Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them - movie review

Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them

Plot: The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.
Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol
Director: David Yates
Rating: 12A (moderate threat)
Runtime: 2hrs 13 mins
Release Date: Friday 18th November 2016

There once was a boy who lived. Five years after the conclusion of his story, we begin our journey into the wizarding world once more as we follow a new group of characters. Harry Potter passion runs through my veins (I should point out, not literally. I haven't kidnapped Daniel Radcliffe and got a blood transfusion). I've read all of the books, the films have all been phenomenal but the biggest shock of all is that when news broke about a brand new film in this Wizarding World was being made, I didn't want it. The Harry Potter saga ended in such a perfect way that if anything else came along, there was a high possibility it could tarnish the splendor that came before it. It would be like having a chocolate cake and then adding even more chocolate to the point where it becomes too rich to eat. Furthermore, it was then revealed that this film would be based around the author of a textbook that Harry and his fellow Hogwarts students read in lessons. Were they just clutching at straws? Well, after attending a midnight screening (I did say I was a fan) I can officially say that Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them has flaws but regardless of that, it is simply and wonderfully magical.


Much like the Harry Potter series (What do we call this franchise now? Is it still the Harry Potter series because that insists that he is the be-all and end-all. I'm going to stick to The Wizarding World), my favourite part is the dynamic between our four main characters. Our central focus is on Newt Scamander, a magizoologist, who visits New York with a case full of magical creatures and when circumstances go awry, Newt has to search New York from head to toe to find his creatures before anything bad happens. From reading a few interviews, J.K. Rowling only had one person in mind for this role and this person didn't even need to audition. Eddie Redmayne plays Newt and thankfully, his performance falls in line with The Theory Of Everything rather than Jupiter Ascending. If you haven't seen Eddie in Jupiter Ascending, imagine an intergalactic dictator who says most of his lines quietly and whispered and then screams his head off almost like he's constipated. Anyway, moving back to Newt, because of Redmayne's lovable performance and the way Rowling has written his character, Newt Scamander makes for a brilliant lead. What makes him so engaging is his interactions with both people and creatures. Something that we notice is that Newt very rarely will ever look someone in the eye. He's socially awkward and mumbles his words when the pressure gets to him. He can be blunt and reminds me almost like a blend between Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Doctor Who (Matt Smith). However, what he lacks in people skills Newt makes up for in his knowledge and care for the magical creatures. His undivided love for these animals transpires into absolute adoration for both Newt and the beasts from the audience's perspective. If Newt is to remain the focus of this new saga, Redmayne is perfect to helm the way. The second member of this new group provides another Hermione-type character. Katherine Waterston plays Tina Goldstein, a member of the Macusa (American Ministry Of Magic) who catches Newt and his case of creatures. Through a series of accidental events, Newt and Tina have to work together to save these animals and stay secret from the No-Maj's (Muggles). This had the potential to be a really goody-goody character, sticking too much to the rules and come off more like a nuisance rather than someone we love. On one hand, Tina is a stickler to the rules but because Waterston absolutely owns the role and has so much fun in this Wizarding World, we immediately care for her and the relationship she forms with Newt. 

Alongside Tina is her sister, Queenie, played by Alison Sudol. There are two sides to Queenie. At face value, she is a stunning witch who constantly flirts and likes to have a bit of fun in her life. Then, Rowling does what she does best and reveals that Queenie's special power is her ability to read minds. Not only does that instantaneously show how much of an asset she could be to this group, but it reveals some deeper secrets of other characters and their true thoughts and feelings allowing for very successful character development. Her power stops our main group becoming two dimensional. To complete the group, we are introduced to someone who I believe will become not just a fan favourite, but one of the most beloved characters in the Wizarding World alongside Hagrid and many more. Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski is, dare I say, perfection. The immediate thought of a regular human being directly involved with wizarding goings-on was bizarre. Fortunately, Fogler strides through this film using his great comedic chops to provide some hilarious moments. His reactions to discovering this hidden world is outstanding but the biggest surprise is the incredible wallop he delivers. I honestly hope, that for the future of this series, we see more of Tina, Queenie and Jacob because I've fallen in love with them and I'm sure you all will too. Chasing the group after the beasts get loose is Colin Farrell as Percival Graves. Farrell was an amazing inclusion to this already star-studded cast. We really aren't sure where we stand with Farrell and what motivations he has for a while but he is such a presence every time he's onscreen. He's also pretty badass which makes a change to see a badass wizard in action. Graves also has this intriguing relationship with Ezra Miller's character, Credence. Let me say, Credence hasn't been advertised greatly but his character is very key to this film as is his family (spearheaded by Samantha Morton as his Salem enthusiast Mother). Here's the issue however; Miller as Credence is very good and he gives a hurt and damaged performance which is something fairly new in this world. The problem arises about his story which I'll cover in more depth shortly. Overall, for a whole new cast and characters, the implementation of them all is seamless and not a single flat performance is given. Newt, Tina, Queenie and especially Jacob are destined to be adored by Potter fans for a long time.

FACT: Eddie Redmayne auditioned for the role of Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets but was turned down after reading one line. Christian Coulson was cast instead.

Ok, let's get the negatives out of the way first because, as much I wanted it to be, Fantastic Beasts isn't a flawless film. The problems become apparent as the film nears its third act to reach a big climax. The story of Newt and his group finding the beasts over New York is fun and adventurous and with a few tweaks, could have become the entire plot. The other story of Graves and Credence hunting for this black smoke monster was intriguing and reminded me of when Harry Potter got dark which I like. That too, with a few tweaks to get Newt more involved could have been a whole plot in itself. However, meshed together, it doesn't work as well as it wants to. Due to the beasts and their mishaps occurring first, I found myself so wrapped up in that particular story, that whenever it cut back to Graves and Credence, I wasn't totally engaged. Their story was still very good and interesting but combined together, it was often too jarring. And then, for the big conclusion, it's all focused on one of those two stories (I won't say which for spoiler sake) but it was fine. Compared to the other ways Harry Potter films had concluded, this one did feel a bit humdrum and basic. Don't get me wrong, I did giggle when there were wand fights and the casting of spells but it all just came out of left field. That being said, some surprises and twists within that third act are marvelous. Flat out fantastic and I didn't see any of them coming. Another slight negative was the completely unnecessary inclusion of the Shaw family. They're a political No-Maj group running a campaign for mayor and I struggle to see why they were in the film at all. If they were gotten rid of, Fantastic Beasts would have been that bit better. Now onto the positives, of which there are many. To start with, I just want to highlight how much of a genius and absolute boss J.K. Rowling is. She wrote the entire screenplay of Fantastic Beasts and it has her wondrous stamp all over it. For someone who loves all things Harry Potter and with a family of Potterheads, thank you Ms. Rowling. You are an incredible talent. The feeling of goosebumps of seeing the Warner Bros logo appear whilst the Harry Potter theme plays over the top is indescribable. It wasn't as powerful as the Star Wars logo hitting in Force Awakens but it certainly was an experience. It also felt so good to return to this world. Five years might not seem like a long time but the sensation of seeing wizards battle on the big screen was long missed. Where Fantastic Beasts then steps it up is the adventure of Newt finding his beasts because it was exciting, fun and felt so fresh and new. My favourite scene in the film was when Newt and Jacob enter the case and we see all of the beasts in their respective habitats. There's no other word to describe that scene apart from; Beautiful. The action isn't quite as intense as the final few Harry Potter films but, similar to the first and second in the series, the action is spirited, colourful and a joy to watch.

You are going to love the beasts in this film. You could have the coldest and darkest heart but you will fall head over heels with all of Newt's creatures. Whether it be the Niffler or Doogal, you will want one. The VFX team outdid themselves this time. The design of the creatures are exceptional and they look fairly realistic. Obviously, a purple dragon that can alter its size is never going to be totally realistic but the little nuances like rustling of feathers or scaly skin shifting as Newt strokes it, those little inclusions make the whole viewing experience that much better. I am serious though. If anyone wants to get me a Christmas present, can I have a Niffler? Please. The score by James Newton Howard is so reminiscent of Harry Potter but with a new little spin put on to reinforce this new addition to the world. There aren't any standout tracks but the whole score is just fantastically magical. And, marking a big difference and change for this Wizarding World is that it isn't set in England. In fact, we travel across the pond to America and see how the magical world fares over there. Being an Englishman, I did feel a bit protective over the series thinking that they were going to Americanise it all. In actual fact, I loved the new setting of America because whilst they didn't re-explain the idea of magic and the separation between Muggles, we still get the wonderment and amazement of seeing how the American Magic world operates. I now trust Rowling with whatever she makes in this world. She has never gone wrong in these nine films so far, I doubt she ever will.

An absolutely magical tour de force and we have J.K. Rowling to thank. Potter fans are bound to be overly pleased with this installment. The beasts really are fantastic but the characters are wonderful. We get a new group that rivals Harry, Ron and Hermione and above all else, it sets up the other films brilliantly. There are a few structural issues which I can overlook because I can categorically say, Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them is a great time to spend at the cinema.

My Verdict: 8.5/10

What did you think of Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them? Who is your favourite character from The Wizarding World? Post your comments below.

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