I finally got to see Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald this weekend. Let's say it didn't live up to its predecessor. Frankly I found this installment lacking in a definite plot and there were a lot of subplots that diverted the audience's attention. However, there were some small details that are worth noting which ties in with the plot from previous Harry Potter books and some details that will predict what will happen in future movies in the franchise. This review is more of a critical breakdown about some of the plot.
WARNING: This discussion post contains spoilers for Harry Potter series and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them series. Read at your own risk. Image from comingsoon.net.
The Crimes of Grindelwald takes place a few months after events that occurred in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the year is 1927. The beginning of the film started off promising with Grindelwald being transported from New York City to another prison. However, Grindelwald, being the sneaky mastermind he is, thwarted that plan and escaped a magical flying stage coach. He gathers his followers and relocates in Paris, France.
Newt is comfortably living back in England until Dumbledore wants Newt to be the one to take Grindelwald down by finding Credence before Gridelwald does. The Ministry wants Newt to work for the Ministry to track down Credence but Newt doesn't acquiesce. Because of this, the Ministry denies him international travel privileges. The only reason Newt decides to pursue Paris is because of Tina. Still lovestruck over Tina, he goes to Paris to find her while encountering a few beasts such as the Zouwu and the Augurey.
Although the film is visually stunning and the costume design is superb, the quality of the plot is subpar. The main plot line is weak. There was no definite protagonist. We have the antagonist, no doubt about that. I don't even know when the climax of the film is. It is an ongoing film of two or so hours with the audience trying to figure out what the point of the film is besides tracking down Credence. I would like to have seen more interactions with Newt and magical creatures and with Newt explaining more about the creatures he interacts with. Many new characters are introduced in The Crimes of Grindelwald with very little backstory about them. I was very intrigued about Leta Lestrange and her history but unfortunately we only get a glimpse of her family and her past because her life is short-lived.
Many will notice that Dumbledore has another wand in his possession which makes sense because during this time period, Gridelwald has the Elder Wand. It isn't until 1945 when Dumbledore wins the wand's allegiance. Also, Newt's book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them gets book launch party which is quite exciting! Newt also mentions his book to Tina when Newt and Tina are in the bank vaults looking for the Lestrange vault. Little does Newt know is that Tina already read the book.
A newly published author must have a book launch party. Newt Scamander has been busy. #MagicInProgress #FantasticBeasts #WizardingWednesdays pic.twitter.com/lvS4TiZXpJ— Fantastic Beasts (@FantasticBeasts) November 1, 2017
Don't get me started about Dumbledore teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts class. In the books, we know that Dumbledore taught Transfiguration before becoming Headmaster. Either the director wanted him to mirror the scene with Lupin and the boggart or it's because they decided that hey, let's add Minerva McGonagall to the film. The problem is that McGonagall is was born around the 1930s and hence would not be old enough to teach at Hogwarts because she wasn't even born yet. I assume the director added McGonagall to give a reason why Dumbledore is teaching the DADA class. The only other theory is that the McGonagall Dumbledore is referring to is a relative to Minerva McGonagall.
Although some people may have been upset about how the director portrays Dumbledore and Grindelwald being gay but during that time period, people wouldn't outrightly tell others they are gay. The Mirror of Erised didn't show Dumbledore's greatest desire has him pulling socks out of his pocket. Grindelwald appears in the mirror as his greatest desire but his love waned when Gridenlwald became consumed with the Dark Arts and became obsessed with pure blood. However, how can one admit that they used to be in love with a fascist leader? The blood pact showed them interlocked fingers and Dumbledore at one point mentioned that he and Gridelwald were closer than brothers.
Speaking of Dumbledore and the blood pact, he uses Newt just how he uses Harry. Dumbledore only tells Newt that Newt is the person who can take down Grindelwald. He only tells Newt this because of the blood pact. Because of the blood pact, Grindelwald determines that Credence is the only way to Dumbledore's demise.
Grindelwald talks about how Credence's brother wants to destroy him. The only other person we know that had an Obscurus that has a brother is Ariana. However, what if that Obscurus that killed Ariana was transferred in another human being when Ariana died? The Obscurus doesn't always die with the body; it can be saved. What if Grindelwald is talking to Obscurus that killed Ariana but is now currently inhabiting Credence? By telling Credence he is a Dumbledore, Gridelwald manipulates Credence to do his bidding which is ultimately killing Dumbledore since Gridelwald cannot. This will give him leverage to gather his followers to move forth with his pure-blood agenda.
Crime of Grindelwald is a long drawn prologue to movie 3. It acts as a filler from the first movie to the future movies. I am hoping the the next movie explains some of the plot holes and will convince the audience that the Fantastic Beasts franchise isn't a bust.
If you want an Easter egg refresher from the first film connecting wizarding worlds, check out this post I wrote last year.
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