Defying the theatrical tradition of lessening returns with each successive sequel, the series based on J. K. Rowling’s phenomenal book series takes another magical step forward with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which is as solidly entertaining as any film that debuted in 2005. Like its predecessor, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire adds another layer of darkness, earning a justified PG-13 rating (the series’ first) with some truly harrowing fantasy chills. There’s also a bath scene that gets a little creepy, in a little-girl-ghost-coming-on-to-a-boy-wizard way. It certainly fits the story’s underlying Hogwarts-on-Hormones theme, but little ones may have questions. There’s no question that British director Mike Newell has firm command of the material, though, as the story joins Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his loyal friends Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) for their fourth year at Hogwarts Academy -- just as it’s named the site of the year’s Triwizard Tournament, which will pit a competitor from Hogwarts against individual representatives from schools in Bulgaria and France. Things go weird when, in addition to spitting out a champion from each of the institutions, the wondrous Goblet of Fire spews out "Harry Potter" as well, and no one from Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) on down quite knows what to make of it. Evil’s afoot, specifically in the form of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), and even those who have not read the book will find the unfolding mystery and the action set pieces that punctuate it more than compelling. Which is a credit to Newell’s brilliant storytelling as well as the source material; there’s no need for Harry and friends to so much come of age, in a traditional cinematic story arc. Rather, they are now of age, and puberty’s complexities throw the social soup up in the air, adding emotional heft to the special-effects sequences. Newcomers Brendan Gleeson, as dark arts instructor Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody, and Miranda Richardson, as nosy tabloid journalist Rita Skeeter, play pivotal roles; and while that results in less screen time for favorites Alan Rickman (Severus Snape), Maggie Smith (Minerva McGonagall), and Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane), they still make the most of their scenes. After all, it’s Harry's story; and this borderline-great Goblet of Fire really raises the cinematic ante for Order of the Phoenix, scheduled to arrive in November 2007.