Cuarón's gripping foray into the Potter saga), director Mike Newell's action oriented entry had far more obstacles to overcome. For one, J.K. Rowling's fourth novel was almost twice as long as her third, leaving franchise screenwriter Steve Kloves with the thankless task of hacking entire subplots and character beats from one of the series' most beloved chapters. Combined with the sudden induction of yet another filmmaker (the third director in four films), the introduction of dozens of new characters, a slew of crucial intertwined storylines, a sprawling effects-laden production and the tone-skewing magic and intrigue of an increasingly complex tale, I'm surprised Newell's Potter didn't unravel at the seams. Instead, its brisk pacing and nimble plotting represent a welcome bridge between the gloomy confines of The Prisoner of Azkaban and the lofty, cerebral pursuits of The Order of the Phoenix. It isn't perfect -- Rowling devotees will rightfully mourn the loss of significant material while those who haven't read the books will claim its dense story is a tad demanding -- and it struggles to maintain the balance between light and dark Cuarón so masterfully struck. But The Goblet of Fire is still an entertaining, oft-times captivating installment in the series that outclasses both The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets.

Lord Voldemort returns with a vengeance...

After learning of his godfather's innocence and mucking with the time stream to right what once went wrong, Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) returns for his fourth year of study at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But something strange is afoot. Not only is Harry chosen by the mysterious Goblet of Fire to participate in the Triwizard Tournament (much to the dismay of several parties), he's plagued by nightmares in which Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) plots with traitorous alumni, encounters trouble at the Quidditch World Cup and grows suspicious of his new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Mad-Eye Moody (Brendan Glesson). (One would think Hogwarts would preform more thorough background checks, but I suppose anything goes in a school full of witches and wizards.) More trouble awaits. At the Triwizard Tournament, Harry is faced with three challenges: retrieving a golden egg from the lair of a deadly dragon, braving the depths with Black Lake mermaids and racing his international competitors through a sentient hedge maze. As sinister forces align against the young wizard, he turns to best friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) and seeks counsel from his dearest advisor, Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). But will Voldemort rise before the heroes prevail? Will Harry uncover the identities of Voldemort's zealots and piece together their devious plans? Is it possible for a champion of his stature to win the Triwizard Tournament? Or are the games merely a part of a carefully laid trap designed to lure him into the open?

If The Prisoner of Azkaban was a filling, three-course meal, The Goblet of Fire is a chocolate-slathered dessert. More than any other Harry Potter film, Newell's entry delivers a steady stream of dragon dodging, snitch snatching, teeth gnashing, mermaid darting, double crossing, wand brandishing and bolt hurling sure to leave adventure-starved viewers gasping for breath. Grand galas and bubblegum hijinks stifle the magnificent, macabre madness of it all, but the moment Harry takes to the skies or dives beneath the waves, such shortcomings hardly matter. And while the story itself is more convoluted than its predecessors, Kloves keeps a tight grip on the reigns. The Triwizard Tournament is an intense addition that propels the narrative along and Harry's desperation to decipher his dreams keeps his evolution front and center. Squabbles with Ron and Hermione ring true as well, and division within the Potter ranks proves to be as hazardous as Voldemort's impending return. Radcliffe, Watson and Grint, a tad older and substantially wiser, emerge as a trio to be reckoned with, infusing their every interaction with palpable anxiety and convincing psychological strain. The young actors make their final transition to adolescence, all-too-familiar outbursts and pubescent self-absorption in tow, and point Harry, Hermione and Ron toward a future fraught with peril. No, they aren't as likable as they once were, and yes, they're growing pains take a tremendous toll. But the trio rarely wavers and their bond, warts and all, becomes stronger than ever.

It helps that The Goblet of Fire's beasties and baddies are so frightfully realized on screen. The Triwizard Tournie's fire-spewing dragon and ungodly mermaids are formidable foes worthy of Harry's fear, a particularly nasty impostor raises the stakes and Fiennes' Voldemort steals the show with a terrifying, bestial blend of man and monster. (One sure to top many a "Cinema's Best Villains" list.) His presence is felt long before the Dark Lord crawls out of the abyss, so much so that Fiennes' inevitable appearance makes an even more unsettling impact. Some of the film's CG effects haven't aged as well as others, but for the most part, Newell's creepy crawlies and leering monstrosities look fantastic. So where does the fourth Harry Potter stumble? While the absence of Harry's obnoxious adoptive family is a godsend (essential to the story as they might be, they're the worst part of Kloves' Potter adaptations), other exorcised elements are sorely missed (Hermione's founding of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare chief among them). The film never feels incomplete (at least it won't to anyone who isn't steeped in HP lore), but Rowling readers will count the cost of Kloves and Newell's choices. Be that as it may, The Goblet of Fire is a winning chapter in the Harry Potter series and a thrilling addition to an impressive stretch of storytelling. It isn't as bold and hypnotic as The Prisoner of Azkaban or quite as rich and resonant as The Half-Blood Prince (well, not until the last thirty minutes), but it is a worthwhile film in a franchise that seems to get better and better as it hurtles toward its two-part Deathly Hallows conclusion.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Ultimate Edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire recycles the same 1080p/VC-1 transfer minted for its 2007 Blu-ray release, but that shouldn't be a cause for concern. Roger Pratt's fog-draped photography dabbles in extremes -- recalling everything from the inviting, candlelit warmth of Sorcerer's Stone to the colorful, airy wonders of Chamber of Secrets to the stark, storm-swept shadow and light of Azkaban -- and Warner's faithful presentation clings to his vision. Contrast is strong and stable, primaries are restrained but pleasing, skintones are fairly lifelike and black levels are rich and inky on all but a handful of occasions. Dimly lit interiors and cloudy nights result in a number of somewhat murky sequences, but in each case, the original source seems to be the nefarious culprit. Likewise, crushed shadows and inherently limited delineation mask several backgrounds, but overall detail leaves a lasting impression. Nicely resolved closeups are brimming with crisp facial textures and fine threaded fabrics, edges are sharp and distinguished on the whole and the encode's clarity leaves few Triwizard stones unturned. The technical transfer is quite proficient as well. Artifacting and banding make a few fleeting appearances, but never get out of hand; faint ringing and minor smearing pop up here and there, but rarely interfere with the integrity of the image; and other digital anomalies are kept at bay. Warner's presentation falls short of top-tier glory, but fans of the Harry Potter films will still cheer when they see The Goblet of Fire in its high definition glory.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Goblet of Fire resurfaces on Blu-ray with a newly produced, carefully crafted DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Dialogue is smartly prioritized within Newell's perilous soundscape and lines are rarely lost in the chaos of the Triwizard challenges. Voices, whispers and screams alike, are clean and clear, effects rocket from speaker to speaker with shocking speed, dynamics imbue the heartiest scenes with arresting presence and Patrick Doyle's score penetrates the soundfield from all angles. LFE support is robust and riveting, granting dragon dogfights, underwater chases and climactic wizard duels with startling power. Rear speaker output is agile and assertive, immersing the listener in the film's invigorating Quidditch matches, windy hedge mazes, crowded school dances, howling graveyards and bustling school grounds. Directionality isn't flawless -- some scenes bombard the stage with activity rather than placing individual effects precisely where they belong -- but I suspect the film's original sound design is to blame, not Warner's lossless efforts. Still, I doubt The Goblet of Fire could sound better than it does here.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Now this is more like it. The Ultimate Edition of The Prisoner of Azkaban didn't live up to its moniker, but the Goblet of Fire UE comes a lot closer. While it doesn't offer a Director's Cut or extended version of the film either, it does offer a Picture-in-Picture experience and a more notable assortment of special features. As for the set itself, the outer box and some of its contents are slightly different than the Ultimate Edition releases of The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets -- the set is a bit taller, sports a two-tier, side-access lenticular slipcover, and exchanges a Digital Copy disc with an access code for a downloadable copy of the film -- but not so much that it doesn't complement their size and design. Inside though, it looks strikingly similar to its predecessors (pictured here and here). A hefty interior box houses three components: a tri-fold 3-disc digipak, a small envelope containing two collector's cards and yet another attractive 48-page hardcover book.

• In-Movie Experience (HD, 157 minutes): Formerly a 2007 HD DVD exclusive, this engaging Picture-in-Picture experience (inexplicably hosted by Weasley-twin actors James and Oliver Phelps) is loaded with cast and crew interviews, scene and story analyses with the filmmakers, behind-the-scenes footage, early visual effects tests, green-screen work and more. Gaps in the track prove to be a nuisance, sure, but fans of the film (not to mention the franchise) will be more than happy to overlook a few lengthy stretches of silence.
• Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4: Sound & Music (HD, 54 minutes): I'm a sucker for sound and music featurettes. Problem is, they're usually six or seven minutes long... max. Os you can imagine my joy while watching the utterly mesmerizing fourth installment of the eight-part "Creating the World of Harry Potter" documentary; a monster sound and music doc that digs into John Williams' score, its themes and melodies, the series' ever-evolving sound design, mixing techniques, key sound effects and more. Some may find the fourth "Creating the World" segment to be drier than its brethren, but I was entranced from beginning to end.
• Conversations with the Cast (HD, 31 minutes): Writer/director Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Pirate Radio) hosts this wonderfully candid interview with actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Far from the fan-service I expected, it's an informative, revealing chat that shouldn't be missed.
• Vintage TV Specials (SD, 154 minutes): Five clip-laden, EPK-esque television specials are included for good measure, "Behind the Magic," "Inside Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," "The Adventure Continues," "Some Animal Magic" and "Dark Matters, New Masters." Completists rejoice!
• Additional Scenes (HD, 10 minutes): Eight rather redundant, inconsequential deleted scenes will appeal to hardcore Potters, but leave casual fans yawning.
• Trailers and Ads (HD, 8 minutes): Two theatrical trailers, two book advertisements and an iPod app commercial round out Disc 2.
• Original DVD Special Features (SD, 110 minutes): There's actually a lot of decent content to be had on Disc 3, most of which also appears on the 2007 Blu-ray release of The Goblet of Fire. You'll find an amusing introduction to Fire's characters, a look back at the Harry Potter films, a practical effects featurette, a glimpse at the fun the cast had filming the Yule Ball sequence, a Ralph Fiennes tag-along and a number of interactive activities. Not bad for a disc of secondary features.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Some consider The Goblet of Fire a lesser Harry Potter film, but that only holds true when compared to the series best entries: The Prisoner of Azkaban and The Half-Blood Prince. Otherwise, The Goblet of Fire is every bit the essential chapter as its bleak brethren; one blessed with thrilling adventure, indispensable plot and character developments and a potent third act that finally sees the Dark Lord rear his ugly head. Warner's latest version of the film is worth owning as well, particularly if you're steadily compiling the studio's string of Ultimate Edition releases. It features a faithful video transfer, a rousing DTS-HD Master Audio track and a generous supplemental package (one that includes a Picture-in-Picture experience, the fourth installment of the "Creating the World of Harry Potter" mega-doc and several hours of additional special features). All told, Goblet's Ultimate Edition release is an impressive box set.