Sunday, November 20, 2005

Fantasy comes to life…

I maybe late on the review but I had to write about it. The Fourth Potter Movie surpasses the previous ones in terms of everything: The Picturisation, The Acting, The Direction, The Graphics, The Magic, The Sets, The Grandeur and last but not the least, The Emotions of Joy and Sorrow. Don’t compare it to the book please. A book should never be judged by its movie. A three hour film can never do justice to a 700 page book or for that matter any book. How can it? But this movie atleast has tried to capture the most of it and credit must go to the Director, Mike Newell.

The opening haunting sequence of the old man‘s death by the just surviving Dark Lord is a hint of things to come. It is going to get scarier as the next movies come in and I’m not sure how many little minds will get to see it in the theaters. In India they might, not sure abroad. Then the movie shifts base to the Quidditch world cup, oh it felt like being at the Olympics. Though I wish they had shown some moments of the match. Sigh! After cricket it’s the one sport I’ve become crazy about and sadly I’ll never get to see one live. (Drifting away slightly I’m feeling pretty bad that I’ll miss the ODI at Mumbai on 28th Nov, and that too out of my own choice!!)

The next moment I enjoyed was the entry of the other two schools to Hogwarts, the unicorn driven carriage and the magnificent ship that arose from underwater. The sight was marvelous as was the revealing of the Goblet and the trophy. Dumbledore declares the tournament open and when Harry’s name is thrown out of the goblet, you heart goes out to him when he is scorned by one and all and almost loses his best friend in Ron.

There are many moments in the film you take away with you. (Quite a few humorous ones, especially with Mad Eye Moody around.)

  • The one where Moody turns Malfoy (He does look quite handsome though;-) Excellent casting!) into a ferret.
  • The one in the study room where Snape keeps whacking Ron and Harry in their heads and they simply refuse to learn.
  • The time when Ron tries on his robes for the ball. Oh they really do take the cake! What was Mrs. Weasley thinking when she packed them off?
  • Harry’s reaction when he sees the blooming romance between Olympe Maxime and Hagrid.
  • Fred and George trying to get their names into the Goblet. The twins are a delight and I think they have some of the finest brains.
  • The Yule ball is a hit, Hermione looks stunning and we get a first glimpse of the tension between Ron and her.
  • You get a first look into Dumbledore's Pensieve as you tread along with Harry and Moody’s Mad eye drives you a little insane!

The tasks are well shot and the final task is scary and it turns even worst for Harry. I loved the portrayal of Voldemort’s transformation and Ralph Fiennes shines in his brief role. Looking forward to seeing him more, the portrayal of Voldemort could not have been more apt.

Snape is another favourite character in the series and I have been pretty impressed with Alan Rickman. He has little to do in this movie and I was a bit disappointed, but I’m sure as hell waiting for the Half-Blood Prince to hit the theatres, oh it is going to be one long wait!

I felt a tear roll down my eye when Cedric died, when his dad anguished in the loss of his dear son and when Dumbledore told his wards the truth about Cedric’s death.

The cast has done their parts well. Ron is my eternal favourite, the character in the book as well his portrayal by Rupert Grint. Emma Watson is her usual best and Radcliffe is maturing. I also thought the Patil twins looked beautiful and Cho-Chang is pretty as well. In all, the casting is pretty satisfactory.

But you enjoy the movie for Brendan Gleeson’s Mad Eye Moody and Ralph Fiennes’ Lord Voldemort. I think the casting director hit a bulls-eye!

I can’t wait for the next movies to come and if you are a Harry Potter fan don’t you dare miss out on this one. It is surely the best of the lot.

P.S: But my moment of the movie came from this little episode…

A couple of families had come along with their tiny tots. The interval post one-half hour into the movie came up and the youngest of those little ones,(she must be 4) said out aloud, 'Mumma is it now recess time?'

Her innocent question and relating it to school break so cutely just about made my evening. Though I’m sure she must have enjoyed this long Harry Lesson much more compared to her school ones.

Cute little wonders, I wonder what happens when they all grow up?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think Cedric's death was so weakly portrayed.
Patil sisters were ugly. Cho chang (katie Leung) was beautiful.
I think this one is the best movie, but the they are losing there innocence. Thats why first two movies were nice.
Ketan

Anonymous said...

I agree, the best movie though I ahve a few minor cribs.

But Ralph Fiennes is brilliant ... Im waiting to see more of Voldemort in the next edition !

Minal said...

@Ketan: Hmm well each will have their views:-) So no disputes:-))
About the innocence? Well aren't they growing up?

@Ash: I think we will all have our cribs since we are bigger fan of the books than their movies. But of al lthe action that takes place in the 4th book, the director has been able to do some justice.
And you bet I can't wait for Voldemort to spring back in action!

Anonymous said...

Excellent adaptation, though I still do like the Azkaban movie the most.

Old Dumbledore was way too animated in TGOF. The scene immediately after the Goblet throws up Harry's name where he manhandles Harry almost had me choking on my popcorn.

Also, I thought Krum wasn't as surly as he was in the book and the Veelas weren't as mesmerising. =)

Subramaniam Avinash said...

Nice name, Minal. Reminded me of a great book I just finished reading 'Piece of cake'. You should check it out. It's even better than Potter.

Minal said...

@Navneet: Many have cribbed about the fact that Dumbledore was too animated. Quite a drift from his serene calm personality.

I was not too impressed with Victor Krum either, surely he is better in the book and I'll stick with my imagination as to who ought to have been cast:-)

@The daily unusual: Hmm unusual name for a blogger:-) Btw thanks for the compliment:-) I'll surely look out for 'Piece of Cake':-)