‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ is a box office beast

photo courtesy of vimeo.com

          David Yates, the director of most of the Harry Potter films, has once again made another “fantastic” movie. “Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them” is a story, adapted by J.K. Rowling, about a magic zoologist named Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). In 1926, around 70 years prior to the story of Harry Potter, Scamander embarks on an adventure into the muggle world of New York City to chase down his own fantastic beasts.

          Arriving with a briefcase containing unusual beasts, Scamander encounters a No-maj (non-magical fellow) by the name of Jacob Kowalski (Dan Floger), who opens his briefcase and lets his creatures out to the streets. Scamander gets in trouble with Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson), an Auror of the Magic Congress of the United States of America. Throughout the movie, Scamander and Goldstein buddy up to capture all the naughty beasts. However, there is more trouble brewing in the muggle world, all of which is being put on Scamander.

          An ancient creature called an Obscurus has run amok through the city destroying everything in its path. An Obscurus is a dark, destructive force inadvertently manifested by young magical children, Scamander and his team want to help out and capture this Obscurus to stop it from demolishing the whole city.

          Scamander’s overall goal is to study these creatures to help the wizarding world rather than kill them off and treat them like evil pests. His love and compassion for these animals is heartwarming for the audience.

          The animation of the movie was truly extraordinary. Watching this movie and seeing the details of all the mystical creatures offers fascinating exposure to the wizarding world of Harry Potter.

          In 2001, J.K. Rowling herself wrote the screenplay on this magical adventure. The movie is almost identical to the workings of the screenplay, and gives the feeling of the everlasting adventure. It is truly a charming experience set to be a box office success.