Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
"I can't move against Grindelwald. It has to be you." - Albus Sumbledore.
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| Image credit: imdb.com |
Title: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Genre: Adventure, family, fantasy
Series: Fantastic Beasts
Director: David Yates
Screenplay: J.K. Rowling
Producers: J.K. Rowling, David Heyman, Steve Kloves, Lionel Wigram
Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterstone, Dan Fogler, Jude Law, Johny Depp, and other.
Ticket: IDR 40,000 at CGV Depok Town Square.
Based on Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling (2018).
In an effort to thwart Grindelwald's plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers that lie ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among the truest friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world.
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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second movie from Fantastic Beast Series. It's released two years after the first movie. Me as a Potterhead, have waited this movie. Despite all of the negative comments that appeared, I still want to know more about Newt's adventure in Paris--a city that I want to go to. After I watched this movie, I got a mixed feeling. I do love the journey, but I can sense a lot of plot hole here. So sad.
Psst. There will be spoiler, here--maybe. You've been warned.
This movie opened with a prison's condition where Gellert Grindelwald (Johny Depp) was arrested since the end of the first movie. He is described as a cunning and powerful wizard after all. With his magnificent magic ability, Grindelwald is succeed to runaway from MACUSA's (Magical Congress of the United States) custody when he supposed to be moved to another prison. After that, Grindelwald goes to Paris to start his plan that will affect wizarding and non-wizarding world.
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| Grindelwald and his followers. image credit: indieWire.com |
On the other side, there is Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) who is struggle to get his international travel permit back. He must assure the ministry of magic's member that he is worth that permit after what he did in the United States. Well, Newt is being Newt, tho. He is failed to assure them and make Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner)--Newt's brother--only can warn what Ministry of Magic will do to Newt. Well, the reason why Newt is failed to get his international travel permit is, he rejects Ministry of Magic's request to go to Paris and find Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller).
When he came back to his home, Newt got unpredictable guest. They are Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) and Quennie Goldstein (Alison Sudol). The purpose of their arrival is to tell Newt about their wedding plan. But, some misunderstanding happened between Jacob and Quennie and made Quinnie leave Jacob to find her sister, Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterstone) in Paris. Hearing that Tina is in Paris, Newt has decided to go to Paris to meet Tina. After all, Newt still has a feeling for her.
Then, what will Newt meet at Paris? Is there any relations with Grindelwald's plan? Psst. Actually, Newt got a personal request too from our beloved professor in Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law). So, watch the movies and find the story.
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| Albus Dumbledore (left) is assured Newt Scamander (right) to go to Paris and find Credence. Image credit: youtube.com |
"Do you know why I admire you, Newt? You do not seek power. You simply ask, 'Is a thing... right?'" -- Albus Dumbledore.
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Okay, let's start the review. Fyuuh. Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale.
To be honest, just like I said before, I got a mixed feeling after watch this movie. As a Potterhead, I want to like this movie. Moreover, this is one my wishlist movie to watch, but, I feel a little bit disappointed with the plot hole. Well, I know that this series intended to be 9 movie, if I remember correctly. So, I'm a little bit understand if there's some untold story in this movie. But, I think, there are a lot if scene that.. hmm.. jumping. I mean, I got some uncomfortable feeling when I saw a fast-changing-scene. Until, I questioned why the story suddenly to be like "this". I feel sad about that jumping scene.
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| Credence Barebone and Nagini Image credit: inverse.com |
Then, it's about effect that used in the entire movie. I have to admit that David Yates has been succeed to make a fascinating effect. The fantastic creatures looks so real.. but, I don't like the light effect in the beginning of the movie--when Grindelwald running away from MACUSA. Too fast and make me dizzy to some extend. Well, it's my opinion, tho. But, overall, I satisfied with what David Yates did to Fantastic Beasts.
Despite all of the controversy about Nagini (Claudia Kim), I think that snake-woman is fit with her. Even thought, I am more questioning why Nagini suddenly appear here? I think there's no urgent matter to make Nagini's appearance in this movie. I didn't see a critical role from her. Well, so did with Nicholas Flamel's appearance. I am surprised when I realized that Dumbledore's acquaintance is Flamel. Hmm, i feel like Rowling try to add so many character here but there's no major role from them. So, I am confused with the main story. Sigh.
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| Tina Goldstein and Newt Scamander in the Paris Ministry of Magic. Image credit: denofgeek.com |
Like everyone said, there's always be the bright side from the story. I mean, i feel entertained when Newt is trying to praise Tina with his "salamander" word. Lol. I laugh a lot. Can't help it, tho. Cause, it's really funny. Then, I like when the young Grindelwald is played by Jamie Campbell Bower. I never thought that he will appeared again in this movie. Well, Jamie is a minor role in the Harry Potter 7 part 2.
Wait, I forget to mention Leta Lestrange (Zoë Kravitz) here. She is the first love of Newt. She is described as an independent and smart woman. Well, I know that she is part of Black family--remember Bellatrix Lestrange, right? But, she is the definition of a brave woman and.. in my assumption still love to Newt even though she is being Theseus' wife. I never thought that her life would be really suffering like that. Well, she is one of my favorite here.
"You're to good, Newt. You never met a monster you couldn't love." -- Leta Lestrange.
In conclusion, I like some part of this movie. I still do love the magical world. It's literally satisfy what Potterhead wants for Harry Potter franchise. But, sadly, there are so many plot holes that's bugging me in the entire me. Well, will I watch the next movie? I will say, yes I will. Cause, deep down there, I still Potterhead after all.
7 out of 10 stars for Niffler--eugh, he is so cute.
Sincereley,
Puji P. Rahayu
