“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” takes us to a new era of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World, decades before Harry Potter and half a world away.Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne (“The Theory of Everything,” “The Danish Girl”) stars in the central role of Magizoologist Newt Scamander, under the direction of David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters.There are growing dangers in the wizarding world of 1926 New York. Something mysterious is leaving a path of destruction in the streets, threatening to expose the wizarding community to the No-Majs (American for Muggles), including the Second Salemers, a fanatical faction bent on eradicating them and the powerful, dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, after wreaking havoc in Europe, has slipped away…and is now nowhere to be found. Unaware of the rising tensions, Newt Scamander arrives in the city nearing the end of a global excursion to research and rescue magical creatures, some of which are safeguarded in the magical hidden dimensions of his deceptively nondescript leather case. But potential disaster strikes when unsuspecting No-Maj Jacob Kowalski inadvertently lets some of Newt’s beasts loose in a city already on edge—a serious breach of the Statute of Secrecy that former Auror Tina Goldstein jumps on, seeing her chance to regain her post as an investigator. However, things take an ominous turn when Percival Graves, the enigmatic Director of Magical Security at MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), casts his suspicions on both Newt…and Tina.Now allied, Newt and Tina, together with Tina’s sister, Queenie, and their new No-Maj friend, Jacob, form a band of unlikely heroes, who must recover Newt’s missing beasts before they come to harm. But the stakes are higher than these four outsiders—now branded fugitives—ever imagined, as their mission puts them on a collision course with dark forces that could push the wizarding and No-Maj worlds to the brink of war.Special Features:Before Harry Potter: A New Era of Magic Begins-Join J.K. Rowling as she, David Yates, and David Heyman return to Leavesden studios to build a new and exciting corner of the wizarding universe.Characters: The Magizoologistlogist-A wizard who is more comfortable with beasts than he is with other human beings. Cast and crew discuss Newt's character, costume and journey in the film.Characters: The Goldstein Sisters-Magical sisters with a strong bond. Cast and crew discuss Tina and Queenie's characters, costumes and journeys in the film.Characters: The New Salemersemers-A family intolerant of magic. Cast and crew discuss the family's characters, costumes and journeys in the film.Characters: The No-Maj Baker-A no-maj who is magical in his own way. Cast and crew discuss Jacob's character, costume and journey in the film.Characters: The President and the Aurornt and the Auror-Two of Macusa's finest. Cast and crew discuss their characters, costumes and journeys in the film.Creatures: Meet the Fantastic Beasts-Venture into the magical world of beasts and the creative team behind them.Creatures: Bowtruckle-Meet Picket: A bowtruckle with attachment issues. Cast and crew discuss the bowtruckle's character, what a bowtruckle is and how it was created for the film.Creatures: Demiguise-Meet the beast with the power of invisibility. Cast and crew discuss the demiguise's character, what a demiguise is and how it was created for the film.Creatures: Erumpent-Meet the beast that dances with Newt. Cast and crew discuss the erumpent's character, what an erumpent is and how it was created for the film.Creatures: Niffler-Meet the beast that loves anything shiny. Cast and crew discuss the niffler's character, what a niffler is and how it was created for the film.Creatures: Occamy-Meet the beast with the ability to change its size. Cast and crew discuss the occamy's character, what an occamy is and how it was created for the film.Creatures: Thunderbird-Meet the bird that can change the weather. Cast and crew discuss the thunderbird's character, what a thunderbird is and how it was created for the film.Design: Shaping the World of Fantastic Beasts-Get to know the creative team behind the construction, design, costumes and props of the wizarding world who discuss how the massive sets were brought to life.Design: New York City-Explore the streets of New York City in 1926. An inside look at the construction, detail and design that went into creating New York.Design: MACUSA-Explore the halls of Macusa. An inside look at the construction, detail and design that went into creating Macusa.Design: Newt’s Magical Case-Explore Newt's magical case. An inside look at the construction, detail and design that went into creating Newt's magical case.Design: The Shaw Banquet-Explore the Shaw Banquet. An inside look at the construction, detail and design that went into creating Shaw's Banquet.Design: The Blind Pig-Explore the Blind Pig. An inside look at the construction, detail and design that went into creating the Blind Pig.Deleted Scenes
T**.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Basically “Pokémon GO” but with a Wand
Newt Scamander is a shy British Hufflepuff who would rather cuddle magical platypuses than talk to humans—and honestly, relatable. This movie is a delightful scavenger hunt across 1920s New York as he tries to catch all his escaped beasties before the city collapses from wizard-related chaos.The creatures are adorable (and mildly terrifying), the cast is charming, and the Niffler will steal both your jewelry and your heart. A magical mix of whimsy, danger, and “why is this suitcase a whole jungle?”Highly recommend for anyone who’s ever said, “You know what this franchise needs? More creatures and less teenage angst.”
S**R
Much different than the Harry Potter movies, but still good
Fantastic Beasts is kind of a prequel to the Harry Potter movies, but much, much different. So, going into it, you have to temper your expectations that you are not going to be seeing Harry Potter, even though the events in the Fantastic Beasts franchise are tied, sometimes loosely and sometimes closely, to Harry Potter's stories. In fact, many things in Fantastic Beasts were alluded to in Harry Potter (especially the books), such as the fact that the main character in this movie, Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) was the author of one of Harry's schoolbooks, entitled, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.This movie is set in the mid-1920s, with most of the events taking place in New York. Newt, a magizoologist who works for the Ministry of Magic in London, arrives in New York with a case full of magical creatures. His briefcase is accidentally swapped with that of a muggle (called a no-maj in the US) named Jacob Kowalski (played by Dan Fogler) who is trying to get a bank loan to open a bakery. Newt is arrested by an Auror of the Magical Congress of the United States (MACUSA) named Tina Goldstein (played by Katherine Waterston), which is the United States' version of the Ministry of Magic, for breaking magical law by having a case full of magical creatures unprotected. Of course, his case has just cupcakes in it, and when he is released he has to try to track down his case. Jacob inadvertently releases a bunch of magical creatures, and the bulk of the movie involves Newt, Jacob, Tina, and her sister Queenie (played by Alison Sudol) trying to get the creatures back in the case, while also trying to avoid The Director of Magical Security, Percival Graves (played by Collin Farrell) who accuses Newt of conspiring with the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (who is also referenced in the later Harry Potter novels and movies).For those who get the 4K release, there are two discs, a UHD disc with just the movie itself, and then a regular blu-ray disc with the movie and all of the extras. The movie looks and sounds wonderful in UHD, with the special effects looking even better than they did in the last two Harry Potter movies. You can barely tell that the CGI characters are animated at all. The extras include 14 minutes worth of deleted scenes, and 18 different featurettes that are all about 4-5 minutes in length separated into the categories, Characters, Creatures, and Designs. Then there is a 15-minute making-of documentary that features cast and filmmaker interviews.Overall, the movie is good, but you have to have realistic expectations. While it is set in the Harry Potter world, it is set nearly 70 years before the events of the Harry Potter movies. So, aside from the fact that it is set in the US, it has a totally different feel from the other movies and is not trying to be a carbon copy. It also has more mature and darker themes from the outset (especially when compared with the first couple of Harry Potter movies). It does have some humorous elements, especially between the characters of Jacob and Queenie, but on the whole, it definitely falls into the category of an action-drama. The movie most definitely feels like the first in a movie franchise, setting up a lot of what is to come later. It does a good job of balancing a large ensemble cast that along with those already mentioned, include Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo, and Ron Perlman. Ultimately, I think if you are expecting another Harry Potter movie, you will be disappointed. If, however, you accept that this is a new story set within the same Universe as Harry Potter, you will probably like it.
J**S
Better than I hoped for.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them""Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is an enchanting masterpiece that breathes new life into the wizarding world. J.K. Rowling's foray into 1920s New York is a delightful blend of whimsy, adventure, and magic, perfectly directed by David Yates.**Plot and Storyline**The film introduces us to Newt Scamander, a lovable magizoologist played with endearing charm by Eddie Redmayne. The storyline is fresh and captivating, weaving together the escapades of magical creatures with a darker, underlying narrative that hints at the looming threat of Grindelwald. The pacing is excellent, keeping viewers engaged from start to finish.**Characters and Performances**Eddie Redmayne is outstanding as Newt Scamander, bringing a unique blend of awkwardness and bravery to the character. Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, and Alison Sudol deliver stellar performances as Tina, Jacob, and Queenie, respectively, creating a dynamic and heartfelt ensemble. Colin Farrell’s portrayal of Percival Graves adds a layer of intrigue and intensity to the film.**Visuals and Special Effects**The special effects are nothing short of spectacular. The magical creatures are beautifully designed and seamlessly integrated into the real world, from the mischievous Niffler to the majestic Thunderbird. The film’s depiction of 1920s New York is rich and immersive, creating a visually stunning backdrop for the story.**Themes and Messages**The film explores themes of acceptance, friendship, and the importance of protecting those who are different. It’s a heartwarming reminder of the magic that exists in embracing diversity and standing up for what is right. The narrative also sets the stage for deeper themes to be explored in future installments.**Overall Experience**"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is a magical journey that captures the wonder and excitement of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. It’s a perfect blend of adventure, humor, and heart, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers alike. This film is a testament to the enduring magic of Rowling’s storytelling and a promising start to a new chapter in the wizarding saga.In conclusion, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is a five-star cinematic experience that enchants, delights, and leaves you eagerly anticipating the next adventure. Highly recommended!
B**S
Good flick
Harry Potter fans will like this
A**R
Magic, fate, cause and effects, problems
The first prequel of the Harry Potter books, it started about in early 20th century, young Wizard, enters New York City, for basically research, he has a strange case, a mysterious problems happen, when he arrives which wasn't his fault, then things happened, three magical person and common non magical person , got dragged into a problem that would change they lives, and probably change both society.
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