Everybody's a critic: 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'

Four stars (out of four)

Movies based on books are in a funny genre. No matter how closely they follow the story, how strong the characters are, how beautiful the cinematography, not everyone will be pleased.

Go see "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and you'll find that it doesn't matter who didn't make the final cut, or how closely the book is followed. What does matter is the way this movie makes you feel. It's like opening the book again and reliving all the magic, action and ideas that made you love Harry Potter in the first place.

By the way, the best part of the movie might get overlooked. In the first 15 minutes, Daniel Radcliffe delivers Harry's best line in any of the HP movies so far. Yes, Daniel, we love magic, too ... Abso-bloody-lutely.

~ Helen Gibbar

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Three stars (out of four)

For Harry Potter fans, this film is definitely the most mature and dramatic of the series. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" takes the well-known series to a PG-13 rating, simply because the children themselves are growing up. The effects are much more advanced and detailed, and the young sorcerers, now 14 years old in the story, are blushing at the idea of dating.

The film is extremely beautiful. One thing that this series of films has mastered is the art of defying the obvious. It introduced dragons, magicians from other lands, an underground world's fair and mermaids -- everything a true fantasy fan will love.

~ Meghan Holcomb

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Three stars (out of four)

I must start by admitting that I am a Harry Potter fan. I have read all the books and seen the other movies.

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is my favorite book. Though the movie was good, the book was better, as is usually the case. Though it is my favorite Potter book, this was not my favorite Potter movie.

The movie is action-filled and has its share of terror and gore. The special effects are awesome, especially the underwater scenes.

I loved the teenage emotions portrayed by the characters as they become more aware of the opposite sex.

If you enjoyed the other Hogwarts movies, you'll love this one too.

~ Leslie Wright-Essner