Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) #Review #Movies #FantasticBeasts #CrimesofGrindelwald #HarryPotter #Fantasy

On By R&R Book ToursIn Fantasy, Movie Reviews

Movie Review

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I’ve been waiting for a spare moment to write this one up and am only now getting to it. My apologies to The Wizarding World!

My head must have been in the sand for the last while, because while I was aware of the casting rumors and grumblings, I had no idea it was coming out so soon! Then all of a sudden it was opening weekend, and I was both floored and thrilled! It was also quite fortuitous that I had recently watched Fantastic Beasts again too.

The Crimes of Grindelwald (Release Date: November 16th, 2018)

The second installment of the “Fantastic Beasts” series featuring the adventures of Magizoologist Newt Scamander.

Stars:  Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, and Johnny Depp

Director: David Yates

Rating/ Runtime: PG-13/ 2hrs 14

My Thoughts…

Say what you will about Johnny Depp, but he plays a striking Grindelwald. He’s charismatic, handsome (in a weird pale way), and a psychopath. The perfect blend of megalomaniac. One who will amass followers and start a war.

Now, this will probably make many readers *gasp in shock, but I am a life-long fan of Depp, and though he has his problems, I truly believe there is more to the Amber Heard allegations the press ran with. I don’t think he was completely innocent but I don’t believe she was either. That said, I am with JK Rowling and support her decision to cast him, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Now my thoughts on the film. I LOVE this new ‘Wizarding World’! I love how dark and sinister the direction these movies are taking. I feel like this series was made for grownups. Fantastic Beasts was cool because of its location, and our introduction to brand new characters, but it doesn’t have the edge that this second installment has, and for that reason, I think I enjoyed this more.

Newt isn’t quite as bumbling, and his evolution as a character is interesting to watch. I was delighted to see the return of almost all the main characters from the first, and all the new (old?) characters in this latest film, are either really great, or spectacularly bad lol. I’m still not sure how I feel about Jude Law playing a young Dumbledore, but he did a decent job capturing the essence of the character. Decent but not amazing. I guess nobody can replace the Dumbledore in my mind and heart. Even his younger counterpart.

One of the best parts of this movie, was returning to Hogwarts! New York was cool and all, but being back at Hogwarts was like coming home again, and it was wonderful! Additionally, Paris made a pretty fantastic backdrop too.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this movie. I know many fans will have issues or will flat-out hate it. Like I said, it’s a whole new magical world, one that’s not for kids, and that makes these movies refreshing. I am thrilled that while there are characters from Harry Potter in this new franchise, ultimately, this is a new experience for fans.

I heartily recommend it but leave your pre-conceived notions at the door, and enjoy it with an open mind.

Rating… A

 

IMDb

18 thoughts on “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) #Review #Movies #FantasticBeasts #CrimesofGrindelwald #HarryPotter #Fantasy”

  1. I used to admire the unique roles that Johnny Depp would take, but now I feel he is just a caricature. A good actor/actress becomes the character, but I didn’t see Grindelwald, I saw JD. But the rest of the movie was good, with wonderful special effects.

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    1. You’re not wrong but I think that happens with all character actors eventually. I will always be surprise with Rowling’s choice to use such a large, high profile name but I liked his take. O guess he’s like Morgan Freeman now lol. I love Morgan but no matter what he does, he’s always Morgan Freeman as a cop, Morgan Freeman as an assassin etc… lol

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  2. I liked Jude Law as Dumbledore much more than I liked Johnny Depp as Grindewald. I have always been a Depp fan, but I found his version of the character too aloof, so I didn’t understand his motivations. I thought Jude Law was just about a perfect blend of charming and enigmatic.

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  6. Fellow Johnny Depp fan here and totally agree with your comments. I reviewed this film on my blog but we seem to have opposite opinions – I didn’t like it; WAY too much going on. Everyone in the cinema walked out in a daze lol. Loved seeing Hogwarts again but this wasn’t my favourite film of the year. I love reading such divided opinions – I’m sure JK would too x

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