Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
—1.Overview (multimedia)
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters
—8. Production Notes (pdf)
—9. Spiritual Connections
—10. Presentation Downloads
Harry Potter is older, grittier, darker, more magical—and all of that makes the story more life like. We live in a gritty, sometimes dark world where miracles happen everyday but we only notice when they’re BIG and in our faces. The development of Harry and his friends continues in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire provides an adventure for all ages, that allows the characters to symbolize ideals bigger than themselves. Readers beware: spoilers abound.
We get to enjoy a bit of sports entertainment as Harry (Radcliffe), Ron (Grint), and Hermione (Watson) visit the Quidditch World Cup, and set up some of the foreboding that will follow them through this film (and the future installments of the series.) Thankfully, the growing fear that accompanies Harry’s nightmares is more grown-up, as he battles adolescent interactions with enemies and new loves throughout the film. The critics who fear that the story has gotten too mature for its readers seem focused on the ‘scare’ value, but I see the ‘hope’ factor as equally mature. If Harry remained a quaint, docile little boy battling a ridiculously caricatured Voldemort (played wonderfully by Fiennes), it would only reinforce the stagnation of our faith in hope.
Instead, Harry’s battles are magical representations of those we face as pre-adults and adults. The three challenges of Triwizard Tournament are excellent, figurative depictions of hurdles that must be crossed to enter mature faith. The first challenge, the dragon, highlights the fears that Harry feels in his inadequacy and limitations. We are often forced into situations where we feel completely unprepared and lacking in skill. We must rely on God’s guidance and empowerment to overcome these obstacles, just as Harry applies the wisdom of his friends and mentors to use his skill in flight. Still more, his steady determination and unwillingness to cave in the face of impending doom play important roles in his success in the first task.
Having completed the first, Harry feels stretched to maximum capacity but finds himself facing the submerged mission, rescuing that which is important to him. Unlike his fellow competitors, Harry sees all of the ‘imprisoned’ treasures as valuable in their humanity, breaking the rule of the merpeople, and sacrificing (at least momentarily) his own life. Having taken up the challenge to which he feels completely unworthy, Harry has next sublimated his own needs and desires for the greater good.
Finally, Harry once again faces up to his past. And here lies the greatest challenge of all, not the maze, but the recognition that his own history may be his undoing. In no way is Harry’s past a fault of his own, but he recognizes that he has to fight off his own demons before he can move forward (literally.) In doing so, his own example of sacrifice is mirrored by one of his competitors, showing that not only has Harry achieved a place of learning or growth, but he has passed it along as well.
To debase the Harry Potter series for its scary screen moments or for its use of magic is to minimize the realistic battle of evil wills and relentless hope. Watching the news or reading the paper, we’re faced with more realism than one could possibly hope to endure, and hope becomes a fleeting thing. But when we can recognize the parables within the realms of wonder and magic, even the most skeptic experiences a bit of optimism.
—Overview
—Reviews and Blogs
—2. Overview Basic (dial up speed)
—3. Reviews and Blogs
—4. Cast and Crew
—5. Photo Pages
—6. Trailers, Clips, DVDs, Books, Soundtrack
—7. Posters
—8. Production Notes (pdf)
—9. Spiritual Connections
—10. Presentation Downloads
Harry Potter is older, grittier, darker, more magical—and all of that makes the story more life like. We live in a gritty, sometimes dark world where miracles happen everyday but we only notice when they’re BIG and in our faces. The development of Harry and his friends continues in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire provides an adventure for all ages, that allows the characters to symbolize ideals bigger than themselves. Readers beware: spoilers abound.We get to enjoy a bit of sports entertainment as Harry (Radcliffe), Ron (Grint), and Hermione (Watson) visit the Quidditch World Cup, and set up some of the foreboding that will follow them through this film (and the future installments of the series.) Thankfully, the growing fear that accompanies Harry’s nightmares is more grown-up, as he battles adolescent interactions with enemies and new loves throughout the film. The critics who fear that the story has gotten too mature for its readers seem focused on the ‘scare’ value, but I see the ‘hope’ factor as equally mature. If Harry remained a quaint, docile little boy battling a ridiculously caricatured Voldemort (played wonderfully by Fiennes), it would only reinforce the stagnation of our faith in hope.
Instead, Harry’s battles are magical representations of those we face as pre-adults and adults. The three challenges of Triwizard Tournament are excellent, figurative depictions of hurdles that must be crossed to enter mature faith. The first challenge, the dragon, highlights the fears that Harry feels in his inadequacy and limitations. We are often forced into situations where we feel completely unprepared and lacking in skill. We must rely on God’s guidance and empowerment to overcome these obstacles, just as Harry applies the wisdom of his friends and mentors to use his skill in flight. Still more, his steady determination and unwillingness to cave in the face of impending doom play important roles in his success in the first task.Having completed the first, Harry feels stretched to maximum capacity but finds himself facing the submerged mission, rescuing that which is important to him. Unlike his fellow competitors, Harry sees all of the ‘imprisoned’ treasures as valuable in their humanity, breaking the rule of the merpeople, and sacrificing (at least momentarily) his own life. Having taken up the challenge to which he feels completely unworthy, Harry has next sublimated his own needs and desires for the greater good.
Finally, Harry once again faces up to his past. And here lies the greatest challenge of all, not the maze, but the recognition that his own history may be his undoing. In no way is Harry’s past a fault of his own, but he recognizes that he has to fight off his own demons before he can move forward (literally.) In doing so, his own example of sacrifice is mirrored by one of his competitors, showing that not only has Harry achieved a place of learning or growth, but he has passed it along as well.To debase the Harry Potter series for its scary screen moments or for its use of magic is to minimize the realistic battle of evil wills and relentless hope. Watching the news or reading the paper, we’re faced with more realism than one could possibly hope to endure, and hope becomes a fleeting thing. But when we can recognize the parables within the realms of wonder and magic, even the most skeptic experiences a bit of optimism.
—Overview
—Reviews and Blogs
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