I have seen every major release of Harry Potter films on the big screen, despite not being a fan of the written work. In fact, I was mostly an opponent of its prose and characters. The lore was always thick with uncertainty instead of mystery. I never felt that Rowling had a strong understanding of the very universe she created. However, the film counterparts took what (I felt) amounted to very little description and created a wonderful place to enjoy. But something was still missing. You were always restricted to Harry and his cohort’s point of view, which started out as a young wizards seeing everything for the first time, to a young adults caught up in a power struggle that could change history, and in doing so, the world became of less and less focus. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them finally puts the universe where it belongs. Big, bold, front, and center.

In a wonderful display of coincidence, the narrative intertwines its characters, creating a mature and surprisingly lean story. In post-WWI New York City, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a beast enthusiast, researcher, and veterinarian (of sorts), journeys to America. Shortly after his arrival he stumbles into a demonstration by a group of “No-Mag” (American muggles) led by Mary Lou (Samantha Morton). She believes that witches live among them and enlists the help of adopted orphans to spread that message. Just then, a beast escapes Newt’s case, finding its way into a nearby bank, where in pursuit Newt stumbles Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a “No-Mag” factory worker preparing for a meeting to get a loan to start a bakery. This catches the eye of an agent of the Magical Congress of the USA Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) who, trying to impress her superiors, arrests Newt for being unregistered in the USA. Her boss, Directory of Magical Security Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), dismisses her arrest, too busy investigating a magical occurrence that is uprooting New York and scaring “No-Mag”.

To reiterate, this film had everything I wanted from the Wizarding universe. Magic isn’t a point of discussion, it’s a tool constantly put in use for all various purposes, from the mundane to the extravagant. In this films left hand we have magic, and in its right, a darker tale not so much concerned with its characters as it with the story they are involved in. This film has a lot more in common in tone with the latter films of the Harry Potter saga than its former.

The visuals and color palette work well together to create a fully formed old New York City. The city is dirty, worn, and matte, all expertly crafted for the film’s themes. My only real criticism would be that often, you can tell the depth of the scene is built on a green screen and rarely does it feel like they are actually interacting with real surroundings. But the beasts were detailed and fun. They come alive and each have a bit of personality that mirror similar animals in the real world. I wouldn’t say they are completely original, but they are still inspired, and it comes through in the actors interactions with them.

The standout performances in this film were from the entire cast as an ensemble. Everyone brought a very convincing charm that didn’t seem to step on anyone else. Personally, Kowalski’s very human “No-Mag” was so genuine, it really brought the whole world to life, giving a depth we never really get to see in Harry Potter. Harry is constantly surrounded by either wizards or sour muggles, so Fogler’s performance as Kowalski was especially refreshing. 

Grown-up enough for the grown-ups, spectacular and flashy enough for the growing-ups, this was a must see for fans of big screen magic. Although a bit dark and even a little scary for younglings, it’s the right kind of scary. The kind that gives them a moral to think about and reminds them to be cautious, be mindful, and be aware. Something could be in the dark, and if you know where to look, you might find something fantastic.