The revival of the world of Harry Potter in the movie “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is exciting for some but appalling for others. Expected to have an IMAX 4k and 3D release, the film is set to play in theaters on November 18.
In this fantasy action film taking place 65 years before Harry Potter had first stepped into Hogwarts, the story revolves around a young magizoologist (a person who studies magical creatures) named Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) in New York during the year 1926. Scamander finds himself in a place where wizards live in constant fear of being found out by the No-Majs (american terminology for muggles). While he may have only had the intention of taking a quick one day trip to the city with his suitcase filled with rare and endangered beasts, when a few manage to escape, his short trip becomes a long quest to find his creatures and save them from what Samander calls “the most vicious creatures on the planet,” or humans. As time goes on, he finds himself getting help from a no-maj Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), Porpentina ‘Tina’ Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), and Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol). Other important cast members include Ezra Miller playing the role of Credence, and Colin Farrell who plays the role of Percival Graves.
While the story may still take place in world of Harry Potter, the plot itself has nothing to do with the original storyline. To some Harry Potter fans, this isn’t very acceptable. According to Bridget Groves ’19, the film is a bit disappointing. Having read the book that this film was based on and having a better understanding of the plot, she said that “It doesn’t match with the rest of the books. I felt like it was just suddenly kind of a gritty-bring-back-to-reality story when it was all about that mystical sense of the Harry Potter World. It was just kind of far removed from from the characters and cast that you love that it’s kind of just like ‘okay then’.”
However there are those who are willing to look past this and simply accept the story for what it is. English teacher Ms. Collettie-Houde takes a more open-minded approach to the film. When talking about her interest in the film and how it may turn out, she stated that “we have to be flexible with our understanding, that doesn’t mean that we have to enjoy it, but we can also appreciate it for what it’s worth as well.”
Others, like Carter Teplica ’19, are a bit confused about how they feel about this movie. Despite claiming that he thought that the plot was good, he stated that it “certainly is not as good as the original series. I accept it as it is, but with a little bit of hesitation…I don’t think it will quite live up to the standards of the others.”
Another big fan of the original series, the Secondary Literacy Coach Ms. Marsick, is also a little mixed about the upcoming film. She says, “[I’m] kind of ambivalent about this movie. I don’t feel like it’s a new Harry Potter movie, just a new movie that J.K Rowling is a part of. I loved the movies but can’t consider this to be a part of that world. People have told me in general that sometimes you just got to see it for what it is, but like, I can’t do it with this.” However, she does show interest in watching the film and states that “It’s not a Harry Potter movie, but based off of the trailer, it does seem like a good movie to watch and will probably end up watching it with my kids when it comes out.”
Even Groves, when setting aside her love for the original story though, admits that she is a little bit excited for the film. “I have a feeling that it’s not going to be what I want it to be, but for the main actor, Eddie Redmayne, I’m going to see it. Something else that’s going to be cool though, I think, will be the new technology, the CGI style, and all the beasts. I think it will be fun.”
