If you haven’t heard yet, on Nov. 17, the world was raving over the long-awaited release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
JK Rowling, author of one of the world’s most successful novel series, has brought us back to the wizarding world to a time long before “The Boy Who Lived.”
The film is set in the 1920s, following the adventures of Newt Scamander, played by Oscar-award winner Eddie Redmayne. Scamander is a magizoologist— a person who studies magical creatures—who made his way from London to New York City to collect research for a book in the works titled Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. This is the same book formerly recognized as the textbook Harry Potter and his peers used while studying at Hogwarts. Scamander brings along with him a suitcase filled with magical creatures, which traps him into a bit of trouble, and paves the road to a few misadventures.
Rowling’s ability to create an outstanding alternative world comes as no surprise for any Harry Potter fan, yet you still feel awestruck after watching this film and seeing the creativity and amazing work put into it.
For starters, the visual effects are exceptional. Being created in 3D, the artistic effects are that much more visible, allowing the audience to feel more connected and drawn to the film. Director David Yates, who also directed a few of the Harry Potter films, never fails to capture such realistic and impressively precise effects.
The film’s score is another highly-anticipated factor. The Harry Potter music is something that many fans feel very emotionally attached to. I’m sure a big question on the minds of many was whether we would hear the famous tunes again in Fantastic Beasts. Well, the beginning did indeed tease at “Hedwig’s Theme,” but the movie has its own score, by James Newton, which remained true to the themes and orchestral wonder of Harry Potter’s.
Most importantly, the film’s acting is extremely well done. Redmayne’s portrayal of Scamander is perfectly encapsulated.
Rowling herself, the film’s screenwriter, says it best. “He does such an amazing job . . . He’s so funny and endearing and awkward, and he’s a peculiar sort of hero but he’s a wonderful hero. I love him, I love the character.”
Another character that stands out is Credence Barebone, who is played by Ezra Miller. His mysterious story and importance to the film made it that much more interesting. Not to mention Miller’s brilliant performance is an unforgettable one.
Although the film is connected to the Harry Potter series, you don’t need to watch or read the series in order to watch Fantastic Beasts. In an interview with Sky News, Redmayne said the film “stands alone as its own thing, whether you’re a Potter fan or you’ve never seen a Potter film before.”
[vsw id=”Vso5o11LuGU” source=”youtube” width=”600″ height=”400″ autoplay=”no”]In my opinion, watching the series would definitely give you a better understanding of the concepts and characters, as familiar references are made such as mentioning Professor Albus Dumbledore and Hogwarts, but it’s not integral.
If you have watched or read Harry Potter—especially if you’re a die-hard fan—you’ll probably be in shock and excitement after watching Fantastic Beasts, as we are introduced to new characters, concepts, and a whole new storyline and setting that does, in fact, fit right into the Harry Potter universe.
Rowling and Yates have confirmed a total of five movies, guaranteeing a lot more information and an appearance of a younger Dumbledore and an exploration of Grindelwald’s character, who is portrayed by Johnny Depp, and only appears briefly at the end of the film.
Rowling also hinted at the future films getting grittier. “By the end of this movie I think it’s very clear to the audience where this story is going to go and how dark it’s going to get.”
