Fantastic Beasts : The Crimes of Grindelwald

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One year after the events of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) is tasked with finding Credence (played by Ezra Miller) by Albus Dumbledore (played by Jude Law) before he can be recruited by Gellart Grindelwald (played by Johnny Depp). The acting may just be this movie’s greatest strength. Returning cast members such as Redmayne, Miller, and Dan Fogler once again offer strong performances with solid emotion. These characters have grown and developed. However, it’s the performances by newcomers Jude Law and Johnny Depp that truly stand out to me. Depp as Grindelwald feels like a very different beast from Voldemort. If Voldemort was a Hitler-like figure, Grindelwald feels much more like a Charles Manson-type. He knows how to be persuasive, often acting much more like a charismatic cult figure. Jude Law shows shades of the Dumbledore that we will come to know, but still manages to add his own energy to the role that really cannot and should not be denied. The visual effects are solid, even if they aren’t necessarily the best effects in the franchise. However, in a lot of ways, the movie’s plot is what lets the overall product down a touch. At points, the film feels overstuffed. There are flashbacks used in the film that don’t really feel like they come into the story naturally, and they actually kind of muddle things. There are points where I feel that this movie borders on relying on the easter eggs hinting at the greater Harry Potter universe. It may never truly cross that line, but it does come dangerously close to doing so. Actually, I like a lot of these easter eggs in terms of the story. There are characters in this film who act more as protagonists within the story, especially knowing that particular characters end up in more antagonistic roles later down the line. The film’s ending does have me curious as to what’s to come for the Fantastic Beasts franchise, especially because I don’t know if I necessarily like the twist reveal or not just yet. From a character standpoint, I wish J.K. Rowling (who once again wrote the film’s screenplay) would have given Grindelwald and Dumbledore more to do. The two men who truly stood out just weren’t in the movie nearly enough in my opinion. Overall, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is an interesting movie for me. I think it is the weakest movie in the franchise. But, I also have to wonder if the third Fantastic Beasts film will make me enjoy it a lot more in hindsight. As it is while I watch and review it in the moment, this film is still a fun enough ride, despite its glaring flaws.  

6 / 10