Stupify: Review of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Director: David Yates

By Alex Watson

Two installments in and the Fantastic Beasts franchise is still struggling to find sure footing. The first outing had some kinks but Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald fails to iron them out. While there are individual moments that impress, the amount of CGI finesse cannot disguise the thinly layered plot and the lack of narrative. The wizarding world is a place of limitless potential, but in the hands of David Yates, its effect is starting to slip.

Permanently banned from international travel after the events in New York, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is thrust back into the fight against evil by old professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law). Meanwhile, evil wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) cunningly escapes from prison and sets his plan to have pure-bloods dominating both the wizard and muggle worlds. There is also the added problem of troubled young wizard Credence (Ezra Miller).

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is a rather tame beast throughout. Often promising more than it delivers, we are left with what feels like a build up for the next installment. The first half certainly delivers some stunning pieces- such as Grindelwald's daring escape from a flying carriage. This picture also makes the most of its 1927 Paris setting and the cinematography by DP Phillipe Rousselot is among the movie's biggest accomplishments. Sadly JK Rowling's script is content just to plod along exploring any number of side plots. Newt is still dealing with the fallout from his New York adventures and is unwilling to 'pick a side' with the upcoming good vs evil fight. This character while the clear lead is oddly rather bland and unappealing. Newt still pines for his crush Tina (Katherine Waterson) and a large portion of the movie teases the 'will they/ won't they' business.

Some of the major plot points hit- such as muggle Jacob (Dan Fogler) attempt to keep his romance to Queenie (Alison Sudol) on track. A mismatched pair as Queenie is pure blood, this gives us the very definition of a doomed romance. Credence is a character that everyone pursues- but in reality, his character is given little to do except look sullen. Grindelwald while a scene grabbing villain is restricted to only a couple of key scenes. His appearances provide some bursts of colour and potential for an epic showdown. This lack of inclusion proves frustrating and the movie seems more invested in bringing to light the backstory of Lita LeStrange (Zoe Kravitz) than it does with developing its villain. While Dumbledore's inclusion does throw more light on what is ultimately a very bold and tricky wizard, he is given barely any time to make an impact.

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is its lack of resolution. Towards the end, Grindelwald holds what is arguably a mass pure-blood rally. Rather than going away satisfied after a mass magic battle and some closure thrown in for good measure- we are instead left confused and deflated. What feels like a blockbuster finale is in fact rather flat and lifeless affair. There is a cliffhanger feel and perhaps the third outing with finally satisfy all tastes. David Yates is now on his sixth outing in the wizarding world. He did a stellar job over the final four Harry Potter films. So far, the Fantastic Beasts franchise has been less kind to his abilities and this begs the question if he should make way? Some blockbusters know how to leave audiences wanting more- this picture does it the wrong kind of way.

Eddie Redmayne while a capable actor doesn't feel like a good fit for Newt Scamander. Often struggling to completely convince as the awkward and bumbling wizard, Redmayne has yet to find the groove of this character. Katherine Waterson is one of the most underrated actresses on the planet. Once more she is shortchanged in a big movie and her Tina Goldstein is given little chance to make an impact. Johnny Depp however, despite a lack of screentime is thoroughly commanding as Grindelwald. There was controversy galore over his casting, but Depp is very much the villain the series needs.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is a movie that promises a great deal but seems content to let its audience sit and wait.

Beasts of The New York Wild: Review of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Director: David Yates

By Alex Watson

The return to the Harry Potter universe is an enjoyable one by director David Yates. While Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an adventure that is great to look at, it doesn't quite conjure up the same sense of wonder. Yates draws into a world of unlimited imagination where effects seem to come second to knowing our characters. Eddie Redmayne makes for a capable lead, but JK Rowlings first attempt at a script is slightly incomplete.

Former Hogwarts pupil Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives in New York to promote his work on magical creatures. However, magic is under fire in New York after several recent events. Accidentally crossing paths with wannabe muggle baker Jacob (Dan Fogler) will bring him into the path of ex-Auror Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston). All the while, a war against magic is being waged by activist Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton).

The creation of the new beasts and a brave step in a new pre-Potter world are what gives Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them its success. The new creatures are visually dazzling, top marks go to thieving platypus the Niffler, whose antics are a new ending sources of laughs. From the moment Newt Scamander arrives in New York, trouble seems to find him, During one encounter at the bank, he accidentally swaps suitcases with Jacob. Arrested by Porpentina, she drags Newt back to MACUSA (the US Magic Ministry) as perceives him to be a magical threat. The moment Jacob opens his wrong suitcase, all hell breaks lose and the bulk of the picture is spent chasing down these various beats around the Big Apple. Tina's boss Seraphina Picquery (Carmen Ejogo) is concerned with the effect this will have after the recent attacks by renowned wizard Grimmewald. Sinister MACUSA agent Graves (Colin Farrell) seems to have his own sinister agenda.

Chasing the beasts across a variety of awkward big city locations is definitely a great comic touch. One scene sees them chasing a horny female rhino creature across a frozen New York zoo. The main trouble comes from Newt being a rather weakly written character. A socially awkward and clumsy wizard, this person doesn't really have the needed spark the story requires. Jacob as a 'Non-Maj' dragged into the wizarding world is one we identify with more closely. A good funny relief, he is the audience's vision and like us, he is trying to make sense of it. His love story with Tina's alluring sister Queenie (Alison Sudol) is pleasant but doesn't feel necessary in this type of film. Together Newt and Tina make a good team, but their potential attraction feels drastically underwritten. Graves is a character who has a good sense of mystery about him as he investigates a series of random attacks by an invisible force. The supporting roles seem richer despite less time, particularly Morton's villainous Barebone. Her badly abused son Credence (Ezra Miller) is a wonderfully dark character that lurks in the shadows.

The third does make Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to life. The invisible force has caused havoc throughout, even resulting in the death of an important son of newspaper mogul Henry Shaw Sr (Jon Voight). Finally, during this stretch, Newt gets the chance to play hero onscreen. The numerous creature chase sequences eventually draw out the pictures running time unnecessarily. When he focus on the principle threat plague threatening the city, he emerges as a clever and bold hero who could grow with the right material. Aided by his glorious big bird Frank, Newt shows real brains when the game is on the line, showing that creatures, not humans are his real forte. Unfortunately for all the last act's twists and turns, it contains a big reveal that's far too easy to predict. Although it does boast one of 2016's most unexpected A-lister cameos. JK Rowling's script might not all it wants to be, but it sure is great fun. Yates is able to keep the magic alive where needed and he is definitely the go-to man for this series.

Eddie Redmayne does the best with the material he is given as Newt Scamander. While watching him do an awkward mating dance for a hippo creature makes us cringe, Redmayne is able to bring across the more socially isolated part. Presented your typical bumbling Englishman abroad, Redmayne is able to bring across a depth such as his pining for an acquaintance who once wronged him. More impressively he is given a bravery when the game is on the line and that finally makes us root for him. Katherine Waterston is a talented actress is a rather beige role as Tina Goldstein and while her heart is commendable, she is never given anything to draw us in. Dan Fogler is by the given the strongest supporting role and as muggle Jacob, he is a revelation. Embodying the audiences conscience and desire to see this world, Fogler looks like a kid in a candy store.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them offers wonderful visual excitement and is another very entertaining piece. Unfortunately, it just doesn't feel different from anything else we've seen in this universe.