puppetmaker | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: A Review

This is the first film from J.K. Rowling’s Wizard World that I didn’t know the ending to. All the Harry Potter films came out after the books so we knew where the story was going before stepping into the movie theater. This one I purposely avoid reading about or watching the videos or seeking spoilers out on line. The only thing I saw, other than the commercials on TV, was Eddie Redmayne’s defense of being a Hufflepuff which was pretty amusing but had chuck-all to do with the film.

Caroline has been speculating with her friends since she first heard that they were making this film and they came up with some pretty wild theories based on the book the movie is named after.

The movie is based on a book that Ms. Rowling wrote for the Comic Relief charity and was published first back in 2001. It was published with another book entitled Qudditch through the Ages proving that Harry Potter fans want more information about the world she created. Ariel got these books when they came out. Caroline got her own set and the Tale of the Beetlebard when the books came out in hard cover back in 2013.

I wondered how they were going to take a book that is basically a guide to magical creatures and turn it into a film. It would be like taking the Star Wars guide to lightsabers and turning it into a cinema experience.

They did a fine job of it and I, as a customer, and quite satisfied with my experience.

Using the author of the book, Newt Scamander, as the main character was very clever. Setting it in America was an interesting idea and expands the franchise to our shores. Setting it in the 1920s was an excellent idea not only because it is before Harry Potter even existed much less James and Lilly but it is a time period that we know about but not too well. You could see this sort of adventure happening at that time.

Overall I though the story was enjoyable. The characters and creatures were introduced in good fashion so I was able to follow who was who without difficulty. The set design was sumptuous and the costume design better be up for an Oscar this year.

There were the off jokes about what British people call something and what an American calls it. There was the fish out of water character when a Muggle gets dragging into the whole situation. There were family secrets revealed and a lot of set up for further films but none of it felt like setup for the next film but very much a part of this film.

Now I understand why everyone is hot on Eddie Redmayne. He is a fine actor who does a lot with what could have been a one note character but between the writing and his acting, I enjoyed finding out more about someone that is best known as the author of a book in the Wizarding World. His quest is a noble one and I will go see more of it if they make it. I especially enjoyed how he interacted with people and then how he interacted with the creatures. The contrast was amazing.

The rest of the cast did a fine job. Dan Folger was a lot of fun as Kowalski who finds out the hard way that magic is real. Ezra Miller is an actor to watch. I foresee a long and diverse acting career for him. Alison Sudol was a find for me. I loved how she played her character. Katherine Waterson was good as Tina. The writing served her well in revealing her character’s past.

I do think it needs to be seen on the large screen especially when we are introduced to the creatures because there is a lot going on in the corners. 3-D was interesting and there were a couple of scenes that looked cool but it is not necessary to really enjoy the film.

I didn’t find out until after I saw the film that this is the first of five films planned for this series and I am looking forward to all five.

I am grateful for an enjoyable film that entertained me and left me wanting more.