★★★★
Returning to the wizarding world of Harry Potter may feel like a cynical cash-grab, but it’s clear from the offset of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them that the creatives behind the franchise had serious things they needed to say. Though we may not need the inevitable sequels to come, this new instalment brings back the magic in broadly appealing and darkly prescient style.
Magizoologist and social pariah Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives in 1930s New York with a case full of beasties, tumbling headlong into disaster as he unwittingly exacerbates the existing tensions between the wizards of America and No-Maj society (non-magic users).
The big news is that this is author J.K. Rowling’s debut as a screenwriter, having sat on the sidelines of the Potter film franchise until producing the last two films for returning director David Yates. This is what separates Fantastic Beasts from mere merchandise – Rowling’s sense for magic permeates every element of the film, lifting what would otherwise be a generic hero’s tale. She must also be applauded for rarely name-dropping the core series, save for the mention of one of the few beloved figures alive in this era.
As for Scamander himself, Redmayne relies on his standard parlour tricks, tics and puppy eyes to carry the day, but he fits seamlessly into the oddball wizarding world and is complemented by a superb supporting cast. The real hero of the piece is Dan Fogler’s Jacob Kowalski, a bumbling wannabe baker with a suitcase full of charm and magical comic timing. In a beautiful sequence when he steps inside Scamander’s box of beasts, we share in Jacob’s wonder.
Sisters Porpentina (Katherine Waterston) and Queenie (Alison Sudol) make light work of their screentime, the latter dazzling with her pitch-perfect 1930s dame; they contrast effectively with the creepy Credence (Ezra Miller), despicable Mary Lou (Samantha Morton) and militant Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), each reflecting a familiar ‘baddie’ archetype from Potterdom.
While Yates astounds with dizzying action sequences and the allure of Rowling’s animal creations, he deftly conjures the larger world and its conflicts, never fearing to set foot in the dark. Writer and director both nod to their previous efforts together; remember that humans often have good reason to fear the wizarding world and, in the realm of magic, children are not safe. Every issue faced by our heroes has a counterpart in the present day; now more than ever is this tackling of social issues vital to a healthy blockbuster culture.
Neither, however, are the creators immune to their crutches: magic offers a way to close every plot hole with minimal conflict, and a few choices are surprisingly easy for so inventive a pair. There’s also plenty of hinting at the franchise to come – particularly in a cheeky endgame cameo – and the prospect of five films in Scamander’s company is perhaps not as enticing as the producers may hope.
With Rowling on board, Fantastic Beasts proves a treat for fans and newcomers alike – but just how many wonders can Scamander’s suitcase hold?
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Themopens in cinemas Thursday November 17.
