“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

The Movie: I remembered hearing about Newt Scamander (played in the movie by the outstanding Eddie Redmayne) when I read through the Harry Potter series. He was the author of a book mentioned a few times entitled “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” The movie of the same name brings Newt’s adventure to life, helping us see how the would-be author gathered research for his book that would eventually be a must for every wizard’s library.

“Beasts” takes place in 1926 and follows Newt’s arrival in New York where he is on a quest to find a rare magical creature. Since he is a “magizoologist,” he specializes in capturing and studying said beasts, keeping them in his small suitcase that is far bigger than it appears. During his quest, he runs across Tina Goldstein, a witch and former investigator for the Magical Congress of the United States (Katherine Waterston) who desperately wants to prove herself worthy of regaining her status in the organization.

A non-magical factory worker and aspiring bakery owner, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), also known as a no-maj (“muggle” in England) accidentally bumps into Scamander and soon finds himself involved in the hunt for a strange and dangerous force that is threatening the city. During the hunt, we meet Tina’s bubbly and 1920’s starlet-esque sister Queenie (Alison Sudol), a shy young man involved in a modern day “witch hunt” named Creedence Barebone (Ezra Miller), Magical Congress heavy Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), and a host of other wizards, witches and more “non-maj” folks.

You don’t have to be a Harry Potter fan to see this movie, but it certainly helps.  There are many references to the series, but “Beasts” stands alone as an enchanting and well-done spinoff. As with many scripts trying to cut as much as possible and fit a big movie into the small-attention spans of today’s audiences, “Beasts” packs quite a bit of stuff into two hours and some may find it a little overwhelming and somewhat muddled at times. Still, there’s way more good than muddle.

As expected, the movie is visually stunning and Rowling once again creates characters that are endearing and memorable. Much to the delight of fans, we are presented with the knowledge that a much larger magical community exists outside of the Potter series.

I thought the performances were all fantastic, especially the quirky and eccentric Redmayne. I also loved Alison Sudol as Queenie and Fogler’s lovable baker, Kowalski.  Waterston is an intense actress with the ability to hold a scene without saying a word. We will be hearing a lot more from her. Farrell was good, and there was a cameo from Johnny Depp that will surprise and hint at “more to come.” The only performance I felt that didn’t quite fit was that of the Carmen Ejogo who plays President Seraphina Picquery. She seemed out of place. But in her defense, some of the wizarding community didn’t seem “period” to me. Maybe that was on purpose.

The Verdict: Go see it! The movie is charming and enchanting and fanciful. You’ll like it.

There will be a sequel.  As I said, reminding us that there are “wizarding” communities in other places besides Hogwarts promises endless possibilities. Potter fans are most likely tickled pink.

Grade: A

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is rated PG-13 and runs 133 minutes.