Now don’t get me wrong, I am a die-hard Harry Potter fan, but I just was not excited for Fantastic Beasts. Maybe it was the trailer’s lack of revealing any of the plot or maybe it was just that I hadn’t already read the book (since it was a textbook?), so I didn’t have any prior excitement to build off of before seeing the movie. I just was not pumped for it – but boy, I should have been.
I went to see the movie the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, because I only allow myself to see movies when they are $5. By this time, loads of people had seen the movie before me and they were raving. While I waited to get popcorn with my friends they kept mentioning how critics were absolutely loving the movie, so I started to get a little more excited, but I was still skeptical.
Deciding to open my mind to a new country and time period of witchcraft and wizardry, I went into the movie ready for anything; I walked out of the movie absolutely in love.
The main character, Newt Scamander, was played flawlessly by Eddie Redmayne. Redmayne is adorable with just enough boyish charm to pull off the quirky and socially awkward character of Newt in a loveable way. His defensiveness of his creatures and beasts is as comparable of a love story as Severus and Lily.
Newt is smart, talented, and shy, yet brave and independent. Although his careless and absentminded-ness might drive you a little crazy, he does what he wants when he wants, but always in a kind and compassionate manner. #NewtforPres.
Newt’s sidekick, Kowalski, is played by Dan Fogler. Fogler was a personal highlight to the movie. This guy was the most loveable teddy bear of a muggle, excuse me, No-Maj, that ever did exist. J.K. Rowling gets creative trying to introduce how different the wizarding societies are in each country. Using the term No-Maj (no magic) she separates this series from Harry Potter in a significant way. Kowalski is a hilarious asset to the movie and you’ll be rooting for his bakery all the way! Best part of the movie? It sets up plenty of opportunities for sequels and leaves you wanting more! By name dropping hints about different families and characters you will remember from Harry Potter, fans definitely will get sucked into learning the history behind the wizarding world and will become emotionally attached to these new characters, such as Newt and Kowalski.
I’d like to issue a sincere apology for ever doubting J.K. Rowling; that woman is truly magical.