Mugglecom's Expert Movie Reviewer Joaye

Harry Potter and the Goble of Fire

Many loyal Harry Potter fans were disappointed in the last installment of the movie adaptation of their beloved novel. The most recent version was even more of a tragedy than the previous films as it betrayed the books far further than any earlier version.

The first noticeable inconsistency was that Harry Potter, boy wizard, had been turned from a gangly youngster unloved by his aunt and uncle to a three foot tall, large footed, character named Frodo. Ron was translated to a similar creature, yet still with his loyalty and naivety, renamed Sam. The only consistency in the name change was that the number of letters in the name was the same. Professor Albus Dumbledore was reincarnated as a "White Wizard" called Gandalf; perhaps a jump ahead to book seven representing the theories that Dumbledore did not die or will come back. That puts this tale completely out of order of the Harry Potter traditionalists who were seeking an accurate screen representation.

Hermione was completely cut from the film and the Wesley twins took a more front role, though their names were also changed: to Merry and Pip. Though Ron's demeanor was accurate he was completely out of character as he was shown to be bold when engaged in combat with a giant spider Aragog. Voldemort was represented as a burning eye who could see Harry/Frodo actions when he wore a invisibility ring; the cloak element was eliminated. The story was dynamic and captivating but did not follow the traditional Harry Potter books at all, nor did it correspond with the trend seen in the written version as Harry never really faced his arch enemy. See this movie, it's fantastic, but don't expect an accurate portrayal of the book. Be fair, is the movie ever as good as the book?