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You come for Fantastic Beasts 3 but stay for Hogwarts — it’s only for Potterheads

Unlike 'Harry Potter' films that had Rowling's books to rely upon, Fantastic Beasts 3 was written for the screen. That was its ultimate test.

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In J.K. Rowling’s magical universe, best known for the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore tries taking one step forward only to circle back to a Potterhead’s home — Hogwarts. 

Set in the 1930s, before the time of Harry Potter, the film opens with Albus Dumbledore negotiating with his former partner Gellert Grindelwald to drop the idea of declaring war against the muggles. But — no points for guessing the latter refuses. Due to a blood troth, the two could not fight each other. 

With no choice in hand, Dumbledore seeks magizoologist Newt Scamander’s help. They recruit a diverse group of five people — Newt’s brother Theseus, American professor Lally Hicks, French wizard Yusuf Kama, Newt’s long-time assistant Bunty, and a No-Maj (the American term for muggles) Jacob Kowalski — to obstruct Grindelwald’s plan. 

Harry Potter vs Fantastic Beasts

At one point in the 143-minutelong film, loversturnedadversaries Dumbledore and Grindelwald engage in a duel. Just as they cast a spell at each other with their wands, one could hear a handful of people from the audience cheering. This theatrical reception of a fighting sequence was quite similar to what I witnessed during the last few instalments of the Harry Potter films. 

It makes one wonder if the audience has (or is in the process of) adapted to a different palette of another magical universe (though set in an earlier time period) in J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. 

The comparison between the Fantastic Beasts franchise with its preceding megablockbuster Harry Potter films is inevitable but not entirely fair.

All Harry Potter films have been adapted for the screen from the seven books by the same name, penned by J.K. Rowling. The books had already become a literary phenomenon before the feature films were conceptualised. Although the films did steer off-course several times, they largely stuck to the books. So, in terms of story and plot, the stakes weren’t as high. 

In comparison, the Fantastic Beasts franchise does not enjoy the same luxury. Although Rowling has co-written the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the story goes through its ultimate test directly on the silver screen. Besides the default interest from Potterheads worldwide, the franchise does not have much of an advantage. 

But Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore has several moments that remind the audience of the Harry Potter universe as if to reassure any straying fans. 

There is a moment when a dozen replicas of Newt Scamander’s briefcase (containing thousands of magical creatures) are created to keep the original at bay from Grindelwald’s men. It is a hat tip to the ‘seven Potters’ scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010).

At another point, Newt Scamander delivers Dumbledore’s message to another wizard, which says,Do what is right, not what is easy,” and we are reminded of a much older professor-turned-headmaster imparting similar advice, Dark and difficult times lie ahead. Soon, we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy to young Harry at the end of his fourth year at Hogwarts. 


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The wobbly plot

Keeping aside the nostalgia-driven moments, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is far from perfect. In the first half, Scamander, on Dumbledore’s directives, huddles up the team of five to strategise on how to take down Grindelwald. And so, they decide that their best course of action against him would be to confuse him. It seems like the makers mistook the audience to be the allies of Grindelwald. Or else, how else would they explain the confusion endured by the viewers for most of the film?

Several key characters are dropped in with little to no context. For the ones who were introduced in the previous two films, some are left reeling with a hasty, unbaked arc. Case in point — Credence Barebone (we learned that he was Dumbledore in the previous film), who wreaked havoc previously using his Obscurial as a weapon, looks lost and helpless here. 

This move could have still worked in a Harry Potter film because one has the books to rely on. But for a franchise that was written exclusively for the screen, director David Yates should have known better. Interestingly, Yates has also directed four of eight Harry Potter films and the previous two installments in the Fantastic Beasts franchise.


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Come for fantastic beasts, stay for Hogwarts

Despite some loose threads, as the third sequel in the franchise, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is a vast improvement from its predecessor. 

Actors Eddie Redmayne and Jude Law are pitch-perfect as Newt Scamander and Albus Dumbledore, respectively. But it is the casting choice of Mads Mikkelsen replacing Johnny Depp for the role of Grindelwald that has made a massive difference. Wherever the story lacks lustre, the cast pulls focus to their commendable performances. 

The film expresses guts and willingness as it marches forward on its own merit, carving a niche for itself within the Harry Potter universe. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore may not be as bewitching as the saga of ‘the boy who lived’ but brings you back to Hogwarts — perhaps, the makers’ best decision. 

The magic, performed by older witches and wizards (as opposed to the Harry Potter gang), is more nuanced, subtle, and refreshing to watch. Be it in the exotic locales of Bhutan or amid the political campaign in Germany’s Berlin — the magic is the glue that holds it all together and makes even the wobbly transitions palatable.

(Edited by Humra Laeeq)

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In J.K. Rowling’s magical universe, best known for the Harry Potter series, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore tries taking one step forward only to circle back to a Potterhead's home — Hogwarts.  Set in the 1930s, before the time of Harry Potter, the film...You come for Fantastic Beasts 3 but stay for Hogwarts — it’s only for Potterheads