Harry Potter 4 - the best HP movie yet!!

HP is finally here.. and boy is it good!!

First of all, a note of caution for muggles - especially for those who have no ideas about the characters / background info / theories built into HP.. you dont stand a chance with this movie.. there is no attempt to introduce/familiarise the regular cast in this movie.. even the openinig credits have been done away with.. we see a blob with the movie name and we join he action right away.. Its upto the viewer to come prepared for the movie.. If you still haven't started reading HP.. no point in really seeing this movie :)

I always thought part 4 was best suited for onscreen adaptation and the movie doesn't disappoint.. The TriWizard Tournament with its tough tasks, Harry growing up and adolescent issues with girls and of course the parallel rise to power of Lord voldermot .. It all unfolds with rapid pace and the viewer is enthralled from the word "go"..

The screenplay writers (Steve Kloves & co) have impressed in shrinking this huge pillow of a book to its current 2.5 hours version.. of course a lot of lighter moments which add to the charm ut not to the plot, have been removed. Also suffering is "THe Quidditch World Cup" which really looks grandeously fabulous but is restricted to just a couple of minutes of on-screen time..

Also finally a director (Mike Newell) has restricted himself from religiously following the book.. he has taken some liberties (like the intro scenes of the other school students) most of which work out.. but some of them really miss out (like the always shouting Dumbledore - huh? y on earth would a calm old guy keep shouting?)..

I will refrain from telling the story.. as we all know what this movie is all about.. being a big budget production.. there are no problems with the graphics here.. the performances are also good.. the music score is kind of irritating at the beginning (the "Krum" theme).. but then as we near the end.. it becomes flawlessly suited to the situation..

All in all, this is as good as a HP movie can get.. but I think part 5 is going to suffer in this retrospect.. it is to be made on an already weak book.. also the cast is getting older.. u can see it on the screen.. they are outgrowing their screen ages.. but then.. we can always keep hoping.. cant we??!!

Score : 74