Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire: Two-Disc Special Edition DVD Set Review

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Title: Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire: Two-Disc Special Edition

Region: One

Genre: Fantasy

Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Miranda Richardson, Warwick Davis, Clemence Poesy, Robert Pattinson, and Stanislav Ianevski

Writer: Steve Kloves

Based On The Novel By: J.K. Rowling

Director: Mike Newell

Feature length: 157 minutes

Extras: Additional Scenes, Conversations With The Cast, Preparing For The Yule Ball, Reflections On The Fourth Film, Set Top Games, Trailer, Previews, DVD-ROM Features: EA Game Demo & Hogwarts Timeline

Languages: English and Spanish Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Subtitles: English Closed Captions and English, French, and Spanish Language Subtitles

Packaging: Two-Disc Keep Case

Chapter Stops: 29

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Year of Theatrical Release: 2005/DVD Release: 2006

Theatrical Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures

Home Video Distributor: Warner Home Video

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Reviewer: Mark A. Rivera

The fourth installment in the live action adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series entitled “Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire” is arguably the best installment in the film series so far with a tight screenplay, genuine scares, action, and excitement that will appeal to adults as well as kids regardless whether the viewer is a child at heart or not. In some ways the film stands relatively well on it’s own though knowledge of the first three films certainly doesn’t hurt and those who have read the books will obviously have extra insight to add too. I have not read any of Rowling’s books, but at least from my point of view I can truthfully attest that you do not need to be familiar with the books in order to enjoy the film. Now in their fourth year at Hogwarts School for Magic and Wizardry, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron, (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) must endure another web of intrigue as Harry’s name mysteriously pops out as the unprecedented fourth contestant on the Triwizard Tournament, a magical sporting event that also serves as host for students from other renowned schools. The champions must undertake three tasks that will test their skills and character, but there is a darker purpose at work during the competition that will change things in the series forever.

As “He Who Must Not Be Named” Ralph Fiennes successfully steals the film in his brief, but potently villainously appearance that arguably counts as one of the best onscreen manifestations of pure evil to appear in decades. If they do not bring him back for future appearances in the remaining books that are to be dramatized on the big screen, it will be a huge loss for all so please keep him involved. Like the previous films, some of the best of the United Kingdom’s acting talent makes brief appearances that include both returning and new faces like Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Miranda Richardson, and Warwick Davis. Clemence Poesy, Robert Pattinson, and Stanislav Ianevski play the visiting champions while it’s interesting to see how the young stars of the film have developed over the years since the first film opened in 2001.

Warner Home Video is releasing Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire” in both a standard edition available in either anamorphic widescreen or pan and scan full frame and there is also a two-disc special edition that keeps the tradition of the previous DVD releases alive and well. The special edition presents “Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire” in a (2.35:1) widescreen aspect ratio that is enhanced for 16 by 9 televisions and preserves the manner in which the film was exhibited theatrically as close as possible for home video users. The picture quality is great with solid colors and detailed backgrounds that give great life to the exciting challenge sequences that take place in and around an arena with a dragon, underwater with magical creatures and a living maze that amplifies one’s fears while forcing one to encounter his or her darker self. The English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack is outstanding and seems to benefit either artificially or unofficially from an enhanced EX encoding. A Spanish Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack as well as English Closed Captions for the hearing impaired and English, French, and Spanish Language Subtitles is encoded onto the first disc as options too. French Language Subtitles are encoded onto the second disc, which also features a choice between English or French Language menu choices. The interactive menus on disc one details the Goblet of Fire with animated transitions to standard interactive still frame menus while the menus on disc two focus upon the outer campus at Hogwarts with choices of taking one into the arena to meet the dragon challenge, underwater for the lake challenge, into the labyrinth for the maze challenge and finally back to Hogwarts. All of the interactive menus are very well rendered and easy to navigate too.

Like the previous sets, the second DVD contains bonus materials for both adults and kids too. In terms of set top games, there are four interactive challenges recreating the Triwizard Tournament tasks and adding to it the “Graveyard and Back Challenge.” PC users with a DVD-ROM drive will also have access to interactive features that include a demo of the EA game, magical trading cards, and the Hogwarts Timeline. In terms of featurettes, there are featurettes that cover the ILM digital effects for “Harry Vs. The Horntail” (6:08), an in-depth look at the challenges of creating the second task with real diving taking place for Daniel Radcliffe, who I think spent approximately 48 production hours under the water for his live action sequences as well as the mix of computer generated effects that make the sequence complete (9:48). The Maze (6:48) and the psychological significance of the scene are also explored along with an excellent featurette with behind-the-scenes footage of Ralph Fiennes tweaking his character’s performance in production entitled “He Who Must Not Be Named” (11:08). Interviews with Clemence Poesy, Robert Pattinson, Stanislav Ianevski (11:08) as well as an extended interview with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, who also take questions from visiting fans (30:30) are also included along with a look back at the first four films thus far (14:04).

A reel of eight additional scenes not included in the final cut (10:08) as well as the teaser trailer (1:17) wrap up the extra value materials related directly to the film on disc two. The deleted scenes are relatively passable though one scene I think might have proven to be a spoiler of sorts for future films to come based on what people have told me about the most recent addition to the series on bookshelves now. There are also previews for two CGI animated features entitled “The Ant Bully” and “Happy Feet” that precede the main menu on disc two (2:49). As a whole “Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire” is the most streamlined film in the series thus far and it feels more like a complete story as well as pivotal turning moment in the series as a whole since this would technically be the middle chapter in Rowling’s seven book series. If you collected the previous special two-disc editions, than this is definitely the DVD you will want to get. “Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets: Two-Disc Special Edition” is available on DVD-Video now at retailers on and offline courtesy of Warner Home Video.

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