We went to the midnight showing of
Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire last night. I am still pretty tired as I wasn't able to drift off to sleep until probably after 3:30 AM.
This movie had to, by far, do the most condensing of the written book into it's 2 hours and 15 minutes. I missed quite a few things but understood the omission of most of them. One character that was sadly missed was Sirius Black. His '"face" is briefly seen in the Gryffindor common room fire but it is nowhere near enough exposure to develop his character into what it will need to be to reflect what a huge loss Harry suffers at the end of the next in the series.
This movie was much darker on every level. The William's score starts the action by playing a variation in minor keys as it dives right into Harry's first scar burning dream. Even some of what would be the most light hearted scenes ( dancing lessons with Mcgonegal ) have the characters with comparatively drab costumes and expressions when you compare it to Prisoner of Azkeban's classroom boggert lesson with Professor Lupin. The music is less light hearted and the colors through the entire film lean to blues and greys. Much missed are the vast pastoral views are the grounds but the scope and perspective of the World Cup scene is awesome.
Refreshing developments in character include those of Neville (I could have danced all night) Longbottom, Fred & George Weasley with and the introduction of Mad-eye (abducted auror) Moody, Cho (but can this Seeker fly) Chang, Lord (?)Voldemort. Speaking of the dark lord, I found his corporeal self just a bit too vulnerable. I knew how this story ended but there really was not a time when I felt he might conquer Harry Potter. When Potter steps out from around the gravestone (wand at the ready) and faces He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, there is never a doubt who is the stronger presence. The 14 year old boy s clearly the victor from that point on.
A big change in how Dumbeldore is portrayed. I would be surprised if we didn't find high blood pressure medication hidden somehwere in his office. He is surlier than before, no more warm and fuzzy head master.
Ravenboy's coworker, Jennifer Alexander was killed yesterday and her husband, Julio Bragado-Young, was critically injured in a multi-car pileup amid icy conditions on Route 3 in East Rutherford, NJ. They were returning to their residence in New York City after performing in a Nutcracker production in Williamsport, PA. Newspaper article here.
