Our family went to the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Let me say that it kept us all awake until we left for home at 2:40am. It warrants a PG13 rating because it could be scary for younger children. It certainly begins to take on the adolescent issues the characters are moving in to. The film moves quickly, is extravagant in its details, is witty and humorous, all while taking on some darker and more difficult themes, like the death of a student.
Favorite parts? Too many, and I'll go see it again. It will be worth it.
So I write this endorsement.
As a Christian, one of the things I look for in books and films and music is integrity -not piety. In this film as in the others and the books as well, there is integrity. Good is never confused with evil. The children, though wizards and witches, struggle with doing what is right and good. Their values are not up for grabs, though they may fail from time to time. Rowling continues to hold up friendship, sacrifice, thinking of others, kindness, goodness and the like. Dumbledore has the thoughtful remark that the difficult choice to be made will be between what is right and what is easy. I know so many Christians who espouse these virtues but right below the surface they are selfish, judgmental, stingy, and down right unkind to people who are not like them, who do not believe as they do. In this light, which is Christian and which is not?
There are more laughs in this movie than the others, the humor is more sophisticated. It's worth a ride on a Firebolt even at midnight.
Nice review, Craig. I thoroughly enjoy the Harry Potter series, and as a Christian, I take much the same approach that you do. I've never understood those who run out and condemn these movies just because of the underlying element of magic.
Posted by: Rick Moore | November 18, 2005 at 02:41 PM
Craig:
Thanks for the review. Now go to sleep!
Mark Daniels
Posted by: Mark Daniels | November 18, 2005 at 01:51 PM