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An extension of the Wizarding World into Roaring Twenties New York. Perhaps the first and most important any moviegoer may ask is 'Is Harry Potter in this?'. This can be swiftly answered with a firm no - and that is the best decision made in the film. 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them did what no Harry Potter film has done; it gave us the real-world view of all the wizarding conflicts, while still appreciating the historical era in which it is set.
Of course, the film must respect the lore the Harry Potter movies have set in place, and it does so in a way that does not hold back the film but propels it forwards. We are presented with a charming yet humble lead brought to life by Eddie Redmayne, while the rest of the characters are played by smaller, but talented names.
The film is largely structured as a buddy-adventure movie featuring Scamander and Kowalski (Dan Fogler), with compelling leads such as Queenie and Tina Goldstein (Alison Sudol and Katherine Waterston, respectively) joining at various points. The film does well not to simply stand on its own, but launch the next four films in the 'Fantastic Beasts' genre by introducing some pivotal characters from the 'Harry Potter' mythos. There are many riveting directions the series could take the story and whether you're a general cinema-goer who is only interested in a good film or someone who is searching for the next multiple-movie journey, I strongly recommend you to see this film.
★★★★☆