FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE | MOVIE REVIEW | NORTHLANDS

(L-R) JESSICA WILLIAMS as Eulalie “Lally” Hicks, CALLUM TURNER as Theseus Scamander, JUDE LAW as Albus Dumbledore, FIONNA GLASCOTT as Minerva McGonagall, DAN FOGLER as Jacob Kowalski and EDDIE REDMAYNE as Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore did not disappoint! There definitely were fantastic beasts – some of the old ones like the little thieving diricawls and the ‘grasshopper’ Pickett, and some new ones including the extremely hilarious dancing ‘scorpions’ blast-ended skrewts. And yes, some of the long whispered secrets of Dumbledore were revealed!

The movie isn’t short on comic scenes but, as usual, serious social concerns are subtly woven into the storyline. The inclusion of the ‘muggle’ Jacob Kowalski in the effort to save the world being one that strikes a chord. There are moments in the movie that make one reflect on the current war; will you see the similarities between Grindelwald and another figure prominently in the news?

EDDIE REDMAYNE as Newt Scamander in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

A stellar cast with the ever-lovable Eddie Redmayne in his role as Newt, Jude Law as Dumbledore and Mads Mikkelsen of ‘Hannibal’ fame as the new Grindelwald makes this movie a thoroughly entertaining experience.

You will recognise some minor characters from previous movies such as Lally (Prof. Eulalie Hicks) and Aberforth Dumbledore, but there are new additions to the gang, such as Yusuf Kama (Leta Lestrange’s brother) and Theseus, Newt’s brother!

L-r) EDDIE REDMAYNE as Newt Scamander and JUDE LAW as Albus Dumbledore in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

And for those of us who have missed travelling, the movie takes us from a mountain-top in Brazil to Berlin in the 1930s, from New York to Bhutan, and a few other places in between. The nostalgia factor was also brilliant – a little visit to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade Village, another taste of Quidditch, and of course, the theme music. I bet it will make you want to re-watch at least the first two Fantastic Beasts movies, if not Harry Potter too!

I will look forward to the other two movies in the series but hopefully with no changes in the central cast…

Check times & dates for Hoyts HERE, then head to Northlands for a delightful family movie to go with your popcorn.