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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition
Release Date: Available now
Studio: Warner Home Video
Packaging/Materials: Three-disc Digipak and extras in a heavy cardboard case
Year: 2005
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 2:37:00
MSRP: $49.99
THE FEATURE
SPECIAL FEATURES
Video
1080p high definition 16x9 2.40:1
Standard and high definition
Audio
DTS-HD Master Audio: English 5.1 / Dolby Digital: French (dubbed in Quebec) 5.1, French 5.1, German 5.1, Italian 5.1, Castellano 5.1, Dutch 5.1, Spanish 5.1, Portuguese 5.1, Catalan 5.1, Belgian Dutch 5.1
Variable
Subtitles
English SDH, French, German SDH, Italian SDH, Castellano, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese
Same
Note: This review includes content from my review of the "Harry Potter Limited Edition Collection: Years 1-5" on Blu-ray.
The Feature: 2.5/5
Adapting novels that have progressively increased in physical size and narrative complexity can't be easy, but of the six films "Goblet of Fire" feels the most scattershot. Surprising, given the installment's rather unidirectional plot revolving around the Triwizard Tournament. For at least a good third of the film, scenes feel like mere set pieces with the barest connective tissue between them. For those familiar with the novel the blanks can be adequately filled, but for those new to the story it likely proves hard to follow or at least disorienting. Of the six films I would say "Goblet of Fire" is the weakest for its initial lack of cohesiveness and failure to really bring anything new to the table, despite some rather significant developments in the overall story arc.
Unlike the previous Ultimate Editions, "Goblet of Fire" does not include an extended version of the film but only the theatrical version.
Video Quality: 4.5/5
The film is correctly framed at 2.40:1 and presented in 1080p with the VC-1 codec. Blacks are deep and inky with excellent shadow detail and delineation, though the many CGI environments lack a similar depth in contrast that some might find distracting. Fine object detail is excellent, wide shots of things like the Quidditch Cup stadium and the Hogwarts grounds looking satisfyingly three dimensional. Colors have great depth and saturation, though as the stories grow ever more serious the films' color palettes become mostly shades of gray. Detail is also excellent with no indications of misused noise reduction tools. Likewise overall sharpness looks crisp and film-like with no signs of excessive digital sharpening measures.
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
The DTS-HD Master Audio mix in "Goblet of Fire" seems to take a small step back in dynamic quality, surrounds providing mostly soundtrack support and environmental effects. With its less stylistic storytelling approach, there isn't much use of atmospherics, at least not on par with the previous film. But as it is the track is quite good, with some excellent moments of LFE, rich overall bass, and fine detail in the upper ranges. Dialogue is consistently well-defined, though the increase in international accents makes things a little hard to understand at times.
Special Features: 5/5
Th most notable additions to the special features package are the In-Movie Experience and the hour-long "Creating the World of Harry Potter" documentary - part four of eight to be released with each Ultimate Edition (UE). The vintage promotional pieces are obviously thorough, but tend to get a bit repetitive.
The second disc of extras is a DVD and appears to be a simple re-pressing of the previous release's special features disc. As such it reinstates some of the items that were left off the previous Blu-ray release, though most are kid-oriented games.
Disc One
In-Movie Experience (IME): James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley) provide a bit of comic relief between the various picture-in-picture elements that cover everything from the sound design to visual effects. Frankly I could have done without their bit, as they rarely provide much of value to the actual behind-the-scenes information. Compared to other IMEs, the information is not as densely packed, but it's still a nice feature to be able to see the material concurrent with the feature.
BD-Live: Includes the trailers for recent Warner Home Video Blu-ray releases and other promotional pieces.
Disc Two
Creating the World of Harry Potter Part 4: Sound and Music (54:12, HD): The fourth installment should be a treat for anyone wanting a closer look at composing the orchestral score, sound design and sound mixing. The piece includes multiple interviews with composers, musicians and audio professionals over the last six films, sharing not just techniques but the compelling philosophies that serve as the underpinnings behind some truly excellent aural creations.
Conversations with the Cast (30:36, SD): Host Richard Curtis talks with the three principal actors about the film. Contest winners also get a chance to ask the actors several questions.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Behind the Magic (48:51, SD): Host Ben Shepard visits the Leavesden Studio set during filming and interviews the cast and crew. Given its largely promotional nature, there's a fair amount of time spent on plot developments, though it does a provide some decent behind-the-scenes looks at the production. Produced in 2005 for British broadcast.
Inside Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (43:48, SD): Promotional TV special recaps the previous three films and introduces the new characters and story developments of the fourth. Produced in 2005 for U.S. broadcast.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The Adventure Continues (24:12, SD): Another promotional item from 2005 provides an overview of the film.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Some Animal Magic (23:25, SD): Host Ben Shepard takes a look at the various animals and critters used in the film, including cats, bats, rats and owls.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: Dark Matters, New Masters (13:02, SD): Promotional piece focuses on the film's key conflicts and villains.
Deleted Scenes (9:58, HD): The majority of scenes center around the Yule Ball event, but unfortunately don't answer the question of what happened between Ron and Hermione after their initial argument. It was also a wise decision to leave out the laughable wizard rock band sequence.
Trailers (HD): Includes a teaser trailer (1:17) and a theatrical trailer (2:15).
Harry Potter: Spells (:44, SD): Commercial for a Harry Potter game app for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
Harry Potter: A Pop-Up Book (1:49, HD): Commercial for the collectible pop-up book.
Harry Potter: Film Wizardry (2:30, HD): Commercial for the collectible behind-the-scenes of filming book.
Disc Three
Triwizard Tournament: Use the remote control to complete the various wizarding tournament challenges.
Harry vs. the Horntail: The First Task (6:08, SD): A look at creating the CGI dragon.
Meet the Champions (13:03, SD): A day in the lives of the actors playing Fleur Delacour (Clémence Poésy), Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) and Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski).
In Too Deep: The Second Task (9:48, SD): A look at creating the Black Lake underwater environment, the dive training required to film the live action pieces, and various other challenges.
To the Graveyard and Back Challenge: Find the Triwizard Cup to return to Hogwarts while avoiding Death Eaters and Voldemort's snake.
The Maze: The Third Task (6:48, SD): A look at creating the maze environment.
He Who Must Not Be Named (11:09, SD): A look at developing Voldemort's physical form and character.
Additional Scenes (10:08, SD): The same set of scenes found on the second disc.
Preparing for the Yule Ball (9:03, SD): The cast talk about learning to dance and getting made up for the formal ball scenes.
Conversations with the Cast (30:34, SD): A repeat of the interview with the three principal actors, found on the second disc.
Reflections on the Fourth Film (14:13, SD): Teen cast members look back on the last few years of filming, talking about on set camaraderie and experiences.
Theatrical Trailer (1:17, SD)
DVD-ROM: Apparently only Windows compatible.
Packaging and Physical Items
"Creating the Sound and Music of Harry Potter" Book: The fourth of eight books, which serve as companion items to the eight-part documentary, includes photos, concept drawings, and information about the various film scores and sound effects techniques.
Collector Cards: Two heavy, oversized (4" X 6") trading cards feature Ron Weasley and Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody.
Digital Copy: Download a digital file from a website for playback on a computer or portable device.
Packaging: The two Blu-ray discs and special features DVD come in a quad-fold digpack case; the trading cards are kept in an envelope-like container made of cardstock. The digipack case, the cardstock container and the companion book all slide into a sturdy cardboard case with hinged cover. The cardboard case is printed and embossed like a hardbound book and looks quite handsome on the shelf. There's a slipcover for the case, but it's flashier and more commercial in its style as it also serves as the retail packaging for the release. Those wanting a bit of dust and damage protection might want to keep it on despite its less distinguished appearance, though the lenticular cover image is a nice addition.
Recap
The Feature: 2.5/5
Video Quality: 4.5/5
Audio Quality: 4.5/5
Special Features: 4.5/5
Overall Score (not an average): 3/5
The fourth part of the documentary is interesting, the book and trading cards are nice, and the construction and design of the packaging is first rate, but will the Ultimate Edition appeal to anyone except the most devoted Harry Potter fan wanting every extra ever created (up to now)? I'm doubtful, especially for casual fans who already own one of the previous BD releases. For them I'd say what they already have is sufficient. For those yet to purchase the title (which I imagine aren't many) the Ultimate Edition makes for a nice package, but individuals will have to figure out for themselves how much more they are willing to pay for it. Currently, the Ultimate Edition is priced about $15 more than the standard single-disc BD. Probably worth it if the extras will be revisited, but if not, that $15 can buy a whole other BD title that is certain to be watched again (perhaps another Potter film?). Given the choice, I imagine many will opt for the standard BD edition, making this Ultimate Edition only for the most ultimate of Potter fans.
