Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
[Warning: This post may contain spoilers - read at your own risk.]
The Fantastic Beasts movie franchise is a clear cash-grab, right? We all know it, but that doesn't stop us fans from flocking to the theatres to see the latest addition to the Potterverse. After all, I think we're all a little curious to witness the creative genius that is J. K. Rowling. The fact that she has all of this extra material about the wizarding world that hasn't been used is amazing, and it keeps the fans hanging on. It's a win-win; we get the continual release of new materials, and Rowling gets crazy rich and famous for all of the work that she put into this series.
I was particularly excited for this movie when I saw that Eddie Redmayne was cast as Newt Scamander. I also loved the idea that this movie featured a Hufflepuff as the main character. Nice to see my house represented! And, on top of all of that, the movie is set in 1920s New York, which is just amazing! The city is wonderful, and the 20s/art deco aesthetic adds to the magic in a stunning way.
Fantastic Beasts, the backstory for the creation of a Hogwarts textbook, follows Newt as he travels to New York City. Unfortunately, things in the city are going awry and Newt adds to the chaos through his clumsiness and lack of knowledge about North American wizarding culture. Tina Goldstein, a low level MACUSA (magical government) employee is overstepping her duties and trying to deal with anti-magic protests when she comes across Newt and realizes that some of his beasts have escaped from his case. The two team up with Queenie, Tina's sister, and a no-maj (muggle) named Jacob in an attempt to recapture all of Newt's escaped beasts before they cause trouble or expose magic. However, a dark force, later identified as an obscurial (a force created by a young wizard's suppressed powers), is wreaking havoc on the city. It turns out that a few people are pretending to be something other than they are: a Second Salemer is a powerful obscurial, and a MACUSA auror is none other than the infamous criminal Gellert Grindlewald. As all of these magical forces are let loose on New York, the wizarding community risks exposure in a country that is far less accepting and/or oblivious to such things than the United Kingdom appears to be in the Harry Potter series.
I was quite pleased with this movie. It had all the magic and wonder of Harry Potter, with a whole new amazing cast of characters, including some rather strong women. It is a story of outsiders, just like the original series. And the atmosphere was magical, secretive, free-spirited - everything that the 1920s should be and more. I walked away from this movie feeling like I was prepared to go on an adventure. It was fitting, too, considering that I was flying to England only a month or two after that.
I know that some people question why the Potterverse is still expanding, but this is a great addition to the wizarding world. The characters are quirky, but loveable. The most upsetting thing was that Jacob was not allowed to remember any of what happened. Luckily, we get a hint that maybe he will remember one day. That's all I'll say. Just watch it.
The Fantastic Beasts movie franchise is a clear cash-grab, right? We all know it, but that doesn't stop us fans from flocking to the theatres to see the latest addition to the Potterverse. After all, I think we're all a little curious to witness the creative genius that is J. K. Rowling. The fact that she has all of this extra material about the wizarding world that hasn't been used is amazing, and it keeps the fans hanging on. It's a win-win; we get the continual release of new materials, and Rowling gets crazy rich and famous for all of the work that she put into this series.
I was particularly excited for this movie when I saw that Eddie Redmayne was cast as Newt Scamander. I also loved the idea that this movie featured a Hufflepuff as the main character. Nice to see my house represented! And, on top of all of that, the movie is set in 1920s New York, which is just amazing! The city is wonderful, and the 20s/art deco aesthetic adds to the magic in a stunning way.
Fantastic Beasts, the backstory for the creation of a Hogwarts textbook, follows Newt as he travels to New York City. Unfortunately, things in the city are going awry and Newt adds to the chaos through his clumsiness and lack of knowledge about North American wizarding culture. Tina Goldstein, a low level MACUSA (magical government) employee is overstepping her duties and trying to deal with anti-magic protests when she comes across Newt and realizes that some of his beasts have escaped from his case. The two team up with Queenie, Tina's sister, and a no-maj (muggle) named Jacob in an attempt to recapture all of Newt's escaped beasts before they cause trouble or expose magic. However, a dark force, later identified as an obscurial (a force created by a young wizard's suppressed powers), is wreaking havoc on the city. It turns out that a few people are pretending to be something other than they are: a Second Salemer is a powerful obscurial, and a MACUSA auror is none other than the infamous criminal Gellert Grindlewald. As all of these magical forces are let loose on New York, the wizarding community risks exposure in a country that is far less accepting and/or oblivious to such things than the United Kingdom appears to be in the Harry Potter series.
I was quite pleased with this movie. It had all the magic and wonder of Harry Potter, with a whole new amazing cast of characters, including some rather strong women. It is a story of outsiders, just like the original series. And the atmosphere was magical, secretive, free-spirited - everything that the 1920s should be and more. I walked away from this movie feeling like I was prepared to go on an adventure. It was fitting, too, considering that I was flying to England only a month or two after that.
I know that some people question why the Potterverse is still expanding, but this is a great addition to the wizarding world. The characters are quirky, but loveable. The most upsetting thing was that Jacob was not allowed to remember any of what happened. Luckily, we get a hint that maybe he will remember one day. That's all I'll say. Just watch it.
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