'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald' review - A visual spectacle with pace and energy is must watch

Movie: Fantastic Beasts: Thr Crimes of Grindelwald

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Callum Turner, Zoe Kravitz, Ezra Miller, Claudia Kim, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, and Dan Fogler,

Director: David Yates

Genre: Fantasy adventure

Duration: 2hr 14min

Story: 

In this second instalment of Fantastic Beasts, we meet Newt Scamander who is now being asked to pick a side in the war between purebloods -- who want to live their lives under the sunshine and not in shadows -- and various ministries of magic that want to protect the current way of wizard living. Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) escapes imprisonment, rallies his follower to dial up the resistance and intensifies his search of Credence (Ezra Miller) an obscurer he thinks is the key to his victory. Scamander, on provocation from Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), tries to get to Credence before Grindelwald. This quest, unfolding in Paris, reunites him with his friends from the other side of the pond, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol), and Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston). The journey unfolds things from Scamander's past which provide an insight into the becoming of this adorable magizoologist. Together, this gang and Albus Dumbledore will have to figure out a way to stop the mass destruction that awaits, all thanks to Grindelwald.

Review:

Forget that you know Potterverse in and out. Forget that JK Rowling's writing owes you anything (apart from the royalties that come from this Harry Potter juggernaut). Forget that Wizarding World is for kids and has to adhere to simplistic perspective. Also, please try your best to ignore the fact that JK Rowling's 'woke style' of writing will grab every opportunity to include something token. Do this and you will love this magical world full of brilliant set pieces and extraordinary visual effects that also has a heart.

Scamander's in-house zoo is the thing of wonder in the movie. It has a big lake, a massive ice plane, and a sweet assistant Bunty that has a crush on Newt. Even though the magical beasts look a bit unimaginative, the powers given to them make up for a great viewing experience. The screen lights up when Chinese Zouwu beast finds a space in Scamander's suitcase. Little Pickett and Niffler come in handy when Scamander & Co are in a tight spot.

The Crimes of Grindelwald's strength lies in the character dynamics. Scamander's reserve of friends and allies grows to include his brother, his ex, his professor, all of whom come with a baggage and complications of their own. The ensemble cast, instead of slowing down this massive vehicle, adds an extra gear to the kinetic energy of the story. There are slow moments, for example between Credence and Nagini, Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald through the Mirror of Erised or young Newt and Leta at Hogwarts that bring some gravitas to the tale made of various quests.

The movie has two massive flaws. One is the grey tone that became David Yates standard in the final four Harry Potter movies. Gloomy pallette and difficult-to-see lighting of the scene does not add to the scary undertones (If that is what Yates going for). Why would he make day-time Paris dull of all things? Other than that, when the special effects come to play, everyone in the theatre will be mesmerised. Final few scenes of the movie when the first fight between good and evil goes down in a cemetery, the magnanimous scale of the magical spells is unlike anything we have ever seen.

The second problem with the movie is Johnny Depp. His off-screen behaviour and the controversy surrounding his casting are the topics of discussion for some other time. The movie proves that it needed someone more dynamic to match the energy and pace of the story. Depp never comes out of the gimmicky style everyone grew tired of after third Pirates of the Caribbean movie. For a Hitler-like magician that uses his prowess with the silver tongue with the same efficiency as the destructive power of the wand, Depp does the bare minimum with a plummy accent. His Grindelwald is pale (literally and figuratively) compared to Jude Law's Albus Dumbledore. 

Law's Dumbledore is his own thing. Not a trace that would relate to the character played by Michael Gambon or late Richard Harris in Potter series before. In the short time he is on screen, he conveys the warmth of the character that holds a lot of secrets and is more than powerful to take on Grindelwald. One of the brilliant scenes in the movie is when Dumbledore meets Scamander in London. Once again hats-off to outstanding visual effects.

Eddie Redmayne's diffident Scamander is still the same, up until the final scene. With the tucked chin, shaggy hair, mumbling, and sheepish jokes, Redmayne's magizoologist is one of the things you will fall for in the second instalment. Redmayne' performance with the creatures he takes care of is maybe the most real thing in the movie. The added strength to the ensemble cast takes away some screentime from him, but the story makes sure that the Oscar-winner gets to leave his mark. In the old gang, Alison Sudol will surprise you, so will Ezra Miller. Dan Fogler's performance as Jacob opens up a buddy-comedy TV series spin-off possibility with Scamander. Katherine Waterston is also there. In the new entries, Callum Turner as Theseus Scamander doesn't get to do much until the last scene where in just one gesture he shows there's more than what meets the eye. Zoe Kravitz as Leta Lestrange is very good.

The movie unveils a couple of secrets other than that of Nagini, retcons some stories, and sets up a fiercely intense course for the things to come. You do not want to miss this ride.

Verdict:

It's a story set in an adult wizarding world. Be one and go watch it.

Critic's ratings: 3.5/5