Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

David Yates (2) (2016)

127min

12A Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Alan Jones

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling's first scriptwriting effort is a transporting fable that opens up a whole new universe of dark supernatural adventure. Newt Scamander (a superbly eccentric Eddie Redmayne) is a collector of magical creatures who travels to 1926 New York to add to the mythical menagerie hidden in his bottomless suitcase. Epic mayhem ensues when a few beasts escape, adding to the already strained tensions between the oppressed wizarding world and its No-Maj (aka muggle) persecutors. Potterverse veteran David Yates returns to direct this splendid escapist romp that brings fantasy wonderment to Rowling's dense sociopolitical storytelling, creating a firm foundation for the intended five-film franchise. All the brilliantly rendered creatures spring to stunning CGI life in a fun, ferocious and fabulous monstrous marathon laced with theme-park thrills, exuberant wit and enchanting invention, motored by Rowling's utterly spellbinding and powerful imagination.

Summary

British author Newt Scamander arrives in 1920s New York with a bagful of magical creatures as part of a global study of fantastic beasts, but gets caught up in a conflict when some of the creatures in his care are accidentally released. With a strange dark force terrorising the city, Newt needs to find some allies to help him round-up the beasts, while saving his own skin in the meantime. Harry Potter prequel, starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Colin Farrell.

Cast & Crew

Newt Scamander Eddie Redmayne

Porpentina Goldstein Katherine Waterston

Jacob Kowalski Dan Fogler

Queenie Goldstein Alison Sudol

Credence Ezra Miller

Percival Graves Colin Farrell (2)

Gnarlack Ron Perlman

Henry Shaw Sr Jon Voight

Mary Lou Barebone Samantha Morton

Seraphina Piquery Carmen Ejogo

Madame Ya Zhou Gemma Chan

Grindelwald Johnny Depp

Lestrange Zoë Kravitz

Modesty Barebone Faith Wood-Blagrove

Chastity Barebone Jenn Murray

Red Dan Hedaya

Beryl Wunmi Mosaku

Director David Yates (2)

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Warner BrosGuidance: Violence.Available on: DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 18 Nov 2016

Drama

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Accessibility Links

David Yates (2) (2016)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

David Yates (2) (2016)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

The Batman begins again: Robert Pattinson movie to resume filming in September

Fantastic Beasts 3 is coming, but has the magic completely gone?

Fantastic Beasts 3 cast confirmed as JK Rowling moves the story to Brazil

Meet the real-life muggles named Harry Potter

JK Rowling describes the next Fantastic Beasts movie in three intriguing words

Fantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald review "a wonder and a joy to behold"

A magical connection between Fantastic Beasts and The Cursed Child has been confirmed

Dumbledore and Grindelwald don't share any scenes in Fantastic Beasts 2 reveals Jude Law

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