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.

The Skin I Live In: Review of The Danish Girl

The Danish Girl

Director: Tom Hooper

By Alex Watson

A pair of electric performances from Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander helps keep Tom Hooper's The Danish Girl alive. Although this is likely to secure both leads awards nominations, you can't help but feel this isn't a complete effort. The tale of Lili Elbe is one that is very humane and touching, but the script from Lucinda Coxon doesn't quite sparkle like we hoped. Hooper does well to give us a  powerful look at a person who risked it all to live comfortably in their own skin.

Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne) is a success landscape artist living with his wife Gerda (Alicia Vikander) in Copenhagen. Together the pair lives a free-spirited and loving existence as they both paint. When her friend Ulla (Amber Heard) cannot make a sitting, Gerda asks Einar to stand in for her. What begins as an experiment turn into a life-changing experience for both. Soon Einar sheds his own existence and becomes a woman called Lili. From this, he will campaign to become who he was born to be.

The early stages of The Danish Girl have a fine playfulness to them, Einar at first jokingly puts on some tights and ballet shoes. Before long, it becomes like a spiritual awakening and watching him putting on a nurse dress for the first time is like watching him be reunited with an old lover. Gerda initially indulges this fantasy, one scene seems them dressing Einar up and taking him to a ball. His transformation into Lili is where the movie crosses over and what begins as a risque adventure soon becomes strained. Watching her husband kissing the smitten Henrik (Ben Whishaw) is like watch her life fracture before her eyes. "You're different from most girls" Henrik whispers, the irony hanging painfully on the air.

Centrally the inner struggle for Einar to live as himself and Lili is the main firing pin for the movie. Lili is now part of the marriage and Hooper invests equal time in examining the reactions from both sides. Einar tries to effectively get himself into the role, which includes this year's most interesting nude scene (think Ted Levine in Silence of the Lambs). Gerde, however, both flounders and embraces this new side of him. "I want to speak to my husband" she insists when dealing with a fully customed Lili. Rather than pushing her away from us, Hooper highlights her inner strength and understand of the tricky card she has been dealt. Wisely we are given a key supporting presence in Hans Axgil (Matthias Schoenaerts), a former friend/lover of Einar who sparks a mutual attraction for both leads. Hans is the shoulder that bears the burden of the heavier third act.

Despite The Danish Girl being an excellently acted and beautifully made picture, you cannot help but feel there is a something missing. Perhaps it is the rather wayward middle act where the pair heads to Paris? During this sequence, there is perhaps a little too much of Einar's struggle. Gerde emerges as the real lead during this point, but although her feelings for Hans conflict with her love for Lili we get the impression that Hooper is filling time. Although the film struggles to keep up with the fine acting, it does give way to one of the most moving endings. Einar desire to become Lili is realized when he meets a doctor about sex reassignment. Stating he believes his is truly a woman, Gerde responds "I believe it too" Love is proven to survive change because the person underneath counts the most.

Eddie Redmayne gives the boldest and transformative role of his career. Firmly capturing a conflicted soul born in the wrong skin, Redmayne's plays almost a dual role. As Einar he is the man yearning for a difference, Lili is the one who embraces it and becomes his real voice. An assured nominee, Redmayne is a man at the peak of his talents. Alicia Vikander comes away as the real star of the picture. A strong willed and energetic presence, she stubbornly refuses to fall back into the loving wife role. Vikander carries the film where Redmayne cannot and effortlessly comes across as the emotional core of Hooper's film.

Outside of the two outstanding leads, The Danish Girl may not be the awards contender many predicted. This story is still a potent reminder of the difficulty of living a different life and the strength it will take to make a big change.

A Beautiful Mind: Review of The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything

Director: James Marsh

By Alex Watson

Stephen Hawking is without question one of the great minds in history. His book 'A Brief History of Time' changed how we each think about the universe and time itself. Not only that, but he has been a great fighter and has achieved so much whilst under going a lifelong battle with Motor Neurone Disease. But what do we really know of the man himself? This week British director, James Marsh brings us an up close look at how the man came to be in his emotionally enthralling biopic The Theory of Everything.

Young Cambridge student Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) is undertaking a doctorate in Physics. While studying he begins a whirlwind romance with fellow student Jane Wild (Felicity Jones) and embarks on a radical studying involving time. But a crushing blow is dealt when he is diagnosed with motor neurone disease and only given a short time to live! Refusing to let life slip away, Hawking will put a bold fight and continue to climb mountains while his body deteriorates.

The Theory of Everything is a poignant and fitting tribute to the legacy of Hawking and effectively captures his never say die spirit! Starting as almost a charming romantic tale, the brilliant but social awkward Stephen romances Jane at a dance whilst giving an eloquent a speech about how Tide washing powder makes the men's shirts glow under the lights. Events have a cute and magnetic feeling to them and this slightly mismatched pair make our hearts glow. However, the moment Hawking takes a life changing tumble to the ground- the diagnosis is one that essentially leaves him a prisoner in his own body.

Marsh from this point documents his struggle magnificently and the strain of his declining health is shared by both parties. The crushing pain that Hawking experiences when he believed his life was coming to an end is heartbreaking. His refusal to throw in the towel though, becomes the movie's principle strength. This story is no fairy tale by any means, while Stephen is continuing to achieve brilliance is spite of his body and speech failing, Jane is bearing the brunt of the pressure and her own life goals take a back seat to caring. In the presence of this sometimes difficult man, we find ourselves wondering if this life would have been any different with Hawking in full health?

Throughout The Theory of Everything, Hawking is not fully absolved from any blame because his success alienates him from the people he cares for most. The movie does wonderfully capture his unique sense of humour and how even in the hardest times, Hawking was able to crack a smile. One memorable scene sees him saying 'Exterminate' in his new computer voice! Even without when his voice is eventually lost, the man still resolves to be heard. There may be a lack of scientific talk, but Marsh's movie isn't focuses on celebrating his achievements, it is far more interested in a life less ordinary.

But the principle strength of this film comes from an astounding performance from Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking. Playing the man from start to finish, Redmayne gives a performance that although physical demanding is one that uncovers side to Hawking that many didn't existed! The single most impressive feature of this remarkable turn is Redmayne's ability to express emotion through only facial expressions. Now a firm contender for big awards, the man has now arrived on the world stage! Felicity Jones also stakes her own claim with a heart stealing support turn as Jane. Throughout she matches Redmayne for strength and does a good job of showing the cracks appearing despite her undying love!

Also look out for great supporting turns from the ever reliable David Thewlis and a greatly repressed turn from Boardwalk Empire's Charlie Cox.

Finally the film world has a depiction of Stephen Hawking's life that is one to savour! The Theory of Everything is an emotional roller-coaster that refuses to let you off until the films conclusion! Expect acting nominations for the centre pair because they are thoroughly deserved.