Looking back at “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themâ” it’s easy to get swept up in the dazzling visuals and the return to the wizarding world⤠The film promised a new eraâ a fresh perspective on magicâ and a deeper exploration of creatures beyond the familiar owls and cats of Hogwarts⤠While the initial hype was undeniableâ a critical re-evaluation reveals a film with both captivating strengths and noticeable weaknessesâ prompting a deeper dive into the narrative choices and overall impact of this extension of the Harry Potter universe⤠This retrospective seeks to explore the magicâ and the lack thereofâ that surrounds ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’â¤
A Visual Spectacle with a Narrative Hiccup
Undeniablyâ the film’s visual effects were a major draw⤠The creatures themselves were brilliantly realizedâ each possessing a unique personality and design⤠The Niffler’s penchant for shiny objectsâ the Bowtruckle’s anxious attachment to Newtâ and the Thunderbird’s majestic presence all contributed to a vibrant and engaging world⤠Howeverâ the plotâ while initially intriguingâ often felt secondary to the creature showcase⤠The core conflictâ involving the Obscurusâ felt underdevelopedâ and the motivations of certain characters lacked sufficient depthâ¤
The Strength of Newt Scamander
- A Different Kind of Hero: Newtâ unlike Harry Potterâ is not a chosen one destined for greatness⤠He is a compassionate and dedicated magizoologistâ more comfortable with creatures than peopleâ¤
- Eddie Redmayne’s Performance: Redmayne perfectly embodies Newt’s awkward charm and unwavering dedication to his creaturesâ¤
- A Focus on Care and Understanding: Newt’s approach to magic is rooted in understanding and protecting magical creaturesâ offering a refreshing contrast to the more combative approach often seen in the Harry Potter seriesâ¤
Comparing ‘Fantastic Beasts’ to its Predecessor
| Feature | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Potentially a broader audienceâ including adults who grew up with Harry Potter⤠| Primarily aimed at children and young adults⤠|
| Narrative Focus | Creature-centricâ with a subplot involving a darker magical force⤠| Coming-of-age story centered around a young wizard’s discovery of his magical abilities and his fight against evil⤠|
| World-Building | Expands the wizarding world beyond Britainâ introducing new magical cultures⤠| Establishes the core elements of the wizarding world in Britain⤠|
The film’s attempts to branch out into darker themesâ particularly with the Obscurus and Credence Barebone’s strugglesâ felt somewhat at odds with the whimsical tone established by the fantastic beasts themselves⤠While exploring these themes is commendableâ the execution felt rushed and lacked the emotional depth necessary to truly resonate with the audience⤠The potential was thereâ but the overall pacing and narrative choices ultimately detracted from the impactâ¤
Looking Ahead: A Mixed Legacy
Ultimatelyâ ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ serves as an interestingâ albeit flawedâ addition to the wizarding world⤠While the visual spectacle and the introduction of Newt Scamander are definite highlightsâ the narrative inconsistencies and underdeveloped plot points leave something to be desired⤠The film’s legacy will likely be defined by its potentialâ and whether the subsequent films in the series can build upon its foundation and address its shortcomings;
I remember walking out of the cinema after seeing it for the first time⤠I was initially captivated⤠The Niffler scene alone had me in stitchesâ and the sheer variety of creatures felt like a treasure trove of new stories waiting to be told⤠I immediately pre-ordered the companion bookâ eager to delve deeper into the lore of each beast⤠Howeverâ after a few viewingsâ I started to notice the cracks⤠The plot felt a bit thinâ and the characters surrounding Newtâ while charmingâ didn’t quite grab me with the same intensity as the core trio from Harry Potter⤠Queenie Goldsteinâ for exampleâ felt a little one-dimensionalâ relying heavily on her legilimency as her primary character traitâ¤
My Personal Creature Ranking
Let’s be honestâ the creatures were the real stars of the show⤠After countless re-watches and hours spent poring over the “Fantastic Beasts” bookâ I’ve compiled my personal ranking:
Top 3 Fantastic Beasts (According to Me)
- The Niffler: Pure chaos in a fluffy package⤠Every scene with the Niffler was goldâ¤
- The Bowtruckle (Pickett): Pickett’s anxiety and unwavering loyalty to Newt made him instantly endearing⤠I even tried to make a little Pickett out of twigs once â it wasn’t very successful!
- The Thunderbird: Majestic and powerfulâ the Thunderbird’s role in erasing the memories of New Yorkers was pivotal to the plotâ¤
I even tried to recreate some of the magical effects at home using simple editing software⤠My attempts to make my cat disappear into a suitcase wereâ¤â¤â¤ less than convincing⤠But it reinforced my appreciation for the visual artistry of the filmâ¤
The Lingering Questions
Despite the visual appeal and the introduction of fascinating creaturesâ I still have some lingering questions about “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them;” Did the film truly need to be tied to the Harry Potter universe? Could it have stood on its own as a unique story about magical creatures? And were the darker themes of the Obscurus adequately exploredâ or were they simply used as a convenient plot device? These are the questions that keep me pondering the film long after the credits roll⤠I truly believe that the film could have achieved more and gone deeper into the themes it exploredâ¤
Looking backâ I can say that âFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ was a funâ but ultimately flawed cinematic experience that I enjoyed immensely⤠The creatures were brilliantâ and the world-building was intriguing⤠I remain hopeful that the series will eventually live up to its full potentialâ¤
