Although Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets hits theaters on April 14, there have already been several people who have seen it on the big screen. Some of them point out that this film is better than its predecessor, but that it is still not entirely convincing.
After four years since the last movie, Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets It’s a week away from being released in theaters. Although many fans of the franchise are excited to see this new installment, there are several others who, after the problems that the production had (whether due to the pandemic, Johnny Depp, Ezra Miller either JK Rowling), they were losing enthusiasm. So we will see what the critics say of those who already had the opportunity to go see it at the cinema. Don’t worry, there are no spoilers.
For those who don’t know, the production of Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets was delayed not only by the pandemic, like so many other films, but also by domestic abuse allegations against Johnny Depp (whom they replaced with Mads Mikkelsen to interpret Grindelwald), the various cases of violent behavior of Ezra Miller and controversial anti-trans comments from Rowlingthe writer of the saga.
Despite all this, the story starring Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) continues in a third film that puts in the center of attention the relationship between Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) Y Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen). David Yachtswho was in charge of the last four installments of Harry Potter and the whole saga fantastic animalsreturns to lead, while JK Rowling is in charge of the script with Steve Klovers.
“The teacher albus dumbledore knows that the mighty dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald he’s making plans to take over the wizarding world.”says in the synopsis Warner Bros. “Unable to stop it on his own, he trusts the magizoologist newt scamander to lead a fearless team of wizards, witches and a brave Muggle baker on a dangerous quest, encountering animals old and new and facing off against a growing legion of Muggle followers. Grindelwald. The stakes are high so we wonder how long he can stay dumbledore aside”.
Without making it any longer, here are some reviews:
#SecretsOfDumbledore is a big bounce back for the #FantasticBeasts series for me! Back to enjoying the group dynamic & caring about the main mission. A lil thin here & there but a FAR more engaging ride than the last. Dan Fogler continues to be a favorite … and the Niffler. pic.twitter.com/QBkyMOq4UT
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) March 29, 2022
From Insider, Kirsten Acuna remark that “Mikkelsen gets into the role of Grindelwald so naturally that it is easy to forget that Depp ever played the part”. Furthermore, he adds: “Mikkelsen interprets Grindelwald with a soft, charming charisma that convinces you why anyone would be seduced by this handsome, handsome wizard and tricked into fighting a war for him.”
peter debrugefrom Variety, says: “Johnny Depp is out, but his character, Gellert Grindelwald, has become more powerful than ever. Now played by Mads Mikkelsen (without addressing the change) in a more realistic and less cartoonish line, Grindelwald he is determined to instigate a world war around the same time a certain Nazi was elected chancellor of Germany.”
From The Hollywood Reporter, lovia gyarkye writes: “Compared to the previous two movies, Dumbledore’s secrets looks more like a movie Harry Potter that one of fantastic animals. While some magical creatures do appear (one is even central to the plans of dumbledore Y Grindelwald) are by no means the anchor. This installment revolves around dumbledorea more interesting character than the supposed hero of the series, newt. That change focuses the narrative of the film, but it doesn’t help those of us who are trying to figure out the purpose of the series very much.”
On the other hand, and a little harder, Siddhant Adlakhafrom IGN, rates the film a 4 and says: “Dumbledore’s secrets It is the third film in the series. fantastic animals; there are two more entries planned, but finishing the spin-off of Harry Potter here would be a mercy. There is nothing fantastic about the new movie. The story is boring. The characters are more boring. It’s visually unimaginative, and there are few real secrets to speak of (a reveal from the last entry lightens it up slightly, but that’s about it).”
Peter Bradshaw, of The Guardian says: “Dumbledore’s secrets is another very lovable and charming-looking fantasy adventure with great production design and visual effects, especially in the New York scenes. But it’s not so much about ‘secrets’ as it is about new narrative components of IP franchises being mixed into the ongoing content over and over again. However, there is certainly something intriguing about the questions that arise from the saga’s approach to the existing timeline of Potter.”
from Empire, Ben Travis comments: “This is at least an improvement of The crimes of Grindelwald, in many ways is a corrective to that film’s aimless narrative, muddled exposition, and undeserved character decisions. While parts of Secrets still feel confusingly plotted, more fun is on the way, with some impressive wizard duel sequences and a great beast-themed set piece that justifies the franchise’s overall title.”
Rachel LaBonte, of Screen Rant, remarks that while the film is aided by a plot “most exciting and wonderful magic“, yet “does not completely solve all the problems of its predecessor” and he has a lot of work ahead of him. In addition, it adds: “This movie is meant to be the midpoint of a five-movie franchise. However, by the time the credits roll, it may be hard to decide if anything important has really been accomplished. There is a feeling that, except perhaps for one major development, dumbledore and the other heroes end up right where they started at Fantastic Beasts 3”.
From EW, Leah Greenblatt comments that Dumbledore’s Secrets “feels like an upgrade” compared to its predecessor. “It’s snappier, sweeter and more cohesive in its story. And the cast, less caught up in a mixture of symbolism and half-formed subplots, is allowed more real and romantic stakes. Yet for a franchise that promised five movies before the first one was released, Beasts remains an oddly liminal experience: born from a fantasy universe, but still searching for a magic of its own..
The cast consists of: Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Mads Mikkelsen, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Callum Turner, Jessica Williams, Richard Coyle, Victoria Yeates, William Nadylanamong others.
To draw your own conclusions and see if the franchise is not enough or if this movie is better than the one from The Crimes of Grindelwaldremember that Fantastic Beasts: Dumbledore’s Secrets hits theaters April 14.