Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has just recently been released in cinemas, following on from the other 2 Fantastic Beasts films in the franchise: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. However, it is not necessary to have watched the previous two films to be able to follow this one, as you quickly get to know all of the characters and understand the plot.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is about Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) who knows the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) who is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. However, Dumbledore is unable to stop him alone meaning that he then entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to help lead a fearless team of wizards, witches and a brave Muggle baker, Jacob, on a dangerous mission, in which they encounter both old and new beasts. They also clash with Grindelwald's growing legion of followers. With the pressure on, the real question is how long can Dumbledore stay out of the action?
There are so many amazing parts to this film from the incredible visual effects to the plot of the movie and the astounding actors. The film successfully brought back the magic from both the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchise through the beautiful creatures and direct intertextuality as they go into the Great Hall at Hogwarts, therefore helping to keep the audience continuously engaged. Furthermore, the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout wondering if they will be able to stop Grindelwald before it is too late. The actors and the special effects were breathtaking as it created a form of escapism, in which you felt as if you were being taken into this whole new world full of magic.
However, some do criticise the film due to it being quite long and taking a while to get to the conclusion. Just when you think it's about to be solved, they end up with another challenge to overcome. Even though this makes the film feel quite long and as if it is not going anywhere at some points, it really helps to build tension and keep the audience on the edge of their seats as it makes it unpredictable. In addition, this allows for greater development of the plot and characters, allowing us to get a greater glimpse of Dumbledore’s life and to build a stronger connection with the other characters.
I asked Zoe Dimond about what she thought of the film, and she said, ‘I really like how the company included so many references from the original series because it made the magical world feel so much more real’.
Overall, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is a must watch film, especially if you enjoy Harry Potter and the previous two movies in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. The film really brings the magic alive and ensures the audience is engaged throughout, so why not check it out in your local cinema and see for yourself!
