Review: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald Missing the Fans and Feelings of Hogwarts and the Wizarding World

For Potterheads, the presence of Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (2016) is a nostalgic event after more than a decade, since the last Harry Potter series. In fact, you could say the franchise is timeless. Meanwhile, the presence of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, seems to add to the longing of fans with the nuances of Hogwarts and the wizarding world. Then, does this film really spoil fans?

Several months after Newt Scamander captured Gellert Grindelwald and managed to hold him back, the evil wizard managed to escape and was ready to wreak havoc. One mission is to divide the pureblood magicians. He was also aiming for Credence to take advantage of him. While everyone is hunting for them, Credence is still questioning his origins.

As we know, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is a prequel to the fictional Harry Potter series in the wizarding world. Since its promotion, this film seems to have offered a magical world atmosphere that makes you miss Harry Potter. Unfortunately, your longing doesn't really pay off.

The plot that is delivered is really solid, but not effective. So many materials that want to be used, even to the expense of important scenes. In fact, the film starts well and is enough to heat up the adrenaline. If you think this film will have a battle between Grindelwald and Scamander, unfortunately you have to lose your expectations.

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While the focus of this film is on the crime of Gridelwald, it is precisely the attraction and premise that this film brings to the next films. The existence of Credence who always questions his origins is even more interesting than Grindelwald's mission to divide the magicians.

The storyline is full of questions. For those of you who are not Potterheads, it is guaranteed that you will be dizzy watching this film. You see, there are some things that have actually been mentioned in the Harry Potter series, which were not shown in the film. Including, Albus Dumbledore's relationship with Grindelwald.

Admittedly, this film by David Yates puts fans in a bad mood. The story is too long-winded and even has a soap opera-style twist. For those of you who are waiting for the action of Newt's unique animals, you also have to bite your fingers. You see, only ten percent of them are shown. The rest is just about Grindelwald wanting to rule and Credence Barebone wanting to know where he came from. The plot is unclear, making fans feel like they are wasting their time.

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As previously mentioned, many new names have actually been mentioned in the Harry Potter novels and films. Instead, you will be shown some of the iconic Harry Potter characters in this film. Like Albus Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Boggart, and Nicolas Flamel.

It would be a shame if Eddie Redmayne only had insignificant appearance minutes to become a Newt Scamander. In fact, his prestige in the first film was really building because of his prowess in subjugating the fantastic beasts. The return of Dan Fogler as Jacob, Alison Sudol as Queenie, and Katherine Waterston as Tina brings this film back to life.

Then, the presence of Johnny Depp as Grindelwald was considered too active. Unfortunately, the other characters are passive. However, the presence of Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore slightly reduces your longing. A respected figure, it turns out that he has been charismatic since he was young.

Hoping to be brighter or at least the same as the first film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is even more bleak. How dark the Harry Potter films are, this film is darker. As if not a fun wizarding world. However, there are two things that save the film's visuals: the costumes and the magical splendor. If usually the splendor of magic only exists at Hogwarts, this time you can find it in the city.

While the visuals save a little, the sound effects of this film are exactly what fans have been waiting for. Yep, the theme song “Hedwig” mixed in with the Hogwarts visuals from above. For Potterheads, it's quite nostalgic. The franchise's national anthem has finally been heard again.

Overall, this film is not too bad visually. It's just a rambling story, overlapping plots, and too heavy. Looks like David Yates and J.K. Rowling is optimistic that the audience will know the imprint of the wizarding world of Harry Potter. In fact, this film long before Harry Potter existed. Of course, more detailed explanation is needed.