Finally, the world of Harry Potter has made its way back to the big screen with the first instalment to the Fantastic Beasts series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Of course, as with any prequel there are a whole slew of new faces to get used to in the Wizarding World, with Eddie Redmayne fronting proceedings as Newt Scamander.
Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Redmayne is an utter professional in the role, blossoming before our eyes as one of Britain’s most incredible and infectious talents. Completely charming and paternal towards the beasts he holds so dear, the character is one you instantly root for; something that in this world is important right off the bat. Opposite Katherine Waterston’s Tina, the pair do a great job of allowing their natural chemistry to shine as they do their best to exist in this anything-but-ordinary world.
Dan Fogler is also great as Kowalski, while Samantha Morton and Colin Farrell do well to maintain interest in their own roles as Mary Lou and Graves respectively. It’s a star-studded cast, but they’re not there on names alone. They each bring something fantastic to the movie.
What some may not know is that this is J.K. Rowling’s first time serving as a screenwriter. Thankfully, she knocks it out of the park. Writing a script is of course a completely different task to writing a best-selling novel series, but she looks to be a natural, giving some great material for director David Yates to work with. Similarly, he does an incredible job.
Of course, the real test of this movie would be in its special effects department, who have had to bring a whole menagerie of different creatures to the screen. They do an impeccable job. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever been more enamoured with a fictional cast of beasts; doesn’t everybody want to take a Niffler home?
Never failing to maintain my attention, this movie is one I can see myself re-watching time and time again. It’s a real feel-good family hit and gives insight into a slice of the Wizarding World we’ve not yet seen on the big screen. Is it as good as the Harry Potter movies of the past? It is indeed. Is it even better? We’ll leave that one up to you to decide…
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is out now on digital download, 4K Ultra HD, 3D, Blu-ray and DVD.
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