Review of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) by Ryan M — 27 Nov 2018

This movie is packed full of nothing, while being all over the place. The some of the cinematography was lacking especially in the first half. It felt like the middle acts felt like they took up 80% of the movie and was all just build up for movie 3, and the pay off this movie wasn't great. Hopefully the next movie will capitalize on it, and make it come together as a series.

There was some really convenient and unnecessary plot that just felt like an excuse to draw out the movie, that doesnt pay off. And with the exception of a few characters the actual character and relationship development felt lackluster, at the end of the movie I thought Leta Lestrange was the most fleshed out character.

As a Harry Potter fan there is a lot that I liked and a lot I hated. There were only a few scenes where I kinda felt like I was watching something in the same world as HP. There are a lot of contradictions to cannon, which does bother me a lot.

I'm still questioning why Dumbledore teaches DADA and not transfiguration. Minerva McGonagall, and yes it is the same McGonagall, isnt even born yet, this is not timetravel, it is fanservice. I much would have preferred to Dumbledore taught transfigurations and been introduced to Professor Merrythought, who we know was teaching DADA (for the last 70 years) who is probably a pretty cool character. As for the Credence reveal, its basically impossible, there is a theory going around that I do like, but as for him being an actual brother I dont think JK would go that far off the rails.

I'm excited to for the next movie to bring things together (hopefully) and learn more about Albus/Grindewald.