Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

After the CGI shambles of ÔÇÿThe HobbitÔÇÖ, the endless swathe of Marvel and DC releases, and the largely likeable ÔÇÿStar WarsÔÇÖ sequel, the Harry Potter franchise made its lurch into the age of the reboot this week with ÔÇÿFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemÔÇÖ.

J.K. Rowling had so far focused only on a narrow sliver of the magical world by chronicling one boyÔÇÖs journey through school. It was refreshing then to see the film step away from Hogwarts and try to flesh out the fairly vague world that HarryÔÇÖs adventures take him through. ÔÇÿBeastsÔÇÖ opens with British ÔÇÿMagizoologistÔÇÖ Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arriving in New York with his case of creatures, successfully negotiating customs before the case is bust open and all hell breaks loose.

Set against a backdrop of suspicion from American Muggles towards wizards, with a mysterious force wreaking havoc on the streets of New York, itÔÇÖs almost a shame to see Scamander and his quirky animals thrown into the deep end. Although it may not have fit the bill for a blockbuster, thereÔÇÖs definitely a more light-hearted version of this film that could have focused more on the titular Beasts (and where to find them!). Even as Scamander implores his fellow wizards to understand the animals, the film itself lurches towards the human stories as it progresses.

Because of its animal ensemble, ÔÇÿBeastsÔÇÖ relies more heavily on CGI than any other ÔÇÿPotterÔÇÖ film and it largely comes off well, the weird and wonderful wildlife being impressively rendered. In terms of plot they however they are mainly there for scenery, and as other story threads are introduced (some of them fairly pointless) it can be hard to reconcile whether theyÔÇÖre really important to whatÔÇÖs going on.

Among the ensemble Colin Farrell deserves credit for his steely showing as a Wizarding enforcer, while the appearance of a group of orphaned witch-hunters makes for some unsettling scenes. ScamanderÔÇÖs companions, including two wizarding sisters and an oafish Muggle, provide laughs and more importantly give us a route into NewtÔÇÖs character.

If ÔÇÿBeastsÔÇÖ is any indication, we will hopefully get to see what wizarding life is like in all corners of the globe over the upcoming films. ThatÔÇÖs not to say RowlingÔÇÖs world-building is great; there are inconsistencies abound for the cinema cynic among us. But with any luck we might even get so see Newt in the field actually finding his ÔÇÿFantastic BeastsÔÇÖ rather than grappling with forces beyond his control.

 

Dillon Eastoe