Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Newell, 2005)

Harry Potter has it rough. The wizard-teen deals with friends, girl troubles, mean teachers, hs parents' murder and -- on top of all of this -- the most powerful dark wizard of all time is out to kill him. It's tough being the Boy Who Lived.

With all this crazy magic crap flying about, it's easy to make a muddled, thinly-spread film. We've seen it happen with "The Sorcerer's Stone" and "The Chamber of Secrets." However, the past two Potter films, "The Prisoner of Azkaban" and "The Goblet of Fire," have succeeded fantastically where the previous flicks have failed. Clear, concise and entertaining, "Goblet" doesn't mess around. It sticks to the main plot and doesn't futz around with house elves or Quidditch matches.

In "Goblet of Fire," Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) is somehow entered in the Tri-Wizard Tournament, an event he should be barred from because of his young age. But, lo and behold, the Goblet of Fire spits out Harry's name and the young wizard finds himself embroiled in a dangerous, multi-school competition of brains, brawn and magic.

"Goblet," like 2004's "Prisoner of Azkaban," makes for a fun, imaginative movie. The tournament challenges are a blast to watch (they include a dragon fight and an underwater chase), and the climax of the film will have Potter-geeks in tears -- Ralph Fiennes is brilliant as Dark Lord Voldemort.

Despite some laughable acting moments from the teen actors (they're few and far between), "Goblet" manages to be a solid watch, possibly the best Potter film yet. It's faithful without being confusing and dramatic without being over-the-top.

The Final Verdict: 8/10