| Film and DVD Reviews FILM REVIEW
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire
By Patrick Ryan
It almost doesn’t matter what the critics say about Harry Potter. The
film is going make more money than most small countries.
This is the fourth film in the series and it’s business as usual.
Everything you expect from a Harry Potter film is here and that's part
of the problem.
This time around Harry and the gang have to deal with the return of the
evil Lord Voldemort, whose followers are threatening to ruin the Triwizard
Tournament.
There’s nothing particularly wrong with this film in fact it’s inspired
in some sections.
Brendan Gleeson’s performance as, new teacher Mad Eye Moody is the best
thing about this film.
The finale in which Harry finally faces off with Voldemort is also a
highlight.
There is so much going on though that it plays like a serious of mini
films, as opposed to one naturally flowing story.
The series was saved by the last chapter, The Prisoner of Azkaban, which
raised the bar and wasn’t afraid to show the dark side of the Potter universe.
The Goblet of Fire plays like a compromise between that darkness and
the cheeriness of the first two films.
There is much to enjoy here, it’s obviously a well-crafted film but you
just wish they had taken one or two chances instead of falling back into
the bad habit of playing it safe.
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon
and Ralph Fiennes.
Directed by Mike Newell.
Doctor Who Season One Box Set
DVD REVIEW
By Patrick Ryan
The return of Doctor Who last year was greeted with media fanfare. While
the praise was slightly over the top it couldn’t be denied that the series
exceeded all expectations and did the impossible.
It made Doctor Who cool again.
Released just in time to exploit the Christmas market this box set is
everything that a Whovian could want.
The series kicks off by introducing us to Billie Piper’s Rose and through
her we get to meet the time-travelling alien known only as The Doctor.
He bears more than a striking resemblance to the actor Christopher Eccleston.
That might be because Eccleston is indeed playing the role.
Moving swiftly on.
While the show is never less than entertaining there are major irks.
The emphasis seems to be on Rose, not The Doctor as the title would suggest.
At times he feels like a guest star in his own show. This wouldn’t necessarily
be the worst thing in the world if Rose didn’t come with an annoying mum
and bad-acting boyfriend in tow.
There is also the problem on nearly every episode being based on Earth.
This wouldn’t be so bad if the characters didn’t go to such lengths to talk
about their intergalactic adventures and then spend every minute in Cardiff.
The show makes a fairly pedestrian start but things pick up with the introduction
of John Barrowman’s Captain Jack.
By the end of the 13 episodes you will be hooked and the heartbreaking
climax will leave you gagging for the next series.
Starring: Christopher Eccleston and Billy Piper.
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