Page 20 - The Flickering Cauldron Magazine - May 2022

Moving onto a young Albus Dumbledore played by Jude Law, most film critics write that he is mostly shown within the movie above all the characters. This is true in Dumbledore fashion of elusiveness, but after all the film was based on him, so it was expected. Jude Law is delightful to watch as any character, but I felt there were quite a few plot holes in his character (will let you be the judge of that when you watch it). Jude brings passion, emotion and sensitivity to the character and was enjoyable to watch.
Magizoolist Newt Scamander played by Eddie Redmayne and one of my favourite characters in the franchise, is shown less in the movie as one would have liked and works at Dumbledore's bidding, a bit like our Mr Potter, rather than what he should be doing, and during bits of the film there are some moving and somewhat funny moments in which Newt portrays the character he was introduced into the franchise as, a Magizoolist. Still, he was wonderful to watch in action, and played well aside Theseus Scamander played by Callium Turner, as his brother.
Our lovable muggle Jacob Kowalski played by Dan Fogler, never giving up on getting his Queenie back, is as lovable as ever and is given a magical role by Dumbledore bringing humour in snippets to the movie.
Then there is the confused, mixed up and somewhat chaotic Credence Narebone played by Ezra Miller. He is quite a prominent character in the movie, but it feels like he had been put in the shadows and on occasion I wanted to jump into the screen and give him and his magic a slap to wake up.
With new characters introduced, were fun to watch as always, but with some there is no back story, so they may well have been cardboard cutouts in the movie, but well acted nevertheless.
There is also a main character missing in Porpentina Goldstein played by Katherine Waterson, the love of Newt's life, and without any explanation other than when Newt was asked where she was he said 'She is busy' that was it, only to turn up at the end! No explanation! So, if anyone is wanting to see this love romance blooming and going somewhere, you will be sadly disappointed.
The magical creatures, AKA fantastic beasts, well, they could never disappoint in any form or fashion, all were amazing and some good for more than a few laughs, but the new Grindelwald brings a cold violence towards them to suit his needs and in places, it was quite dark and sad, so do be warned.
I felt like I had missed a scene or a movie inbetween to explain why characters were doing what they were doing, where they had been, and wondered what had gone on in places. Plot holes I do believe they are called.
My conclusion though is that I thoroughly enjoyed the movie, how could you not, as an avid fan of this franchise. Yes, it did lack a little 'Je ne sais quoi' somewhat, but, in fact I will be watching it again when it streams, and will enjoy it all over again nevertheless.
Would I pay to go to see the movie, knowing what I know? The answer is simply YES, nothing beats the big screen and the fun of going to the movies. For me, irrelevant of the above, I completely love the fantasy and magic of this franchise and the characters played within and will enjoy whatever they place before me.
I give this movie 4*** out of 5
20 | The Flickering Cauldron® Magazine - Film Review, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Lettie