My family are pretty well invested in the magical world created by J.K. Rowling. We read the books to the kids and they enjoyed the Harry Potter movies. We've been on the studio tour twice and we pass through Kings Cross Station all the time where there's now a Harry Potter shop next to a trolley embedded in the wall for (paid) photos. My daughter is especially into it, even at 20. She's read the books many times and knows all the details.
The last couple of Harry Potter books got very dark as the battle with Voldemort took off. This movie has a similar tone as arch villain Grindelwald starts his campaign to make wizards the rulers of the world.
As with many trailers there are possible spoilers, but it does show off the spectacular effects very well.
The first Fantastic Beasts movie mixed whimsical creatures with a dark plot about a toubled boy who had supressed his magical abilities and created a monster in the process. Part two is more brutal with lots of death and less of the creatures. The latter bring a few smiles with some old favourites and some new ones. Two words: Baby nifflers!
The effects and sound are stunning. Some of it goes past almost too fast to see, especially in the initial action sequence. I keep saying that effects are just seamless these days. I can't imagine how much work goes into them, but I do sort of miss the old days of puppets and stop motion models.
If you are already into this world then you will see it regardless. It is part of a sequence, so you have to have seen part one or you will be very confused. We enjoyed it and will probably get the DVD/BluRay eventually.
There are some local connections to this movie and the first. The dock for Newt's ship in part one was filmed in the Cardington airship hanger. The girl who plays the young Lita Lestrange goes to the same school as my son, but we don't know her. That school has produced other actors that include Ben Wishaw.
Spoilers below
There were some nice touches for the fans. It's great to see alchemist Nicholas Flamel who owned the philosopher's stone. Newt's menagerie below his house is full of little details that I may have missed.
I wonder if we will see more of the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. It's been alluded to for a while and now we find out why Dumbledore can't act against the bad guy. I think Johnny Depp plays it pretty well. Not as over the top as some of his performances.
Queenie going to the 'dark side' is a bit of a shock, but then she is conflicted by her love for Jacob and the laws against that.
As with Voldemort there are strong analogies to current charismatic leaders who try to create conflict in the name of 'taking back what is ours'. Grindelwald plays the victim, but is ruthless in killing anyone who gets in the way. His rally has definite nazi overtones with the ravens instead of eagles and the style of the uniforms of his soldiers.
Creedence plays a smaller, but vital part this time. He is being manipulated as he searches for his origin. They play a little with our expectations and I still need to figure out where he really fits into the family lines. I may need diagrams.
I think Rowling has done a good job of building some complex characters. It's not a black and white good versus evil that you get in some fantasy, although some characters are clearly bad to the core.
Ultimately it is entertainment, so I'm not going to take it too seriously. I was entertained and we can have some fun speculating on what's behind it. There's plenty of that online if you want it.
It's magic.
- I'll buy guitar picks for Steem
- Get a Wirex Debit Card to spend your crypto.
- Get some passive income with Mannabase
- Get paid to search at Presearch
Spam comments may be flagged. Beware of the Commentphant!