Harry Potter fans can rest easy. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” directed by Mike Newell, who is new to the series and following in the footsteps of Chris Columbus and Alfonso Cuaron, is not merely the next installment of the series – it’s the best one so far.

The fourth chapter in the Harry Potter saga, as the book aficionados already know, finds Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) as a 14-year-old and dealing with all the things that 14-year-olds deal with, including hormones and his first crush. Of course, being Harry Potter, the troubles don’t stop there. His infamous scar has been aching because of prophetic dreams involving Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and Wormtail. But, the bespectacled young wizard doesn’t have much time to dwell. Shortly after his reunion with best friends Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) at the ill-fated Quidditch World Cup, the trio is whisked away to another year at Hogwarts.

Surprises are afoot at Hogwarts as yet another new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher is introduced as the eccentric Mad Eye Moody (Brendan Gleeson), and Headmaster of Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) announces the arrival of the Triwizard Tournament ,in which students from three wizarding schools, including Hogwarts, will face off against one another. Eternal glory and a hefty prize is promised to the champions competing, which include Viktor Krum (Stanislav Ianevski) from the Durmstrang Institute, Fleur Delacour (Clèmence Poèsy) from Beauxbatons Academy, Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) from Hogwarts, and to everyone’s surprise, Harry Potter. But, a dastardly plot is being put into place by a follower of Lord Voldemort, and the plan naturally involves Harry in a way that will affect the entire wizarding world.

This isn’t your little sister’s Harry Potter anymore. The movie’s tone is darker and a little more frightening, earning its PG-13 rating. This is appropriate, as the novel is written along the same lines. In fact, screenwriter Steve Kloves is finally a success as this film adaptation is the most faithful so far. While much of the novel has to be cut (734 page book into a two hour and 45 minute movie), nothing feels “missing,” unlike with the other films. The film is fast paced and everything is very fluid, and intelligible.

Also, this is the first Potter film that even comes close to addressing the comedic elements of the story. Fan favorites Fred and George (James and Oliver Phelps) are used much more as comedic relief, but it doesn’t stop there. Everyone is given their fair share of humorous one-liners, but it never takes away from the film’s darker moments.

However, it is the younger cast that really shines. They are far less awkward and stiff than in the previous three movies. They’ve grown into their roles, and it shows. Radcliffe and Grint are absolutely believable as best friends, whether they’re on speaking terms or not. Both young actors are much more confident in their roles, and it’s very evident in their body language and line delivery.

However, young Emma Watson may turn off Hermione fans. She delivers almost every line either by yelling or by crying. These mood swings seem to come out of nowhere and are often un-motivated. It appears the actress has decided to be much more dramatic, and the role suffers for it. But the relationships between the trio definitely evolve in this story, and the actors are portraying that quite well.

Also deserving of mention is Matthew Lewis as Neville Longbottom, Katie Leung as Cho Chang, and Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory. Lewis has been in every film so far, but now he’s actually noticeable. His performance is both humorous and touching at times, playing the Neville from the novels pitch perfectly. Newcomers Leung and Pattinson are also very well cast. While their parts lean towards the small side, both are integral to the plot and are acted sublimely.

For the first time in the Potter epic, you do not have to have read the books to enjoy this movie. It is very much a well-made fantasy film, along the lines of “Lord of the Rings” or “Star Wars.” The effects are extremely well done, particularly the dragons and the hedge maze, and the dialogue is far less clunky than in previous installments.