FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE – Review

The Harry Potter prequel fantasy series continues in FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE, with shy, magical-creatures zoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) and the younger Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) in a political thriller plot as they try to prevent villainous wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelson) from winning an election to lead the wizarding world, and start a war on Muggles, the non-magical humans.

This is the third movie in J.K. Rowlings’ Harry Potter prequel series, which started in the 1920s and is planned to continue into the 1940s. It is directed by David Yates from a script by J.K. Rowlings and Steve Kloves. The series has not really caught on like the original Hogwarts films but this installment is a notable improvement over the previous one, although it is less about the “fantastic beasts” in the title and the darker story may be over the head of younger fans.

In this third prequel, Johnny Depp has been replaced as Grindelwald by Mads Mikkelsen, who plays the villain with more chilling reserve. Professor Dumbledore (Law) and Newt Scamander (Redmayne) find themselves blocked in their efforts to stop Grindelwald (Mikkelsen) in his drive to take over the Wizard world, after Grindelwald captures a particular newborn magical creature. Part of the problem is a old magical spell that prevents either Dumbledore or Grindelwald from directly attacking each other. Dumbledore and Newt form a team to thwart Grindelwald’s plan, with an assortment of other wizards, including Newt’s diplomat brother Theseus (Callum Turner), Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson), Eulalie Hicks (Jessica Williams) as well as Newt’s Muggle friend, baker Jake Kowalski (Dan Fogler), to carry out a secret plan to prevent Grindelwald from being elected leader. Meanwhile, Grindelwald is running on a platform of Wizard supremacy over Muggles, backed with a growing group of supporters, as well as wizards Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) and Queenie Goldstein, Jake’s old flame. There are a host of other characters on both sides, too numerous to name them all.

This film is more political spy thriller than a chase like the previous two. This sequel is set in 1937, and even partly in Berlin, and the Nazi references are strong here, with Grindelwald running for leader of the Wizards by asserting their supremacy over the non-magical ordinary humans. It is rather dark stuff for kids.

This third movie in the series seems an improvement over the second one particularly, with a more focused, coherent story. While those fantastic creatures Newt collects are still present, the creatures take more a backseat in this sequel. Instead, the story is really about the people and the intrigues in the political power struggle. Like the original Harry Potter films, the impressive, mostly British cast are a major asset.

The visual effects are dazzling and the fantasy landscapes are more impressive in this installment. The visuals create both really marvelous fantasy landscapes and detailed historical ones, with the period costumes and details as part of the appeal.

But it still seems a bit unclear who this series is aimed at. The creatures and the magical worlds draw in the younger audience but then the adventure story seems a bit too dark and grown-up. The original Harry Potter series solved this by being about children at a school for wizards, grounding it in childhood, even if they faced grave dangers, but this one, with adult characters, seems too grown-up for the younger audiences yet in some ways too kid-like for adults.

Still, the films provides entertainment with its dazzling visuals and the fine cast who revisit Harry Potter’s world with younger versions of some characters in that world. While the story may lose some younger audience members, they should still enjoy the movie’s comic moments and those little creatures, including one mischievous plant. The story is well-plotted and the Nazi references create an extra chill. There are plenty of intrigues, thriller close-calls, complicated relationships, secrets and surprises, and the final confrontation is thrilling as well as provides a clear, satisfying end. The story is both wrapped up well and leaves the door open for something more.

Fans of the first two FANTASTIC CREATURES movies should enjoy this one too, especially since the story is an improvement on the second one. But for fans who have been less taken with this series generally, this installment may not change many minds. Still, with its excellent cast and wonderful special effects, it delivers good popcorn fantasy entertainment.

FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE opens in theaters on Friday, Apr. 15.

RATING: 2 out of 4 stars