Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the darkest, most brooding film in the franchise yet, in keeping with the tradition set with the previous films. While Newell does balance out the darkness with the typical teen angst of young budding romances, unrequited loves and petty rivalries, those play second fiddle to the crux of the film’s storyline, which is very much a dark fantasy awash in dark curses, doom, and death.
Where the first entry in this series had some flaws with cheesy looking CGI, there are no major faults at all with the visual effects in Goblet of Fire, even given its 12-year-old vintage. This one is a stunning film to watch and a gripping narrative that is both intensely dramatic while also mindful of its family fantasy roots. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint return in their roles as Hermione and Ron, and further their characters’ impending romance with its early bumpy early teen start.
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The Video
As with the three films before it, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was shot in anamorphic Super 35 (3-perf) on 35mm Kodak Vision2 500T 5218, Vision 250D 5246, Vision 200T 5274, SFX 200T film stock with various Arri cameras. The film arrives on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in an HEVC 2160p (4K) encodement with HDR10 High Dynamic Range (HDR). It is without doubt the best looking of the first four films, mostly likely due to a combination of factors, from an increasing budget, better visual effects and slightly more recent vintage. The opening act with the Quidditch World Cup offers ample enough opportunity for the wide color gamut and broader contrast to shine with a brilliant display of colors and highlights in the form of fireworks, light shows and more. Straight through, this one is a winner with brilliant application of the HDR and organic, filmic look, and only the slightest hint of crush occasionally creeping up in some dark colors. That is offset by the nuance gained by things like a brilliant lamp peering out from the corner of a dark room or the bright orange glow of a fireplace glowing in a third of a room cloaked in inky shadows. Top notch.
The Audio
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire comes with an amazing immersive DTS:X mix from Warner. From the dynamics of the score and sound effects to the added spatial depth of the “X” channels, this one is marvelously balanced and places you in the middle of the action. Standout moments are when Harry opens the first clue from the Tri-Wizard tournament underwater, when he has the broomstick chase with the dragon, and when he has the wand duel with Voldemort.
The Supplements
The special features included are all port-overs from the previous DVD and Blu-ray releases.
- Digital HD UltraViolet
- Blu-ray with main feature and special features
- Bonus Blu-ray with special features
- In-Movie Experience (Blu-ray) – The Weasley twins will take you on a hilarious ride to see behind-the-scenes action.
- Creating the World of Harry Potter, Part 4: Sound and Music (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:54:12) – Part 4 of the 8-hour documentary features rare interviews with stars, composers, and sound designers that create the magical themes and powerful atmospheres of the films.
- Conversations with the Cast (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:30:36) – Host Richard Curtis sits with Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint for a warm conversation about making the Harry Potter
- Behind the Magic (1.78:1; 1080i/60; 00:48:51) – Presenter Ben Sheppard Journeys to Leavesden Studios and onto the set of the film to take a deeper look at the production, featuring intimate interviews with the cast and crew.
- Inside Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (1.33:1; SD; 00:43:48)– This television special journeys back through the making of the first three films and presents the new characters, creatures and challenges that lie ahead for Harry and his friends.
- The Adventure Continues (1.33:1; SD; 00:24:12) – A look into the world of The Goblet of Fire and the new characters, creatures, sets, and exciting action sequences that the fourth film brings to the big screen.
- Some Animal Magic (1.78:1; SD; 00:23:25) – Presenter Ben Shephard takes a closer look at the variety of wondrous animals, and their human handlers, that help make the world of Harry Potter a magical place.
- Dark Matters, New Masters (1.33:1; SD; 00:13:02) – An exciting preview of The Goblet of Fire, featuring interviews with the cast and crew.
- Deleted Scenes (2.40:1; 1080p/24; 00:09:58)
- Theatrical Trailers (1080p/24; 00:03:33)
The Final Assessment
Is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire the finest film in the franchise? Possibly. It shakes off some of the childishness, wipes away the minor deficiencies with its visual effects and looks ahead to the darker final two films. This 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray reissue from Warner with HDR and DTS:X audio remix is the finest of the first four and must own disc for fans of the Wizarding World.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is out now on 4K Ultra HD Combo pack from Warner Bros.
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