My thoughts on "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"

Hi Guys! I know that I promised a blog post with my thoughts on "Fantastic Beasts", so here we go!

Here is your SPOILER ALERT!

So, first off: I LOVED IT!

I was worried going into it because I know it is cannon and the last bit of cannon we got was "The Cursed Child" and we all know how that went . . . not very good.

There are a few reasons that I think the creators and writers of Fantastic Beasts had a bit of an easier road ahead of them. First, their story takes place in the past; second, it takes place in another country; and third, it follows characters that we haven't already met and fallen in love with. That leaves them with much small shoes to fill. However, this movie was amazing regardless and I would go as far as to say that is was the best movie in the HP universe.

This movie follows Newt Scamander as he arrives in New York City with a mysterious case full of creatures. He goes to a bank where be bumps into a muggle (or No-Maj) named Jacob Kowalski who picks up an egg that Newt accidentally left behind. Jacob and Newt end up separated but Newt was being followed by a woman named Tina. Tina is an ex auror for MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) who was demoted after she confronted a group of No-Maji (more on them later). She is looking to get her old job back and she thinks taking Newt in is the way to do it. MACUSA and President Picqury turn her away at first which leads her to taking Newt and Kowalski back to her apartment. There we are introduced to Tina's sister Queenie, a witch who also works at MACUSA and who can read minds. She and Kowalski hit it off and a very sweet romance begins to form between them.

Eddie Redmayne is absolutely fabulous as Newt. He plays him with a softness and subtle quirkiness that immediately endears him to the audience. He is quiet and brave and passionate about all the magical creatures he is sworn to protect. Also, Newt is a Hufflepuff and it is great to see a Hufflepuff main character.

Tina is smart and confident and quick on her feet. She loved being an auror because she wants to do the right thing and she cares deeply about justice, but when it turns out that MACUSA isn't dispensing justice as she knows it to be, she leaves the life she loves behind to help Newt.

Kowalski is hilarious and kind. He is thrown into a magical world he doesn't understand but he quickly becomes enthralled by it. He feels acceptance here and fights very hard to protect the magical creatures and the magical world.

Queenie is a wonderfully written character as well. She is enamored with Kowalski in a sweet, almost innocent way. She cares deeply about her family and friends, and she shows immense bravery when she needs too. She is the "Not just a blonde bimbo" archetype which is one of my favorites and I thought the writing for her was done very well.

New York is being terrorized by a mysterious force called an obscurus. An obscurus is a magical parasitic force which develops in a magical person who surpresses their magical ability. We are also faced with Mo-Maj antagonists called the Second Salemers who want to persecute witches and wizards in a second Burning Times. Eventually the two come to ahead when one of the adopted Second Salem boys turns out to be the obscurus that is attacking the city.

Plot wise, I really loved the story! I was blown away by how well done it was. This was much more than just a fun little Harry Potter story, which is what I thought we were getting. It was dark and adult. It dealt with themes of persecution, abuse, oppression and corruption. The characters were multi-dimensional and charming and I want to know more about them.

The two main problems I have with this movie are ones that have been echoed by many others. First of all, we are again faced with a lack of diversity. I love the fact that the President of MACUSA is a black woman (YES!) but I wish there had been a bit more representation in our main group. The second problem is the casting of Johnny Depp. Just from acting ability alone, I am sure he will do a good job. I like many characters that Depp has played (Jack Sparrow, hello?) and I think he is very talented. I am partially concerned with the choice to pick him because Grindelwald was supposed to be incredibly charming and suave - so alluring in fact that he makes Dumbledore forget his honor and join his cause. Can Johnny Depp play that? I guess we will have to wait and see. However, my main issue is the message this casting choice sends. Fantastic Beasts deals with the issue of abuse - it is a huge part of this story and the Harry Potter universe as a whole - so why cast an actor who has been accused of abusing his wife? I know he might be innocent, but it doesn't matter. That just sends a conflicting message. There are so many talented actors that could have playing this part who haven't been accused of abuse. Maybe this will be addressed at some point.

Regardless of these problems, I loved this movie. I know it is the first of 5 installments all which, supposedly, will end with the epic battle between Grindlewald and Dumbledore. I cannot wait for that!

So what do you all think? Did you like the movie? What do you think of Johnny Depp as Grindelwald? Do you think Arianna Dumbledore is an obscurus? Do you think Creadance is really dead?

Tons of Love!

Charlie