I’m sure anyone reading this probably knows about my obsession with “Harry Potter” already. I love everything about Harry Potter SO much.. the books, the films, the fandom, etc. While in London last year, my boyfriend and I got to go and do the “Warner Bros: Making of Harry Potter” Studio Tour, and it was so incredible. I also this past year got a Deathly Hallows tattoo… so yeah I’m pretty much as big of a “fan” as you can be. It’s probably creepy, I don’t even know anymore haha. I’m too far gone to care.
Being such a big fan of HP, I was automatically completely excited and sold on it.. from even just seeing the first teaser trailer. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” was actually being filmed in Liverpool, during our trip to the UK last year, so I’ve been kind of getting ready for this one for a while.
Fantastic Beasts, in the Harry Potter world has always been a well known textbook/school book that is mentioned several times throughout the books. The book is super cute, and reads as a fake textbook, which on page one has been “signed out” by none other than Harry Potter. I’ll attach a photo here to show you what I mean by that.
The book is adorable, and it’s all about these magical beasts etc. I was so happily surprised when I heard it was being somehow turned into a movie! This movie was going to be WRITTEN AND PRODUCED by J.K Rowling, in her first Screenwriting job! This already sounded like the best thing I’ve heard about all year. The movie was set to be a prequel to the Harry Potter films, set in the 1920’s New York. “Fantastic Beasts” will be the first installment in this new series & the 9th overall film in the “Harry Potter Wizarding World” realm. So basically I had very high hopes for this, and let me tell you.. I was NOT disappointed. This film was the most magical thing ever.
We got our 3D tickets, put on the glasses and off we went! I wanted to love this movie so much, that I almost felt nervous as it started haha. The film starts out in the year 1926, immediately introducing the audience to the British Newt Scamander, aka the “author” of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (pictured below). He is arriving in New York City by ship, with a suitcase full of magical creatures. He is only supposed to be in New York as a quick stop, but almost straight away all kinds of wild shit starts happening. Creatures getting loose, running into magical things/ magical people. I loved how as soon as Newt gets to New York, we soon find out that the “Muggles” in America are called “No-Maj’s” aka No-Magic.. ex “Did you see the No-Maj?”. It’s so cute, and I loved hearing Newt mention Hogwarts, Muggles, and Albus Dumbeldore too. It made the words all come together very seamlessly.
This movie really takes off and doesn’t stop until the end. Newt meets the most hilarious and wonderful “No-Maj” Jacob, and he is perfect opposite Eddie Redmayne’s character of Newt. The comedic effect is genius. Also the “Fantastic Beats” aka Magical Creatures that Newt has with him are some of the most imaginative (not to mention BRILLIANT computer effects) creatures ever. The Niffler is the cutest thing I have ever seen, and he completely steals the show in my opinion.
I don’t want to spoil the plot of the movie, or give away any of the creatures, the adventure, or the romance. I can tell you however, that this movie lived up to every single expectation I could have had. It was so well shot, well acted (Eddie Redmayne, Colin Farrell & Ezra Miller, just to name a few). Eddie Redmayne is so lovable, awkward and perfectly quirky as Newt, and the audience really falls in love with him. It was so interesting to see the American take on the Wizarding World, and to see witches and wizards in the 1920’s, as opposed to the more modern day Harry Potter story lines. This movie gets an absolute 10/10, and I recommend everyone to go and see this one. Even if you aren’t a Harry Potter fan at all, or have never even seen a Harry Potter film… This series is completely fresh and new take on a familiar old world, but it stands on it’s own. Loved every single second of this.
Top: Brandy Melville
Wand: Chapters Indigo
Book: Chapters Indigo