Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Review

After five years being away from theatres, the wizarding world returns to the silver screen with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The film doesn't focus on Harry Potter however, and instead focuses on a new character, Newt Scamander, in 1920’s America. Does the film capture the magic of the past Potter movies, or is the magic all gone? This reviewer found Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to be a great return to the series. 

            The story follows Newt Scamander as he arrives in New York, carrying a case of magical creatures. Through a series of mishaps, several of the creatures end up escaping the case and Newt must gain the help of the “no-maj”(non-magic) Jacob Kowalski, and Magical Congress of the United States member, Tina Goldstein. One of the biggest worries I had with the film was that it would just be set pieces of them trying to get back the creatures, not very connected. Luckily, my fears were wrong as the film blends the characters trying to get back the creatures along with another narrative concerning attacks of a dark wizard named Grindelwald. Overall I loved the story, but my one point against it was that there was a lot of exposition at the beginning of the film, told in newspaper titles, that moved too fast to be able to catch all of the information.

Throughout the film, the characters we meet are all superb. Newt is a great person who only cares for the good of his creatures. Tina is also wonderful, with her believing in justice and just trying to have the rules be followed. There is also the best character, Jacob Kowalski. The “no-maj” serves as a great character for the audience to relate with and explain some of the elements of the world to viewers familiar and unfamiliar with the series. There is also Percival Graves, a member of the Magical Congress of the United States with a secret, and Credence, a boy caught up in the “Second Salem” movement. 

The effects and magic seen in the film is wonderful. The magic is as whimsical as it was in the Harry Potter films. The headquarters of the Magical Congress of the United States is very beautiful. The creatures, one of the main parts of the film are all greatly designed. A standout scene involving seeing all the creatures inside the suitcase is one of the most beautiful scenes I had seen in a film all year.

Overall the acting is decent. Eddie Redmayne plays the introvert of Newt well. Tina is also played well by Katherine Waterston. Even though Jacob is one of the high points of the film, Dan Folgers acting is very one-note, with him only truly showing amazement at everything he is seeing and not much else. One of the best performances in the film has to go to Ezra Miller as Credence. He effectively shows the darkness and desperation of his character and effectively becomes the most sympathetic character in the film. 

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an amazing return to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. The story shines, thanks in part to its characters and to its creativity. The visual effects also shine. All of this comes together to make a film you don't want to miss.