Accio Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Holly Wagner, Webmaster

For the first time in five years, on November 18th, potterheads had the opportunity to return to J.K Rowling’s magical universe. As a fan of the original Harry Potter films, I was a little weary of its new spin-off series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. With its eight wildly successful films, the original series is a tough act to follow.

In a movie industry diluted with remakes and sequels, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a refreshing new adventure. Usually, it is difficult to retain the fandom from a previous series into a new one, however this movie manages to maintain the familiar charm of the originals.

Overall, the two series are entirely separate. The new film takes place a lifetime earlier, so fans shouldn’t expect a cameo from the famous trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione.

The film follows Newt Scamander, a Hogwarts dropout and self-proclaimed Magizoologist, with a Mary Poppins esque case filled with magical creatures. He visits New York City in the swinging 20s to release some of his magical creatures into their respective environments.

Two new wizards are introduced in this film, Porpentina and Queenie Goldstein. “Tina” is a headstrong witch who was demoted from her previous job as an Auror (an elite wizarding detective) within the Magical Congress of the United States of America, MACUSA, and seeks a promotion. Queenie is her open-hearted and flirtatious younger sister who is skilled at magical telepathy or Legilimency, (The Harry Potter Lexicon).

A “muggle” or “no-maj” character also joins the crew. Jacob Kowalsky is attempting to get a loan from the bank to open up a bakery when he accidentally exchanges his case full of confections with Newt’s magical case and is sucked into the adventure.

The plot is centered around the concept of the “Obscurus”, which grows in a young wizard who is suppressed from developing their powers. When separated from its host, the “Obscurial” can become an unstoppable black mass, (The Harry Potter Lexicon).

Positives:

  • Overall, the movie was an exciting, colorful and nostalgic representation of the wizarding world in America.
  • The characters and plot are well-developed and there is plenty of material for future instalments.
  • Tina Goldstein is a strong woman and is a good role model for young females.

Negatives:

  • There is an obvious use of CGI. This is to be expected as the nature of the film requires flying, invisible and shapeshifting creatures which cannot be achieved through practical effects.
  • More of the focus was on the “Obscurial” than the “fantastic beasts”