GoF is IMO the WORST HP movie in the series. So many plot changes that it's barely recognisable from the source material! I mean so much retcon had to be done in the future movies just to keep up with the continuity. While I admire the film for its mature visual style, Mad eye moody & Voldermort, the story is terrible. The first two thirds of the movie drags on with unnecessary story elements and dialogues, many of which could have been used to re-include omitted plot details through one liners and simple dialogues. For example, all that Hide and Seek with the dragon during the first task is just bloated unnecessary detail. After the second task everything's rushed and BAM, its suddenly the third task and the movie's over.
Its understandable that the story had to be cut down, but the barty Crouch subplot should have had more explanation, and the house elves should have been included, at LEAST in a two minute clip just to establish it in the future movies. Also one of the blunders the movie makes is having Voldermort call Harry's mom 'filthy muggle mother'. What. The. F***. How the hell did that get past the cutting room floor??? muggle? not mudblood? Smh.
I also hate how they've made Dumbledore look like a raging fart when something unexpected happens. The dumbledore in the book NEVER got angry when Harry's name came out of the goblet. He was calm, reassuring, calculating and comforting. He went 'Harry..... Did you put your name in the goblet?' in his natural calm tone. In the movie? He goes beserk and man handles Harry: 'HARRY! HARRY! DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE???? ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY SURE?!'
Mike Newell mate what the blue hell were you thinking!
There are so many other blunders and screwups that I cant remember unless i watch the movie, and its just disappointing and upsetting.
By the way I too think Azkaban is a great movie. Its got a beautiful visual style, although I wish Alfonso Cuaron and co had left in the explanation behind the marauder's map in there, it would have only taken an extra minute. But I think that Deathly hallows Part 2 is the best Potter movie. Very close to the spirit of the book, so epic and grand and very emotional.
I'd rank the Potter movies like this:
1. Deathly Hallows Part 2
2. Deathly Hallows Part 1
3. Prisoner of Azkaban
4. Order of the Phoenix, Chamber of Secrets, Philosopher's Stone (All in the same rank, I love them equally)
5. Half Blood Prince
6. And Goblet of Fire, and to note that HB Prince is miles above GoF.