Or as I originally typed Fantastic BEATS, which would have been a very different film…..
As always I turned to IMDb for a quick summary of the plot and they let me down:
The second instalment of the Fantastic Beasts series featuring the adventures of magizoologist Newt Scamander.
That is a prime example of the desire not to give anything away veering hard towards being wilfully obscure.
So basically the film starts with a lengthy escape sequence where Grindelwald gets out, as we all probably thought he would, and heads off to Paris to plot mayhem and havoc. The Ministry of Magic wants Newt to help them but he doesn’t want to work with their team despite the urging of his big brother. Dumbledore then persuades Newt to hunt down and help Credence (who has survived the first film) and in the process face Grindelwald because he (Dumbledore) can’t do so.
Then it all kicks off.
Everyone who survived the first film turns up in Paris and although the story does move things forward a fair bit we are clearly being set up for the next instalment.
The good stuff:
- the creature design is stunning as always
- Jude Law makes a dashing Dumbledore
- I’m still very fond of Newt and I like his brother Theseus also
The meh stuff:
- whatever you may think of the casting of Mr Depp, he is fine in the part I guess
- maybe too many characters, several of whom did not have enough to do
The stuff I did not like:
- oh boy, some Choices were definitely made, including one that doesn’t really make sense
- Tina being sniffy
- and the thing I HATED – Queenie is absolutely my favourite character and I am not at all happy with the direction they have sent her in. Not. At. All.
But despite my feelings veering towards this being a bit messy as a film, I will be watching the next instalment. Of course, I will. That is how they all make their money.
Dazzling details: directed by David Yates, FB: TCOG is 2hrs 11 long and rated 12A for moderate fantasy threat (and questionable plot developments IMHO)
Bride of the Book God 2 