[Professor S]

I have never read a Harry Potter book, but Ihave seen all of the movies, and Goblet of Fire is BY FAR the best of the series.

Chris Columbus was far too loyal to the books, and it showed by a lack of coherency and this character development in his first 2 movies. The third movie was an improvement as you began to see a character arch developing for Potter and his mates and the themes were darker but yet suitable for children. I still didn't really like it as the movie drug on in parts and seemed to be afflicted with the same disjointed feeling of the first two.

Goblet is just a flat out good movie. I'll even say that it is the Empire Strikes Back of the Harry Potter movies (in fact, the similarities are astounding). Harry is beginning to feel more of the weight of his destiny, seeing that his legend may be his death, while trying to handle the awkwardness that comes with adolescence regardless of magical abilities.

I thought the acting was quite good for the most part, especially Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort and the actor who played Moody.

Mostly I'm appreciating the darker turn that the series is taking that began with Prisoner of Azkaban. Moody is obviously scarred from battles with Death Eaters, Voldemort is back and the tide seems to be turning to the "dark side". Each movie seems to get more intense and the sense of impending drama and doom is palpable.

Long story short, this is the first Potter movie that made me eager to know what was going to happen next.