Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

4/5 Stars
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell
Classification: PG

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is wonderful. This whole story is based off of one of Harry Potter's textbooks. J.K. Rowling has said that as she was writing the textbook, Newt Scamander began forming an identity in her mind. This is fascinating to me. Of course, I'm also happy I get to revisit the wizarding community once again.

I was not sure how this story would play out, but of course I was willing to give it a chance. The twist at the end did catch me off guard and I am looking forward to the sequels. The monsters we are introduced to are beautiful and there is such a humanity to them. More so than the actual humans in the story.

This new story is set for a total of five films. J.K. Rowling wrote the script for this one and hopefully she will write the others as only she can truly explain those parts of the wizarding world we haven't seen. I loved that we got to see the American wizarding community. It is fantastically different from the modern, English world we are used to seeing. David Yates, who also directed the last four films in the Harry Potter franchise, brings 1920s New York to life.

The story opens with Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arriving on Ellis Island with a suitcase full of magical creatures which is illegal in the United States magical world. New York and MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) are quickly turned upside down as some of Newt's creatures escape.

He is arrested but not before becoming friends with ex-Auror Tina (Katherine Waterston) her sister Queenie (Alison Sudol) and a no-maj Jacob (Dan Fogler). There are also an array of other characters we are introduced to.

The beasts in this film are truly fantastic. We get glimpses of nifflers, bowtruckles and demi guises amongst others.

As Newt goes after his creatures he and his friends become involved in other plots including one involving an obscurus and Gellert Grindelwald, the famed evil wizard.

The film is magical. After Newt befriends Jacob, they both head down into Newt's suitcase. It is filled with magical creatures and they all have room to roam about. It feels good to be back in the magical world and as long as it continues existing, I will continue to be amazed by it.