By AARON KREIN
Arts Editor
With the last of the “Harry Potter” book series printed and its corresponding film saga completed, I always wondered if we would ever return to Rowling’s world of wizards and muggles again.
Back in 2013, before the release of “Harry Potter and The Cursed Child,” Warner Brothers announced they were adapting one of Rowling’s short spin-off books related to the franchise.
The original “Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them” book was released along with “Quidditch Through the Ages” in 2001 to raise money for Comic Relief.
The 128-page book is a guide of creatures compiled by “magi-zoologist” Newt Scamander, who the book is credited to on the front cover.
The book is one of the many on Harry’s supply list for Hogwarts in the first book of the series, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
When they announced that they were making what was essentially a database of creatures into a film series, I wasn’t convinced it was going to work.
The film was set to star Eddie Redmayne, who was fresh off his Best Actor Oscar win for “The Theory of Everything.”Still, I didn’t know if Warner Brothers and Rowling would be able to generate a story behind this book, let alone a film series.
However, I am pleased to say that I was proven wrong. The film, set in 1926, revolves around Scamander while he travels to the United States from London, transporting his beasts in a magical briefcase à la Mary Poppins.
After going through customs, his briefcase is accidentally switched with Jacob Kowalski, who aspires to open a bakery but doesn’t have the funds.
Kowalski, thinking it was his own briefcase, opened it and released all the creatures to frolic in New York City. Along the way, Scamander is stopped by Tina Goldstein, an auror who arrests him for exposing creatures to the human world.
When the Magical Congress of the United States of America dismisses Goldstein’s claims on Scamander, the two team up with Kowalski, whom they kidnapped, to rescue all the creatures before the public notices.
At this point, there is a great divide between muggles and the possibility of wizards, curated by Mary Lou Barebone and her adopted children. One of them, Creedence, is undercover, working with Percival Graves, the Director of Magical Security.
Graves promises to free Creedence of his abusive mother if he helps Graves find the human form of an Obscurus, the creature in the film that causes the most destruction.
The film is a pleasant adventure filled with the hunt for these beasts and the forming of friendship between Scamander, Kowalski, Goldstein, and her roommate, Queenie.
The chemistry, especially between Kowalski and Queenie, is believable and has audience sympathetic for them towards the film’s end. With a great supporting cast featuring the likes of Ron Pearlman, Ezra Miller, Carmen Ejogo and Collin Farrell, the film’s superb roster of stars never goes to waste.
The “scavenger hunt” theme is a bit generic with the likes of the “Night at the Museum” movies and last year’s release, “Goosebumps.” Despite that, it still makes for a fun time getting to know these creatures and the reactions from scared muggles.
What I like about the film the most was the fact that the movie barely referenced any Harry Potter-isms at all.
There were a few mentions of Hogwarts and one of Albus Dumbledore towards the end. That was it and all that was needed. It was nice that a prequel could also stand alone without being filled with fan-service moments and shoehorned cameos.
This is something I wish “The Hobbit” trilogy and the majority of the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe could’ve been wary of during production.
I’m really curious to see what this trilogy will be like considering we’re so used to franchises like these being based on the books they’re based on.
However, this time it’s loosely based and a whole world and variety of characters will be created around a small guide of monsters. It makes me wonder if we’ll ever see a film based upon “Quidditch Through the Ages” or my favorite, “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.”
Will any of the short stories Rowling has published on Pottermore be a part of the trilogy? Perhaps the inclusion of the American Hogwarts, called Ilvermony, that rests in Mount Greylock, Massachusetts. Interestingly, according to Google Maps, Mount Greylock is only about 50 miles away from Albany.
If you are a fan of Harry Potter or just in the mood for a good scavenger hunt thrill of a film, I’d highly recommend it. If you aren’t familiar with the Harry Potter franchise, don’t let the film’s attachment hinder you.
The movie stands on its own feet and is easy to follow. It’s an exciting and adventurous piece of cinema well worth the viewing.
