“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” is a simpler and more enjoyable movie than its predecessor, and simplicity is perhaps its greatest strength, and the whole movie is fast-paced!
After “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” slumped at the box office, Warner Bros. has come up with something a little different for the third film in the series, which is “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”
Warners knew that J. K. Rowling’s work was more suitable for book lovers than moviegoers, so they asked Steve Kloves to work with him on a script more suitable for general moviegoers.
The main plot and conflict comes in the first act without too many twists and turns.
From that moment, we begin our adventure with Albus Dumbledore and his “team” who will help him against Grindelwald.
It’s like the winning formula of a bank robbery movie: recruit, plan and execute, a plan for a stronger organization.
In addition to returning to well-known landmarks in the wizarding world, Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, we also see new locations and new characters such as the German Ministry of Magic.
Lally Hicks is likely to become the audience’s new favorite, and Grindelwald, played by Mads Mikkelsen, can be regarded as a new character in a way, because he is very different from the Grindelwald we are familiar with.
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Also in the cast is Richard Coyle, who plays Aberforth Dumbledore as less graceful as his brother.
Anton Vogel, played by Oliver Masucci, is currently the most senior Muggle who seems to be hiding something.
The other cast members include the familiar Eddie Redmayne, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler and Callum Turner, and this time they are more compelling than their previous performances.
There aren’t many Fantastic Beasts in this film, but they are vital to the storyline.
The Unicorn, a very important character from the first act to the last; the Manticore, which is probably one of the most intriguing scenes in the entire series; even Bowtruckle Pickett and Niffler Teddy are now Newt’s ally. All animals are visually stunning.
Perhaps the climax and pacing of the movie is what audiences like best.
The entire film is filled with brief dialogue and an evolving plot.
It’s also probably the strongest evidence yet that the script wasn’t written entirely by J. K. Rowling, but with the help of Steve Cloughs, and feels like the end product of hours of market research: giving audiences They want something, even if it’s a bit against the logic of the wizarding world.
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There are two great scenes before the opening, and if you see the movie on TV in a few years, you’ll still be watching it.
The following parts contain spoilers, please watch after watching the movie
This film answers the biggest question from the last film: Who is Credence?
But it also raises another question: Is it worth unraveling all the mysteries beforehand?
If the answer is that simple, one can’t help but wonder if this version is designed not to complicate the plot further.
The film also raises other questions, perhaps not on a plot level, but on the wizarding world itself.
The first question comes from one of the most common elements in movies: mirror space, or nightmare space, as the producers put it in interviews.
What it is, how it came about, how to get into it, how it works, it’s not against the original setting, but it’s also not seen as the familiar magical world we grew up with.
How could Dumbledore’s so useful “tool” not be mentioned in any book?
The simplest answer, of course, is that the filmmakers allowed them to duel in Berlin without worrying about Muggles, or even a duel between Dumbledore and Grindelwald that no one witnessed.
Some other questionable episodes include entering the Floo Chimney from a portkey, connecting with another Flashback Charm wand.
Maybe there are also some plots that don’t fit the truth, like the Avada Somalia can be stopped by another spell, which is really incredible.
Another example is that creatures like unicorns are not in any of Newt Scamander’s books.
These are the details that the filmmakers decided to sacrifice in order to make a movie that would get people out of the movie theater happy.
There’s some good handling, like most spells being non-verbal: this makes it hard for the audience to know what the spells are and whether they follow the logic of the wizarding world.
The film is sure to spark debate about what is known about the wizarding world, and try to shape a new face of the wizarding world we continue to enjoy.
The last question is based on the real world: is this the last movie in the “Fantastic Beasts” series?
The ending of the movie seems certain.
Queenie and Jacob are doomed, and this scene seems to indicate that Newt and his companions have accomplished their mission, and now Dumbledore is free to fight Grindelwald.
The protagonist even mentions this, thanking Newt for everything he does.
So what’s next?
With Newt and his Fantastic Beasts no longer needed, the filmmakers have more freedom and are no longer tied to the “Fantastic Beasts” franchise.
The final film of Grindelwald’s duel with Dumbledore could be made without Newt Scamander coming back, and maybe even a TV episode.
However, the end of the film is also the end of Grindelwald’s charm: his mask is revealed, and it’s hard to believe that there are still people in the wizarding community willing to follow him.
Without his racist intrigues, is there enough content to make another movie besides this big duel?
Grindelwald’s quest now feels a lot like Lord Voldemort, and they’re clearly following the same path.
All these questions remain unanswered, and expect Warners to announce what’s next for the Wizarding World movie.
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