Fantastic Beasts is a strange animal. It has been such a strange franchise and has been coasting off of the phenomenal success of JK Rowling’s Wizarding World. From the get-go, they charted out a five-movie series, but it seems that they didn’t have a plot laid out, as it has felt so aimless throughout.
In The Secrets of Dumbledore, we follow Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) once again, as he and his allies attempt to stop Grindelwald’s rise to power. Meanwhile, Dumbledore (Jude Law) makes an unpredictable plan in order to prevent the villains from being able to magically see the future and crush their opposition.
Joining the cast is the recast Grindelwald, played by Mads Mikkelsen. His version of the nefarious villain is completely different than Johnny Depp’s over-the-top bleach-blonde menace. Instead, Mikkelsen plays him as calm and methodical, always believing he’s one step ahead of the heroes. Even the best Polyjuice Potion can’t convince me the character is the same.
Mikkelsen has proven that he can play any role, but there is an immediate disconnect with the recast. He gives a far better performance as a charismatic villain that many in the wizarding community could get behind. Allowing he and Jude Law to share scenes gives more weight behind their previous relationship and the magical truce they formed.
The problem is, there’s very little time dedicated to fleshing out these two characters. Dumbledore has a very checkered past in regards to how he has treated muggles, that is only alluded to here. There is plenty of time to do so in this two hour 22 minute movie, yet the plot is given half effort in a series that claims to be about Fantastic Beasts.
Newt Scamander deserves his own franchise that’s dedicated to catching magical creatures and caters to families with young children. However, infusing the heavier end-of-the-world stakes of Grindelwald and friends just muddies the Black Lake waters. It’s unfortunate because Redmayne gets to have fun in the role again after a very disappointing second installment.
Outside of Dumbledore’s subplot with Grindelwald and the troubled Creedence (Ezra Miller), the movie is actually pretty great. Scamander and his allies are given next to no instruction on how to team up and save the world, and in that way the plot is structured closely to that of every HP movie.
Joining the cast is Jessica Williams as “Lally” Hicks, a Hogwarts teacher who helps Newt in his quest. Williams bring energy to every scene and elevates every actor she appears with. Our anchor character is once again the muggle, Jacob (Dan Fogler). While completely wasted in the second movie, he’s a great focal point once again. Honestly, the characters within this movie are written with finesse.
It’s the plot that drags everything down. Hardcore fans might appreciate the inner politics between wizards and witches, but the story just kind of finds itself leading towards a magical election. It adds to the world-building of this universe, but it doesn’t help the pacing. The first half hour is nonstop exposition that somehow keeps the characters and audience in the dark. Once you grasp what the end of the movie is supposed to become, you can’t help but shrug your shoulders.
I really didn’t mind watching Fantastic Beasts 3 in the moment. The score is great, there is plenty of magic to behold, the beasts are actually instrumental in the story, and the characters are totally enjoyable. Yet, the more I thought about the story and the logic behind character motivations, the less it made sense. If you love the Harry Potter movies AND this franchise, you’ll be won over with this sequel. It’s just under the first one as far as enjoyment goes. Yet, if you haven’t boarded the Hogwarts Express for these prequels, it won’t do much to win you over. C+
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