'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'| CREDIT: WARNER BROS. PICTURES
It is easy to guess that Potterheads would love to indulge in anything that comes from the magical world of wizards and witches, but Fantastic Beasts does not seem to make the cut. While Mads Mikkelsen as Grindelwald is a true upgrade for the film series, the films did not manage to capture the audience as the original Harry Potter franchise did.
So, how does Fantastic Beast tie up to the events of Harry Potter, when both of these happened decades apart? Written by the Potterverse creator J.K. Rowling, the story features the detailed narrative of events only hinted at in the Harry Potter books and films.
Providing a deeper insight into the lives of the magic legends like Dumbledore, Grindelwald, and Newt Scamander, the story shows how the magic world initially saved itself from a threat, very much like the one Voldermort posed in the years of Harry Potter.
While Harry Potter was basically based on a novel and film series focused on kids' entertainment, Fantastic Beasts has a much more nuanced plotline and polished philosophies. Though that could have been carried out well, the first two films in the franchise were overly tiring with their stuffed celebrity cast.
Luckily enough, the franchise has managed to find its footing at last. Now with Mads Mikkelsen and the rich visuals of the Fantastic magical beasts of the latest film, there is hope for the wizard lore to find some love in the magical community.
The latest film at least is true to its name. There are a few secrets of Dumbledore that the Potterhead community wanted to know for a long time. Fantastic Beasts and Secrets of Dumbledore managed to unwrap the most intriguing of it!
The film begins with a meeting of Albus Dumbledore, portrayed by the dapper Jude Law, and Gellert Grindelwald, played by Mikkelsen. Mikkelsen came in swooping to play the role when a disgraced Johnny Depp was removed from the series on charges of domestic violence by Amber Heard. The case still awaits a decision.
It is here in a cafe that even before the title credits begin to roll where Dumbledore admits his love for Grindelwald. And if there was ever a gay moment in the history of the magic community, this specific revelation trumps all of the others. The internet couldn't be happier with the confirmation this brings to years of speculation about the relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald.
While Dumbledore and queer fans alike would have loved David Yeats to take a moment and see how things went down between the two estranged lovers, the director is quick to shift the scene. Now a veteran of seven films in the Potter franchise, Yeats quickly shows Scamander in the middle of delivering a Qilin. Qilins are fish-like creatures that are also somewhere in the middle of a small dragon and a deer, and Scamander is played by Eddie Redmayne.
Apparently, Qilins are a tressured in the magical community as they are known for their pure hearts. Their purity makes them vary from being duped and are also blessed with the ability of sight as they look into the future.
Credence Barebone, the antagonist following in the footsteps of Grindelwald, sees a chance to get his hands on the little Qilin just born with Scamander's care. While he steals the beast from his crib, the twin of the Qilin is left behind.
The story soon takes off on the fast track with more characters reprising their role in the series. The first is Jacob Kowalski, the muggle baker played by Dan Fogler. Then there is Eulalie Hicks, the nerdish magic wielder played by Jessica Williams, Queenie Goldstein, played by Alison Sudol, Yusuf Kama, played by William Nadylam, and Thesus, Nwt's brother, played by Callum Turner.
What follows is an utter show of chaos as the muggle and the mags alike try stopping Grindelwald with the help of Yates and perform some of the most magnificent magic anyone has seen in the Potterverse. The common rules of physics and chemistry do not apply to the magical realms and it is fascinating to see the movie challenge all we think we know about the world.
Built with care and credence, the universe in Fantastic Beasts holds as much genuine substance as in the films Harry Potter. While the awe factor could be a little less considering that fans have already expected so much from the Harry Potter prequel franchise, four-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood weaves incredible magic into the costumes of the cast.
The rest of the awe-factor is brought in by Stuart Craig, who builds a bridge between the CGI and the editing of the film scenes. Based somewhere in the 1930s, the world-building is of utmost beauty considering the aesthetic of the time.
The movie also sheds light on the Fascist propaganda preached at the time, along with the building threat of the World War at the hands of Hitler, his supporters, and their threats. Then, of course, there is Grindelwald threatening to bring down the world to ashes for the sake of the
"greater good."
Needless to say, the film series has transformed quite a lot from the original kiddish stories of Hogwarts and childish adventures to the real-world problems of a solid PG-13 rated film. While it has some purely delightful magical moments, most of the narration is distinctly focused on an adult audience.
Adding to the difficulties of watching Fantastic Beasts is that while the world-building is great and even charming for veteran Potterverse lovers, it is not so easily understandable for newcomers who just got involved with the films.
Then there are the major plot changes in the film. While initially, it featured the relationship of Newt and Porpentia Goldstein in the thickest of the events, the latest storyline is so much about Miller and Barebone. At least, there are the secrets of Dumbledore and the improvement in his character and plot arc as opposed to his portrayal in Crimes of Grindelwald.
