During the opening sequence of the fourth "Harry Potter" film, director Mike Newell makes his presence felt with a(n annoying) first person shaky-cam journey up a rickety staircase in a creepy old mansion. Atop the staircase, the camera action returns to normal, Newell fades back to the background, and we get the first hint of what's to come in the film: Lord Valdemort has taken physical form and his on his way back.

Shortly thereafter, Harry wakes up from his dream. What we've seen before his been a vision that came to Harry in his sleep, a dream warning him of what's to come. Then Harry's shaken out of bed, and the action turns to follow the Quidditch World Cup, which is rudely interupted by some evil darksided people. Then we head back to Hogwarts, where another type of tournament begins, pitting Harry against three young adult wizards in something called the Tri-Wizard Tournament. In a Festivus-like engagement of feats of wizarding strength, Harry and his rivals fight dragons, fend off creepy mermaids and then finally traverse a wicked maze until the plot wraps itself into the foreshadowed Valdemort confrontation, in which we see the big baddie transform from a creepy evil fetus into a gilled Ralph Fiennes.

"Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" is not appropriate for young children. As Harry, Hermoine and Ron mature and begin to take an interest in the opposite sex, other aspects of the film follow suit, placing Harry in emotionally complex situations that 7 year old Suzie isn't ready for. So I found myself sneaking off to see "Harry Potter 4" late at night, after the kids were asleep, because while I started watching the series with my kid, I'm now sucked in.

The performances in all of the "Harry Potter" films have been excellent, and the fourth installment is no exception. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have great chemistry together, and feel very real in their roles. Brilliant casting is a hallmark of the series, with a key speciality being signing on typecast actors and having some play towards type and others against type so as to confuse the audience as far as who is good and who is evil. Alan Rickman? That son of a bitch is always evil, right? Not so far, but the jury's still out. Gary Oldman? He's a sinister bastard, isn't he? Fooled ya, not in the Potter-verse. Jason Isaacs? The devil incarnate? Not quite, but there's a major development on that one in "Goblet Of Fire." Exquiste use of these actors keeps the tension tight.

Ultimately, "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" is a table setter of a film, putting the pieces in place for the ultimate showdown between Harry and his dark nemesis. It leaves you wanting more, wanting to see Harry battle Voldemort, though deep down you know he isn't ready for it. So in a way, the film serves its purpose but yet at the same time cannot be said to be wholly fulfilling. A high quality entry in the series nonetheless, and I can't wait to see the fifth one.

4/5 Stars.

--Chris Kivlehan