Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - - (Spoiler zone)

[innerSpaceman]

I think Alex is simply pointing out that the Tournament is a helluva complicated way to get Harry to a particular portkey. Now if the portkey MUST be the authentic TriWizard Cup, maybe there's a legitimate reason for all that.

But I don't agree that sloppy writing is at work here in not coming up with some absurd explanation to make the Tournament ploy meet logical standards. As I pointed out above, convoluted plots are the accepted method of choice for maniacal villians intent on global domination. It's become an accepted (and much spoofed) film characteristic of comic-bookish or fantasy villains. If this were a political thriller, some explanation of the reason behind a convoluted plot would be necessary; not so for the plans of a James Bond nemesis.

I think Voldemort falls firmly into the cartoon villainy deparment, and his convoluted plot can be accepted at face value.