Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
(B+ or 3/4 stars)
Ready to return to the Harry Potter universe? If so, Warner Bros. offers up a new franchise and this 1st film, 'Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them' (adapted from a J.K. Rowling book, directed by Potter helmer, David Yates). The film takes place in 1926 NYC & follows Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a British wizard/magizoologist & author of a Hogwarts {Potter reference!} textbook that catalogs magical creatures. Toting a briefcase full of magical creatures, Newt arrives in Manhattan for an odyssey, hoping to relocate one to Arizona to live out the rest of his life. Unfortunately for Scamander, several of said creatures {some imposing, most adorable, all innocent} escape, sending nerdy Newt into the company of one, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a good-natured "No-Maj" (American for Muggles) who owns an identical briefcase; hence, a mix-up led to the creatures getting out. They're spotted by Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), an astute ex-magical law enforcement officer who's eager to regain her investigator position.
Led by Madame President Seraphina Piquery (regal Carmen Ejogo), members of the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) are segregated & secretive, hidden deep within a skyscraper. Its major Magical Exposure Threat Level Barometer is color-coded at Orange for "severe unexplained activity" because manipulative Dark Wizard Gellert Grindlewald is on the loose. Pressure is elevated by fanatical witch hunters, led by bigoted Mary Lou Barebone (a deliciously evil Samantha Morton). One of her troubled lackeys, Credence (Ezra Miller), tips off Magical Security Director Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), who becomes highly suspicious, forcing Newt & Tina to flee with Jacob & Tina's sweet, mind-reading sister, Queenie (Alison Sudol). Their adventures (both magical & real world based) take them through Macy's, the Central Park Zoo, a stylized Jazz Age speakeasy run by Goblin Gnarlak (Ron Perlman), & a climactic, CGI-ed confrontation in NY's old City Hall subway station. Can our heroes find the missing beasts, clear their names of any connection to the forces of darkness, & defeat those forces? Mayhem ensues. Gosh, I love being inside J.K. Rowling's magical universe. Having said that, Potter fans should know that the exploration of America's wizarding world here is in service of a movie geared more towards older teens/grown ups.
'Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them' is NOT the child-friendly/Hogwarts-bound start that The Sorcerer's Stone gave us. This is 1920s NYC, where magical characters face a stern, separatist attitude toward those without magic, as well as a terrifying dark force that's a threat to all New Yorkers. It also touches on xenophobia (paranoia leading to intolerance & prejudice); something little kids didn't experience in early Potter flicks. The 1920s cityscape milieu provides a great contrast to Scamander's fantastical zoo inside his briefcase. All the imaginative creatures are stupendous to look at, from the naughty-yet-adorable duck-billed Niffler {who loves to hunt for sparkly gems & jewelry}, to the Groot-like Bowtruckle named Pickett, to the enormous rhino-like Erumpent, to a winged-snake that "expands", to the frightening Obscurus, and Arizona's majestic Thunderbird; among many others.
Eddie Redmayne is perfect as the curious, kind wizard, Newt Scamander. Yes, he's awkward, sometimes incoherent, but wholly likeable. He's a swell conservationist. He is endearing as a beast protector. And watching him track down these loveable beasts is my favorite aspect of the movie. Dan Fogler is surprisingly great as his "No-Maj" sidekick, a lowly factory worker who dreams of owning a bakery. The 2 Goldstein sisters are easy to root for -- Katherine Waterston's whip smart Tina is an effective foil/sort-of-love interest for Newt & Alison Sudol's Queenie is both lovely & mercurial. Sudol's chemistry with Fogel is charming. The villains don't quite measure up to Voldemort (and co.), but a sneering Colin Farrell, witchy Samantha Morton, & enigmatic Ezra Miller leap off the screen. There's also a cameo that pops-up near the end which made the audience members buzz for a moment or two.
As a stand-alone spin-off prequel {that’s confusing, but correct} that takes us back to the enchanted world of Harry Potter, 'Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them' provides an engaging, satisfying 2 hours. I loved Newt, Jacob, the sisters, the beasts(!), the dark subplots, the adventures, etc. Technically, the film thrives, as well. Philippe Rousselot's cinematography is beautiful. The production design (led by Stuart Craig) is astounding. Colleen Atwood lends her costuming talents. The sound design (creatures, action scenes) is crisp & varied. And James Newton Howard - one of my favorite composers - gives us an enchanting musical score. My one main reservation: I just wonder where this will all go; given the announcement that 4(!) films in this fantasy/adventure franchise will follow. Is there enough material & narrative interest to sustain 4 more films?! I hope so. In the meanwhile, I’ll revel in my enjoyment of this stand-alone motion picture. All the heroes here are strong role models. Potent themes include courage & compassion. And it's never a bad thing to experience J.K. Rowling's imagination up on the big screen.
Led by Madame President Seraphina Piquery (regal Carmen Ejogo), members of the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA) are segregated & secretive, hidden deep within a skyscraper. Its major Magical Exposure Threat Level Barometer is color-coded at Orange for "severe unexplained activity" because manipulative Dark Wizard Gellert Grindlewald is on the loose. Pressure is elevated by fanatical witch hunters, led by bigoted Mary Lou Barebone (a deliciously evil Samantha Morton). One of her troubled lackeys, Credence (Ezra Miller), tips off Magical Security Director Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), who becomes highly suspicious, forcing Newt & Tina to flee with Jacob & Tina's sweet, mind-reading sister, Queenie (Alison Sudol). Their adventures (both magical & real world based) take them through Macy's, the Central Park Zoo, a stylized Jazz Age speakeasy run by Goblin Gnarlak (Ron Perlman), & a climactic, CGI-ed confrontation in NY's old City Hall subway station. Can our heroes find the missing beasts, clear their names of any connection to the forces of darkness, & defeat those forces? Mayhem ensues. Gosh, I love being inside J.K. Rowling's magical universe. Having said that, Potter fans should know that the exploration of America's wizarding world here is in service of a movie geared more towards older teens/grown ups.
'Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them' is NOT the child-friendly/Hogwarts-bound start that The Sorcerer's Stone gave us. This is 1920s NYC, where magical characters face a stern, separatist attitude toward those without magic, as well as a terrifying dark force that's a threat to all New Yorkers. It also touches on xenophobia (paranoia leading to intolerance & prejudice); something little kids didn't experience in early Potter flicks. The 1920s cityscape milieu provides a great contrast to Scamander's fantastical zoo inside his briefcase. All the imaginative creatures are stupendous to look at, from the naughty-yet-adorable duck-billed Niffler {who loves to hunt for sparkly gems & jewelry}, to the Groot-like Bowtruckle named Pickett, to the enormous rhino-like Erumpent, to a winged-snake that "expands", to the frightening Obscurus, and Arizona's majestic Thunderbird; among many others.
Eddie Redmayne is perfect as the curious, kind wizard, Newt Scamander. Yes, he's awkward, sometimes incoherent, but wholly likeable. He's a swell conservationist. He is endearing as a beast protector. And watching him track down these loveable beasts is my favorite aspect of the movie. Dan Fogler is surprisingly great as his "No-Maj" sidekick, a lowly factory worker who dreams of owning a bakery. The 2 Goldstein sisters are easy to root for -- Katherine Waterston's whip smart Tina is an effective foil/sort-of-love interest for Newt & Alison Sudol's Queenie is both lovely & mercurial. Sudol's chemistry with Fogel is charming. The villains don't quite measure up to Voldemort (and co.), but a sneering Colin Farrell, witchy Samantha Morton, & enigmatic Ezra Miller leap off the screen. There's also a cameo that pops-up near the end which made the audience members buzz for a moment or two.
As a stand-alone spin-off prequel {that’s confusing, but correct} that takes us back to the enchanted world of Harry Potter, 'Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them' provides an engaging, satisfying 2 hours. I loved Newt, Jacob, the sisters, the beasts(!), the dark subplots, the adventures, etc. Technically, the film thrives, as well. Philippe Rousselot's cinematography is beautiful. The production design (led by Stuart Craig) is astounding. Colleen Atwood lends her costuming talents. The sound design (creatures, action scenes) is crisp & varied. And James Newton Howard - one of my favorite composers - gives us an enchanting musical score. My one main reservation: I just wonder where this will all go; given the announcement that 4(!) films in this fantasy/adventure franchise will follow. Is there enough material & narrative interest to sustain 4 more films?! I hope so. In the meanwhile, I’ll revel in my enjoyment of this stand-alone motion picture. All the heroes here are strong role models. Potent themes include courage & compassion. And it's never a bad thing to experience J.K. Rowling's imagination up on the big screen.