Toon Talk - From the Other Side: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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(c) Warner Bros.
The special effects in the first two Potters were adequate at best, cheesy at worst; aside from a Wile E. Coyote of a werewolf, Azkaban delivered such nifty effects as a horde of spooky specters and a winged eagle/horse hybrid (resulting in the series’ first visual effects Oscar nomination). This time the standouts are a bat-like fire-breathing dragon, a sailing ship that rises, submarine-like, from the sea, and the intense transformation of a fetus-like imp into Voldemort - the scene that surely netted Goblet the series’ first PG-13 rating.
Of course, a large portion of the over-all shortcomings of the Harry Potter films rests on the source materials. As each successive chapter is unfurled, creator Rowling continues to pile on more characters, more subplots, more twists and turns, which in itself is not necessarily a problem - except that the pay-off (which, at this point, better be one heck of a doozy) is still three full installments away. How much higher is Rowling going to build this massive house of cards without it collapsing under its own weight? Jeez, it only took Tolkien three novels for his magnum opus …
Toon Talk Rating: C-
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In this ‘Toon Talk’ feature, I’ll briefly highlight a recommended film or DVD, outside of the Disney universe, of similar interest to the main subject. Bright British Boys While they are more Billy Elliot then Harry Potter, two recent releases feature a pair of performances by young UK lads that will also catch your attention: Jack McElhone plays the title role in Dear Frankie (2005, Miramax), a bittersweet tale of a deaf boy who yearns to connect with his sea-faring father. Co-starring Emily Mortimer (Disney’s The Kid) and Gerard Butler (Reign of Fire), directed by Shona Auerbach. Millions (2005, Fox Searchlight) stars Alex Etel as a boy whose escape into a fantasy world populated by his beloved saints is interrupted by a duffel bag filled with cash that falls from the sky. Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting). |
Coming Soon in Toon Talk:
- Just in time for Christmas, The Polar Express, directed by Who Framed Roger Rabbit’s Robert Zemeckis, returns in IMAX 3-D (November 23rd).
- December 6th brings wave 5 of the Walt Disney Treasures series, with Disney Rarities: Celebrated Shorts, Legendary Heroes: Elfego Baca and Swamp Fox, The Adventures of Spin and Marty and The Chronological Donald, Volume 2.
- C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy classic finally comes to the big screen with The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (December 9th).
And Coming Soon from Buena Vista Home Video:
- More TV series sets become available November 22nd, with the third seasons of The Golden Girls and Home Improvement, plus the best of season one of Extreme Make-Over: Home Edition.
- Celebrate Kermit the Frog’s 50th anniversary with four of his films: The Muppet Movie, The Great Muppet Caper, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island (November 29th).
- Sky High flies onto DVD November 29th, along with several television titles including the complete mini-series Empire, the first season of Project Runway and Their Eyes Were Watching God, starring Halle Berry in her Emmy-nominated role.
- Two Disney Channel favorites are coming to DVD on December 6th: The Proud Family Movie and That’s So Raven: Raven’s House Party. Plus: volume one of season two of the animated cult hit, Gargoyles and volumes four and five of Power Rangers S.P.D.
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-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logo by William C Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics
Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...
Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.
The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted November 18, 2005