Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

My wife and I just returned from watching a matinee showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. We really, really, really liked it.

I liked it primarily because it is my favorite book in the series so far. I liked it because there was a wonderful mix of humor, pathos, and action. The "asking someone to the dance" sequence, though a bit long, is precious.

I also liked the essential message of the book/movie. Each of the Harry Potter books seems to have a central message, which is geared towards character development. For example, in the second book/movie, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, there is the line from Dumbledore to Harry, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (page 333) No matter how gifted we are, (or are not), what defines us, shows us who we really are, are our choices.

In this movie/book, there is another wise saying from Dumbledore, this time at a memorial service to Cedric: "Remember Cedric. Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy..." Several times in the book/movie, Harry faces a choice. Does he press forward to win fame and recognition, or does he slow down, and do the right thing, and thereby almost certainly forfeiting fame and glory? Tough choices for a fourteen year old. Tough choices for any of us!

See the movie. You will like it.