by Jules Brenner

Created on: January 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

The overriding principle in adapting this series to the screen has obviously
been the demand to "get everything in" (from the book's 734 pages). And,
while this approach might not make for the best structured movie, it's an
insurance policy against disappointing the fan base. But, the only thing
that seems to suffer is the sudden introduction of characters with no

preparation, and disappear with scant explanation.

The screenwriter and director (Mike Newell and Steve Kloves, respectively)
are, of course, depending on what the viewer has read in the novels, a
shortcut that would, in a less universally read work, portend disastrous
consequences for the movie. Here, with the worldly readership numbers so
vast and the intensity of the following, the calculation works despite
an awkward cut or disappearing act here or there. Nothing's going to
"dispell" this adaptation's boxoffice magic.

There are many things, besides familiarity with the creations of author J.K.
Rowlings and the previous film chapters ("The Prisoner of Azkaban," e.g.), to ensure success. Visionary imagery, fanciful concepts, colorful characters both evil and
virtuous, brilliant no-cost-too-great digital effects, and the bracing pace
of the contest against evil are all quite enough by themselves to overpower
a little temporary confusion for the uninitiate.

One pleasure of the film version comes from seeing how the Hollywood artists
and craftspeople give the powerhouse story three dimensional life and shape
and this installment doesn't disappoint.

Much revolves around contests in this series and, in this 4th installment,
Albus Dumbledore (a very fine Michael Gambon) starts us off with his
announcement that Hogwarts will host the interschool Triwizard Tournament in
a time-honored tradition. The competition consists of surviving three
life-threatening tasks. The first place winner gets the Triwizard Cup and
the honors that go with it.

The contestants from the three major wizarding schools are to be chosen by no
less than the Goblet of Fire, into which all who would compete deposit their
names. Enter the girls of the Beauxbatons Academy in their classy caped
dresses, and the brooding, athletic boys of Durmstrang Institute. But,
there's an age limit, and Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and
Hermione (Emma Watson) aren't qualified. Which comes as a relief to the
angst-filled Harry who is being distracted by a whole different problem.

Why, then, during the candle-lit ceremony in which the athletic Viktor Krum
of Durmstrang (Stanislav

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