October 20, 2005. Copyright 2005, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, October 20, Graphic News:  On November 18 Òeverything is set to changeÓ. Or so we are promised by the makers of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the fourth film in the fantasy series. And, while the new movie about J.K. RowlingÕs apprentice wizard is bound to cover familiar territory -- the Dark Lord Voldemort is ready to rise again -- it could prove the most surprising yet.

Fans have enjoyed a Potter-fest this year. Even as some begin the countdown to Goblet of Fire, others have yet to catch up with the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, published in July. That may be one reason why the run-up to the movie seems to have been strangely quiet, and also why Goblet of Fire canÕt fail to remind us that the nightmarish tales of Harry Potter are a moviemakerÕs dream.

Goblet of Fire, which took 11 months to make, reunites many of the cast of the first three films under the direction of Mike Newell, who is best known for Four Weddings and A Funeral. Newell, the first Englishman to direct a Potter movie, has said he had wanted his film to focus on the dark side of adolescence until he realised that Alfonso Cuaron had done just this in Prisoner of Azkaban. Nevertheless, Newell has arguably the better material.

Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is on his way back to Hogwarts for his fourth year when he accompanies friend Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) to the Quidditch World Cup. A Dark Mark appears over the stadium, warning Harry that Lord VoldemortÕs (Ralph Fiennes) Death Eaters are gathering strength. When HarryÕs name appears in the goblet of fire as one of four competitors to take part in an inter-school wizardry tournament, the scene is set for the biggest challenge of his life.

Once again, Harry is the reluctant hero who must fight for his life as he takes on rivals from Beauxbatons Academy and the Durmstrang Institute in a competition that is anything but friendly. In the words of Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), ÒPeople die in this tournament.Ó Just as the young wizards come of age, the threat of mortality is more real than ever. The film includes a treat for Quidditch fans, and a frightening dragon-like creature that exhales evil.

While Hermione (Emma Watson) -- looking more like a prom queen than the precocious girl of the earlier films -- becomes infatuated with Viktor Krum, one of HarryÕs rivals in the tournament, Harry develops his own crush on Quidditch player Cho Chung (Katie Leung). Amid the raging hormones and fragile egos of the 14-year-old wizards, loyalties are not so straightforward. And on HarryÕs mind thereÕs not just romance, but mysterious dreams of two men plotting murder.

Owing to its scenes of violence, the censors have given Goblet of Fire a slightly higher rating than the earlier films. But for adults not captivated by the books, the filmÕs interest probably lies in HarryÕs ongoing journey across the bridge to the disturbing world of adulthood.
/ENDS

RELEASE DATES WORLDWIDE

Nov 06: UK -- World premiere, London
Nov 12 U.S. New York City premiere
Nov 16: Germany, Philippines, United Arab Emirates
Nov 17: Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Switzerland (German speaking region), Thailand
Nov 18: Austria, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, U.S.
Nov 23: Belgium, Netherlands
Nov 24: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal
Nov 25: Brazil, Colombia, Estonia, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Panama, Poland, Spain, Switzerland (Italian speaking region)
Nov 26: Japan
Nov 30: France, Switzerland (French speaking region)
Dec 01: Australia, Croatia, Hungary
Dec 02: Bulgaria, Lithuania, South Africa
Dec 08: Czech Republic, Israel, Slovakia, Slovenia
Dec 16: South Korea
Dec 21: Egypt
Dec 22: Hong Kong, Lebanon, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine
Dec 23: Cyprus, Romania
Apr 28, 2006: Republic of Macedonia