Socal Mom at the Movies

SOCAL MOM AT THE MOVIES
	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
	© 2005 by Donna Schwartz Mills Courtesy of the Family-Content Syndicate

Studio: Warner Brothers
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of fantasy violence and frightening images.
Mom Rating: 5 out of 5
Kid Rating: 4 out of 5
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes, Miranda Richardson
Writer: Steve Kloves
Director: Mike Newell

This week, we're breaking our own rule about not reviewing movies rated PG-13. That's because the film in question is the latest adventure of teenage wizard Harry Potter.

As a parent, you will be relieved to know that the producers did not achieve this rating by "sexing up" the story, which was told in J.K. Rowling's fourth book. You won't find nudity or profanity here (other than a few mild British expletives like "bloody git" and "piss off," which doesn't mean quite the same thing in the U.K.)

But the movie does not shy away from any of the truly terrifying events portrayed in the book, beginning with the murder of an innocent estate caretaker who has the misfortune to stumble onto a meeting between Lord Voldemort and his followers. There is a rampage of sinister "Death Eaters," a violent confrontation with a dragon, the near drowning of some of the series' most beloved characters, and another death.

In other words, this is definitely NOT a film your youngest children will enjoy, and I would caution you to use your judgment before bringing your preteens, too. I warned my 9-year-old that the images would be frightening, more so than any of the previous Potter films, and let her know that my arm would be available for her to squeeze if she needed to do so. She did.

But she also got to see Harry and his friends in an exciting, thrilling tale of adventure, as Harry is selected to compete in the "Tri-Wizard Tournament," a kind of Olympic games for magical folk. As Hogwarts is hosting the event, we are introduced to wizarding students from other European countries, some of whom become romantic interests for our main characters. This time around, our 14-year-old heroes are not just grappling with the epic fight between good and evil but also with something even more frightening: dealing with the opposite sex. A lot of kids (and their parents) will be able to relate to Harry's agony as he gathers up the nerve to ask a pretty classmate to a dance. Scenes like this -- funny and sweet and very real -- remind us that despite his magical powers, Harry is just like us.

The stellar supporting cast of the previous films is back. Although we do not get to see as much of Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman and Robbie Coltrane as we did in the first three films, they are all such entertaining performers that they don't have to do too much. Gary Oldman is back for a moment (as his character, Sirius Black, is a fugitive). Much of the film's drama rests upon the newcomers: Miranda Richardson as a deliciously nasty reporter and Brendan Gleeson as Hogwarts' latest Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Alaster "Mad Eye" Moody. Gleeson delightfully steals every scene he's in -- he looks like he's having fun, and we do, too.

We don't get to see Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort until the final act of the film. He is wonderfully malevolent and provides its most frightening moments.

Screenwriter Steve Kloves has done a masterful job of distilling Rowling's 700+ page novel into a tight two and a half hours, which actually feels a lot shorter, thanks to veteran director Mike Newell's ("Four Weddings and a Funeral") tight pacing, which provides plenty of laughs inbetween the thrills.

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is the best film in the series so far, and a must-see for you and your older children.

Donna Schwartz Mills took film classes in college and spent 13 years working in the entertainment industry before "retiring" to marry a "non-pro" (Variety's term for anyone in any other business) and become a mom. Today, she's lucky if she can attend two "grown up" films per year -- but she feeds her movie habit by dragging her little girl to every family film that comes out, often on opening day. She says she can't wait for her daughter to turn 17.

Donna is owner of Family-Content.com, the home of free and low-cost content solutions for family friendly websites and ezines.

Comments

[Denise]

We took 5 "kids" with us to see it on Sunday, ages ranged from 7-22 and none of them were all that scared. E, the 7 year old climbed into mommy's lap during the second challenge of the tournament but that may well have been because the darn movie was LONG and not because she was really afraid. She tends to climb into someone's lap toward the end of every movie.

I thought for sure we'd have had a couple of scared kids. Nope.

Good film, we all enjoyed it and were glad we dealt with the crowded theater and saw it the first weekend.

[Mary]

My husband wanted to take our two-year-old to see this. I told him she was too young. I'm glad you agree!

It sounds like a great movie. I can't wait to see it (in 8 years or so...)