Cinema Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them


Posted November 22, 2016 in Cinema Reviews

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Director: David Yates

Talent: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell

Released: 18th November

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a treat. Much more than a return to the Harry Potter money pit for Warners and Rowling, this is an energetic period picture that had me on-board from moment one. The prohibition-era American setting and emphasis on physical comedy really helps set Fantastic Beasts apart from the other Harry Potter films, while not alienating those die-hard fans, there are enough tie-ins and references in here to elicit whoops and squeals of recognition from audience members.

Eddie Redmayne is very charming as Newt, a collector of magical beasts lost in the Big Apple. His performance reads like some lost regeneration of Doctor Who, scatter-brained but charming. David Yates’ direction is innovative as well as the action breaks free of the frame, overlapping with the widescreen borders. Fantastic Beasts is then, surprising, accessible and worthwhile for fans and newcomers alike.

Words – Luke Maxwell

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