Fantastic Beasts Is No Longer 'Fantastic' - (Review)

This past weekend I went to see the latest in the wizarding world movies on offer, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore. After two and a half hours I was just wondering who exactly was this for and what exactly was its purpose? given by its climax the arching plot of a wizard tyrant has progressed no further than the second movie. For a movie titled ''The Secrets Of Dumbledore'' we dont learn much more than we already knew about our favourite head-master.

To explain what I mean by the statement that I do not know who this movie is for is because it feels its trying to be a political wizarding thriller with dark elements that then interjects comedy in random moments. It lacks colour, it lacks the magic of Harry Potter and the first Fantastic Beasts.

Most importantly it lacks purpose and a meaningful conclusion. While cinematography, the musical score, acting and CGI is an incredible spectacle and solid reasons to see this movie, there is just so many issues with its plot, themes, character arcs.

The plot centres around Gellert Grindlewald, a muggle hating wizard rising to power politically and relying on a magical McGuffin creature to become a president of the magical world. Our previous characters rise against him with the help of a returning Albus Dumbledore who is revealed to be the ex-lover of Grindlewald. Which I do admit was a very interesting plot thread and adds to a more diverse and accepting wizarding world. It is done very well and has meaning but unfortunately this is my only real standout moment and reasoning to warrant a viewing.

As people may have noticed due to the ongoing court case and issues surrounding Johnny Depp's personal life, Warner Brothers took it upon themselves to recast our antagonist to Mads Mikkleson. A wise choice of actor but it is never explained within the movie and you are just expected to know this is the same guy who committed war crimes against the muggle world.

Newt Scamander is completely underused, our lead character gets less screen time than the last nor do we see his magical menagerie outside a few fan favourites such as Niffler. The entire movies theme and execution just seems to be meandering to the same conclusion as the last and once again Grindlewald gets away and leaves our characters in a similar predicament to where they were a few years previous. However this time Jacob, our lovely baker gets his dream girl, which was a nice resolution to his arc.

While it has its fun moments such as a hilarious crab dance in a prison segment it is mixed with such dark elements such as animal torture and murder. Again posing the question who is this movie for? its a mixed bag and its certainly not for children. The film showcases some seriously dark elements and vague Nazi like imagery with Grindlewald and his followers. A different take on racism with wizards hating non-magical humans has always been lightly present in the Harry Potter franchise but here it hits the gas with a heaviness that feels so unnatural and without reason.

While it is enjoyable as a Potter fan, it just does nothing major to advance or add to the existing world. As it stands, Warner Brothers has planned five Fantastic Beasts movies, with The Secrets of Dumbledoor being its third instalment. After seeing this latest entry I am simply left thinking, why do we need another two movies if this is what we are going to get. Its not fantastic anymore, and the fun factor is dwindling. Lets get this franchise back on track or stop it here because I am worried a fourth film will be more meandering darkness and less fun than this entry.

6/10

Written By John.P