Distractions is what
everyone was trying to get away from the post-election travesty, whether it’s
with junk food or binging on Netflix. Susan Wloszczyna stated in her review, “But
what we really need are the right distractions, ones that lift spirits, engage
minds, delight eyes and don’t pander to our baser instincts, including those
alarming posts that dribble down social media feeds, stirring up unease about
the future.”
Maybe a story beautified
with fantasy accessories that’s spun off from the Harry Potter universe. One
that looks on certain problems as the sudden danger of killing a magical
community to an prejudiced public while No-Majs, the Americanized word for
Muggles, are equally hated by wizards and witches. Some young people are forced
to hide their outer appearances by those who hurt physically and
psychologically upon them. Don’t forget there’s a strange deadly force that
somehow was released, making huge destruction and fear in its path.
Ok, that doesn’t sound
very fun, does it?
Wloszczyna said, “But
what if I tell you that J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find
Them,” which dips into the dark side fairly regularly, is at its best when it
serves as a more exotic version of all those cute puppy and kitten antics that
fill your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts? Instead of dogs sporting
holiday attire or cats falling off kitchen counters, you can go “aww” when a
naughty Niffler, a mole-duck-billed platypus hybrid, goes on a crime spree
while greedily stuffing gobs of shiny objects such as coins and gems into its
belly pouch. Or when a majestic giant Thunderbird, destined to live in the
wilds of Arizona, spreads its eagle-like wings. Maybe a teeny leafy twig-like
critter known as a Bowtruckle, reminiscent of a shrunken Groot from “Guardians
of the Galaxy,” is more your style. There’s also an amorous Erumpent, a
big-butt cross between a hippo and an elephant, who causes a ruckus at a zoo.
That this expansive menagerie and more are able to fit into the best piece of
enchanted traveling luggage in a movie since Mary Poppins' bottomless carpet
bag is a welcome bonus.”
Besides, who better to
make this entertaining but important cure for our country’s devastated time
Rowling? It was her tolerant rich imagination that gave theater audiences comfort
and joy after 9/11 with “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” the first of
eight released movies based on her huge-selling book series about the
adventures of a boy wizard. Yes, there was a huge, near-death evil loose
throughout the franchise. However, there was also so much goodness, thoughtful
wisdom and noble decency to be seen amongst the wand-waving residents of
Hogwarts Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Now, 15 years later,
and never too late, comes this determined first entry in a promised five film
franchise, directed with more unusual style than usual by “Harry Potter’ strong
David Yates. Rowling’s debut as a screenwriter is inspired by a same-named,
catalog-style textbook that is apparently to be tasked as a “magizoologist” and
Hogwarts graduate named Newt Scamander, played by Eddie Redmayne in weird shy-guy
phase. Wloszczyna said, “Prediction: I expect this endearingly clumsy oddball
guardian of endangered magical creatures might just become a spokes symbol for
animal rescue groups, even if he keeps on having to recapture them after they
escape from his suitcase.”
Wloszczyna continued, “Instead
of the contemporary academic setting with pubescent schoolkids and imperious
wizened professors, the focus is on Newt and his John Candy-class roly-poly
sidekick and No-Maj, Jacob (Dan Fogler, a onetime Tony winner and victim of too
many dumb bro-coms who buoyantly fulfills his duty as our civilian surrogate).”
They soon join forces with a duo of sibling spell casters – brave Tina (Katherine
Waterston), an ex-investigator for the Magical Congress of the United States of
America (MACUSA for short), and engaging Queenie (Alison Sudol), a mind-reading
flapper – who both would make Samantha from “Bewitched” proud with their magic-casting
kitchen skills.
Wloszczyna said, “The
action is rooted in a make-believe New York City during the Roaring Twenties, a
period of prosperity and hedonistic pursuits but also repression and
intolerance that took such forms as Prohibition and the rise of the KKK. These
more frightening impulses of the era materialize in such metaphorical figures
such as a puritanical witch-hating Carrie Nation type (Samantha Morton,
scowling all the way) who rails against the use of magic to her impressionable
young charges.” Meanwhile, Colin Farrell frowns as the head of MECUSA security
who hides a few secrets up his sleeve and we learn there is the powerful dark
wizard Gellert Grindelwald is hiding after causing danger in Europe.
If that sounds like a
lot of material to take in, it is. There are plot points that go by without
being completely explained and characters who will hopefully be given more time
in the next sequels. This is really common in movies lately, action mainly
happens in destroying urban buildings. If you’ve seen one major building access
road torn from piece to piece and spreading huge amounts asphalt rubble, you
have seen every one of them. Wloszczyna said, “But the actual period
re-creation and production design of a Jazz Age Big Apple is quite the
accomplishment. I especially enjoyed the foray into a hidden wizard-friendly
speakeasy with a sassy elfin blues singer where Newt attempts to strike a
bargain with the establishment’s owner, a shady goblin named Gnarlack played
via motion-capture by well-cast Ron Perlman.”
As with many
complicated stories, it is best to just sit back at some time and enjoy the experience.
You will quickly know if you feel the Potter magic if you light up when a part
of “Hedwig’s Theme” – the name of Potter’s owl – is heard early on the
soundtrack or if your eyes stand up when you hear “Lestrange” mentioned. As
Jacob says after learning his memory of all the incredible things he’s
witnessed will be erased for his own protection, “I don’t got the brains to
make this up.” However, Rowling definitely does. Let’s hope the sequels of the “Fantastic
Beasts” franchise are even better.
Rowling and director David
Yates announced that this franchise would have five films and would take place
between the years 1926 and 1945.
The first in the
franchise was reachable and has a kind of similar Harry Potter feel to it – a lighthearted
story, funny, with many nice moments of the young wizard learning new magic,
finding out how to ride a broom or finding new amazing creatures – the new film
is a completely different movie altogether.
The Crimes of
Grindelwald gives higher stakes, and falls deep into the dark world of sarcastic
evils, prejudice and dishonesty to give us a creation of storylines to set up
the final three sequels.
The film starts in
1927, shortly after what happened in the last film. Newt Scamander is back in
London after his fight in New York, and is banned from leaving the UK by order
of the British Ministry of Magic. However, with the help of a young Professor
Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), he sneaks over to France to prevent the evil
wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), a dangerous anti-Muggle leader, and simultaneously,
search for Credence (Ezra Miller) a destructive wizard Grindelwald wants to enlist.
While giving us many
new characters, The Crimes of Grindelwald also sees many beloved characters
from the first film return – the young wizard and Newt’s love interest Tina
Goldstein, her sister Queenie and the hilarious Jacob Kowlaski, whose energetic
character steals every scene he’s in once again.
Also, the romantic subplots
still are great throughout the new film, Jacob and Queenie’s incidents give a
nice comedic delivery, while Tina and Newt’s awkward “Do you care about me, or
not” teasing are still enjoyable and pleasant to watch.
The visuals in The Crimes
of Grindelwald are beautiful, and maybe even better than the first film. TatatBunnag said on her review, “From the stunning CGI work on many new exotic
magical creatures found inside newt's Mary Poppins-style wizard suitcase to the
hugely impressive set designs, including the 1920s atmosphere of three
different cities -- New York, London, and Paris.”
Of course, another
highlight for Harry Potter fans will be seeing scenes that go back to the
magical school of Hogwarts, long before Harry Potter enrolls there. Back when
we see the young Albus Dumblebore still giving lessons in class.
The best character in
the new film is all Grindelwald. Bunnag said, “While lately we got tired of
seeing Johnny Depp's over-the-top Jack Sparrow theatrics, it's refreshing to
see him portray a creepy villain this time with his bleached-blonde hair, sunken
cheeks and haunting mismatched eyes.” Having similarities with Lord Voldemort,
Grindelwald’s character is a completely interesting character to follow, or to call
as the latest amazing villain in the Harry Potter universe.
Even though there are a
few good twists and surprises, along with some great action, one of the
problems with The Crimes of Grindelwald is that it doesn’t get out enough in
its own respect. After watching the film, it looks like a set-up for the future
sequel in the future. You could easily forget all the complex plot twists while
waiting for the third movie to be released – and that’s not going to be
released until the end of 2020.
I have to be honest,
the sequel is good, but I don’t think it’s as good as the first movie. The first
movie felt like a welcome return to the Harry Potter world, but the sequel didn’t
really do what the title said and it felt like a lot of stories were thrown in
and kept switching without having a lot of focus. You can watch the movie, but
I don’t think a lot of people will like it. That might be the reason why it
might not be getting a lot of good reviews.
Thanks for joining in
on my review today, check in next Friday for the conclusion of “Vietnam War
Movie Month.”
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