The second entry in JK Rowling’s five-part prequel series is brimful of revelations that set the pace for future installments, albeit in underwhelming undertones.
Although Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald was entertaining, it distorted the previously canon history to a great extent. The biggest disruption came in at the very end and left me bewildered.
Revisiting a Familiar World
The movie began with an enthralling chase sequence where the titular antagonist escaped the authorities. The pacing, the cinematography, the palette, the CGI effects and everything reverberated a very Deathly Hallows vibe. It was potent, much like a dementor’s kiss.
The film reintroduces the principle cast a few months later, along with the British Ministry of Magic. The relation Newt shares with his brother and Leta Lestrange is also teased.
The entrance of the young DumbleDAMN (merely referring to Twitter) felt like an embrace.
Plotwise, the returning characters are often found with questionable stances. Queenie for instance made me question whether or not I had a true grasp on her from the first movie.
Gradually, the several tracks of the maze-like plot proceed with the ultimate destination of finding the obscurial Credence Barebone (in case you hadn’t realized it, he had escaped in the first movie). Hogwarts or more accurately, home was also shown; let’s just say that my eyes overflowed with water, enough for me to strategically subdue it due to my overwhelmed heart. Grindelwald, however, exuded considerable influence on the plot, making sure to wreak havoc at the end.Lines were drawn as we headed towards the finish.
Dumbledore, in true Dumbledore fashion, coerced Newt to do his work for him. Jude Law took on the role of the young Albus rather effortlessly; he felt like the perfect choice with his charisma and twinkling eyes. The Parisian Ministry of Magic was also resplendent. It gave MACUSA (that ultimately failed to keep Grindelwald behind bars) a run for its money. The new characters were tempting and particularly Leta made an impact; Zoe Kravitz was alluring as the mysterious Leta.
Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald had an otherwise composed persona with the sprinkle of a lot of confidence.
Things that Worked (and didn’t Work)
The overall effects and colour gradients throughout the movie were remarkable. The individual scenes were never muddled, they represented the moody they were designated to represent. The action sequences were engulfing much like Fiendfyre (flashback to Harry barely saving Draco from it). The quirky jokes every now and then, enhanced the watch along with the bonding between the characters. Oh, and did I mention the addition of new fantastical beasts!? The meeting with the wizarding circus industry was a pleasure as was getting a glance at Newt’s actual lifestyle.
Some Characters Could be Handled Better
Not all was magnifique and magical though. Credence Barebone for example had only one priority in mind. His hunger of wanting to know more about where he came from turned him into almost a nuisance. As a lost child it made sense for him to want to know about his origins but despite having a friend (Nagini) he could rely on, he chose to neglect his present or even a possibly fruitful future. Suffice it to say, he has only ever been in a gullible state of mind thus far in the series. Speaking of his friend Nagini, I had gone in hoping for much more from her but it felt like she was only there as an accessory for Credence to use.
Queenie also felt like a mishap. I assumed I had her pegged, so when it was revealed in the first quarter of the movie that she had enchanted Jacob and brought him to Paris without his permission, I was taken aback. I thought she was about authenticity. Her decision later, when she had to pick a side between ‘good’ and ‘bad’, therefore failed to make an impact at all.
Another element that bothered me was the lack of haste in their endeavor of recapturing Grindelwald. When you consider the uproar that the Death Eaters’ escape caused in Order of the Phoenix, the lack of urgency here is concerning. There have also been sequences in the movie that ought to more aptly be in a book, and they make the movie cumbersome.
The Verdict
Nevertheless, we ought to keep in mind that we have three more movies to obtain answers from.
It will not be right to go in expecting a complete experience, since it is only part of a five-part series. Much like Infinity War, it will make you want answers and so much more!
