I can't imagine anything I say here can change a reader's mind one way or the other. We are on the fourth adaptation of the series; are there any fence-sitters anymore? You’re either under the spell or you have no soul. That’s your choice, not mine.

Not that it matters. Goblet of Fire is an excellent and nearly flawless movie regardless of being part of a series. It behooves me to tell you to see Goblet of Fire. Yes, I'm behooving over here, so pay attention!

This book was when the entire series really opened the world of magic and at the same time provided emotional heft with the return of the Dark Lord, Lord Voldemort, who is played by Ralph Feinnes though you wouldn’t know it with all the makeup. The dude is evil, we sure get that, even if he does fall into the “keep the bad guy talking” ego trap.

	Ron was brilliant in the Hogwarts adaptation of Interview With the Vampire.

Director Mike Newell figures you know what’s going on, so Goblet of Fire wastes no time with exposition, skipping past the obligatory comedic summer at the Dursleys and heading straight for the impressive Quidditch World Cup. Those witching folk put on a good show, even if the game absolutely makes no sense. (Yeah, I said it, what of it?)

At two hours and thirty minutes long and then some, normally one would expect time to spread out and not just rush from important scene to important scene, unless you’ve read the book. Considering the book was like a bazillion pages long, that was a real concern. For the most part, all of the major bits are included, and yet Goblet of Fire takes time to breathe and fit in plenty of seemingly non-essential story lines and all kinds of humor. Really, really, funny stuff. The kind where I need to see it again in a quiet theater to hear dialogue I missed because of the crowd laughing.

As for our heroes, the darling threesome remains unchanged for the most part, aside from a bit of rivalry and unsaid feelings. Oh, wait, they've done that every movie already. At least when they make up it's a teensy more grown-up. Ain't nothing - even Voldemort - more scary than puberty, am I right?

Otherwise, Harry is starting to realize his life will never be normal though he fights it, Hermione gets one year nearer official babe status and Ron gets more awkward.

Yeah, yeah, enough with the Hermione references. I know. Good thing we get the Beauxbatons this year, eh? After all, they’re French, and thus fair game, right? Babe city, all of ‘em. Topping them all, however, is Cho Chang, a cutie who is Asian and then talks with an English accent. That knocked me out of my chair. Dang, I need help.

As if all the high school girls in front of me didn’t go “oh my” when Cedric turns up for the first time. I know they did, I heard them. Then again, they're his age, so I'll shut up.

	Yes, that is my wand and it is very happy to see you.

The most substantial difference in Potter Number Four was in the personalities of the characters. The Big Three show more, of course, but more important we get personality popping from their classmates and teachers like never seen before. They give the film weight, it feels like there's more at stake.

Look at the cast of names: Brendan Gleeson, Ralph Feinnes, Jason Isaacs, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman, Gary Oldman, Miranda Richardson, all rolling off the tongue in supporting roles.

Even so, the standouts are Ron’s older twin brothers, Fred and George Weasley, who are a hoot, no more so than when Professor McGonagall is instructing the students on dancing for the Yule Ball.

Speaking of, Harry and Ron forget the first rule of taking a date to a party of any kind: Don’t sit on the sidelines and sulk. It doesn’t matter if you can dance. Get up and boogy badly and women couldn’t care less so long as you’re trying and having a good time, which in turn leads to the girls having a good time. I learned this at my first fraternity party in college, and never forget the lesson. Then dropped out of the fraternity and never went to another party, and was never asked to a sorority party. (Altogether now, “Awwwww.” Bugger.)

For fans of the books, let's shun the non-readers (stupidheads) and talk spoilers.

Mad-Eye Moody is an even better character in the movie than the written word. He works on every level, and you kind of forget what’s going to happen with him eventually.

The end with Voldemort, the Death Eaters and Cedric doesn’t pull any punches. I wasn’t sure how to picture the meeting of the wands, and on screen that comes to life where you think, “yes, that must be how it would look.”

The special effects are brilliant. Not once did I think, “that dragon isn’t real.” Or, “Ron’s hair can’t do that on its own, can it?”

Moaning Myrtle steals the scene where Harry figures out the egg in the bath. Saucy minx, that ghost is.

Draco is nearly absent, save for being the foil of Moody’s temper. He's not even missed, because there's plenty else to torment Harry this year.

That being said, knowing the events of Book Six, you kind of see where everything is starting to lead, and it makes me sad. And excited. Let's get on with the "Order of the Phoenix" and "Half-Blood Prince," eh?

By the way, if you’re looking for something at the end of the credits, they didn’t do it this time.

The verdict: