'Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them' A Review

Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them is a fantasy film, a continuation of the Harry Potter universe, about British wizard Newt Scamander(Eddie Redmayne) who travels to NYC on his way to Arizona in 1926. Newt quickly encounters Mary Lou Barebone(Samantha Morton) the leader of the ominous anti-magic group New Salem Philanthropic Society, mistakenly exchanges briefcases with baker Jacob Kowalski(Dan Fogler), and runs afowl of Tina Goldstein(Katherine Waterston) a former Auror for the Magical Congress(MACUSA).

Redmayne give a good performance as the eccentric anti-social Newt who displays hidden depths as the film goes on. Waterston is decent as the co-lead but bears the burden of much of the exposition and plot forwarding. Fogler and Alison Sudol as Queenie, Tina's mind-reading sister, are the real stand outs. They give charm, emotion, playfulness, and much needed heart to the film. Morton is somewhat underutilized as the villainous cult leader and Colin Farrell as the suspect chief Auror is good although isn't given material enough to be great.

The real star of the film is the world building. Outside the constraints of the original series author and screenwriter J.K. Rowling and director David Yates have plied their considerable imaginations to bring to life the wizarding world at large with lots of interesting magical creatures and slowly creating the magical mythology of the US. The period setting, beasts, and magic practiced are all writ in sharp and pleasing detail. The magic especially is engaging as the characters are all adults and practice it with substantial more fluidity and grace than in the HP series. Although not exactly narratively tight the film is a fun and entertaining first installment that sets considerable groundwork for what promises to be a rich and interesting expansion of the Harry Potter Universe.

Fantastic magical action, engaging performances, a good start.

See It.