How does Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire measure up to the other films in the series?
Most critics say it’s either the best or second-best, praising director Mike Newell for adding richness and depth to such mainstream entertainment. But they also agree that, as Harry grows up, the films are dealing with problems that require more mature sensibilities. Thus, Goblet of Fire earns its PG-13 rating, with some truly frightening sequences. But what about the magic, that ever controversial element of Rowling’s narrative? Yes, the series continues to involve characters with magical powers who must learn to use their powers responsibly and cleverly. In the grand and age-old tradition of fairy tales, Rowling’s stories employ the idea of magic in a whimsical, inventive way. They use magic as a metaphor for the ways people exercise power over one another in a dangerous world. But magic in this series is also a way of talking about talent, identity, ingenuity, artistry, technology, and virtue. While real-world witchcraft is certainly a dangerous and deceptive practice, more and mor
