Rating of
2.5/4
Few Beasts, Far from Fantastic
Chris Kavan - wrote on 04/27/22
Fantastic Beasts has always felt like it is franchise in search of a meaning. Capitalizing on the worldwide phenomenon that was Harry Potter was always going to be like trying to catch lightning in a bottle twice and while the series hasn't been without some merit, it has also always felt superficial and unneeded. The first film is by and far the best, the sequel was a muddled mess and this third entry, while better than the second, is still far from being magical.
Our opening introduces us the new version of Gellert Grindelwald with Mads Mikkelsen taking over for Johnny Depp (one of the many problems Fantastic Beasts has had to deal with) and meeting up with old friend - nay lover - Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law). Because of an blood pact, the two cannot directly fight each other (nor even think of doing so) lest they be undone by their own hand. Meanwhile, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) witnesses the birth of another fantastic beast, only to be interrupted by Grindelwald's minions, led by Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller - whose recent off-screen antics are yet another thorn in the franchise's side) who steals one of the newborn creatures. Luckily, it seems the birth led to twins, with a beat-up Newt rescuing the other.
While Dumbledore himself cannot directly confront Grindelwald, that doesn't mean he is without option. Newt, his UK Auror head brother, Thesues (Callum Turner), charm master extraordinaire Eulalie 'Lally' Hicks (Jessica Williams), Newt's long-time assistant Bunty (Victoria Yeates), Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam) - surviving brother of the late Leta Lestrange and no-maj baker Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) are his special team. It turns out the twin beasts are Qilin's and they have the power of prophecy. Knowing this, Dumbledore sends the groups in different directions on different missions in hopes of confusing Grindelwald.
As this is going the magic community prepares to elect a new leader. Grindelwald has managed to infiltrate the current administration run by German Chancellor Anton Vogel (Oliver Masucci) and is not only cleared of his crimes but announces his decision to run for the head position. The film splits off into several different directions - and, as suggested, seems confusing as to why. That is, I believe, intentional but makes the movie appear disjointed at the same time. Newt must rescue Theseus from a German magic gulag (with scorpion-like creatures guarding it), Jacob gets accused of trying to assassinate Grindelwald while only pining after lost love Queenie (Alison Sudol) who is still in Grindelwald's camp and Yusuf tries to ingrain himself to Girndelwald's inner circle - losing his memories of Leta in the process.
Everything comes to a head during the big election in Bhutan. Even quiet Bunty gets to play a major part here. One person who doesn't get to play a major part is Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) who is tragically side-lined during the entire film (some say because of her outspoken opinions towards author J.K. Rowling's troublesome stance on trans issues) only appearing briefly at the end. The film also introduces Aberforth (Richard Coyle), brother of Albus and Credence's father as they work to mend a broken family. It's actually quite good but far too truncated to have as much of an impact as it should.
The is still a lot of fun - there are still fantastic creatures, lots of magic whipped around and some fun parts (Fogler is still the diamond in the rough here) but the franchise as a whole just feels extraneous. I wouldn't be surprised if this is indeed the last entry after planning for five, but it could creep by with just enough to warrant another. We'll see, but this is a series that is wholly skippable even for die-hard Potter fans.
