Harry Potter and IMAX: A Breathtaking Combination

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, a movie based on J.K. Rowling’s fourth book in the Harry Potter series is by far the most impressive of the four. The movie, released in the US on Thursday, November 12 was also released in some IMAX theaters including the Comcast IMAX theater in the Jordan’s Furniture stores in Reading and Natick Massachusetts. Despite the long drive, viewing this movie at an IMAX theater is well worth it. Though the movie is still in 2D, the large screen and sound effects that are unique to an IMAX theater pull the viewer into this action packed film. In his fourth year at Hogwarts, Harry finds himself one of four champions in the “Tri-Wizard Tournament”, a very honorable yet dangerous task. The tournament consists of three tasks, which Harry much complete to win. Little does he know there’s something waiting for him at the end of the third task, something evil and unexpected. As Dumbledore plainly states, “Difficult times lie ahead, Harry.” Along with this serious plot; viewers will find themselves rolling with laughter in their seats more than a few times. The comic relief was very tastefully done and the actors were very suitable for their parts. Compared to the book, the plot of The Goblet of Fire is somewhat thin. Despite its tow and a half hour length, it still lacks in character development, and viewers who have not read the book might be confused with the story line. However, the visual effects make it well worth seeing and it far outshines the previous three movies. The target audience for this movie was obviously much older than the past movies, giving the director much more freedom to make this an intense, emotionally powerful, moving film.