It’s likely that I have an unusual perspective on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: I’ve never read any of the books, nor have I seen any of the previous film adaptations. Still, perhaps Harry Potter has become a ubiquitous cultural phenomenon, as I had no trouble slipping into the fourth film without having any experience of the previous events. The special effects, costuming, and background designs are wonderful, making the movie really look like it takes place in a magical world on the cusp of our own. For a film with so many quirky characters it was pleasing to see that none of the actors went over-the-top with their roles; strange as the denizens of Hogwarts might be, they never fall into outlandish theatrics. I was especially impressed with the actors who played the children in Goblet of Fire, no cloying child stars here! The plot may be somewhat standard fantasy fare, but the familiar tropes and iconic characters only help to draw you in. Unlike me, you may want to start at the beginning of the tale, but either way this is a delightful trip into J.K. Rowling’s sprawling epic.

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