Still from Fantastic Beasts, starring Eddie Redmayne [Copyright Warner Brothers, image via Facebook]

"New York is considerably more interesting than I expected."
That statement, uttered by the lovable Hufflepuff Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) pretty much sums up my thoughts on the newest installment in the Harry Potter franchise.

Moving the setting of Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them from jolly old England to 1920s New York is considerably more interesting than I expected.

There's something very perplexing about watching the wizarding world unfold in America. There are different rules, unique customs, and a whole slew of new slang. There’s no Hogwarts or Ministry of Magic. Instead, there’s an Ilvermorny, a Magical Congress, and laws that say muggles (or no-maj’s as they’re called in America) can’t be involved with wizards.

We see Newt arrive at Ellis Island, suitcase full of fantastic beasts including a Niffler -- a mole/platypus hybrid with a penchant for shiny things -- and a Bowtruckle, a shy green bean/praying mantis that can pick locks with attachment issues. Through some circumstances involving a bank and a baker named Jacob, these guys get loose and wreak havoc across the Big Apple.

But the beasts are an afterthought; halfway through the 133-minutes, all of Newt’s furry friends have been caught and returned. It is in fact another entity causing mass destruction in the city, and it’s something that has nothing to do with Newt’s suitcase.

Redmayne’s acting is superb; nobody else could have pulled off the charm and slight boyhood with such ease. I am convinced that he is Newt Scamander. And I am very much in love with him.

Similarly, Colin Farrell’s authoritarian Percival Graves is deliciously dark and perfectly balanced, while Ezra Miller’s portrayal as the abused Credence is as heart-wrenching as it was distressing. Jacob Kowalski, played by Dan Folger, shines as the muggle baker, caught up in the mayhem of the magical world.

But the star of the movie isn’t the grounded Tina, though Katherine Waterston does what she can with the role. Instead, it’s her Legilimens sister, Queenie, who steals the spotlight. Alison Sudol, a newcomer to box office blockbusters, takes what could have been a very fragile and sweet character and adds depth and spice. Queenie’s tenacity, kind-heartedness and sheer bravery makes for the most compelling character development in, argubly, the entire series.

JK Rowling, who wrote the screenplay this time around, is obviously setting the scene for the next five movies, building a world separate from the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. But the film needs more charm and more action to move the plot along; at times it feels stagnant, a bit boring.

It also lacks magic compared to the rest of the franchise. Where was the excitement of Diagon Alley? The allure of The Hogwarts Express chugging through the Scottish hillsides? The glamour of The Great Hall during the holidays?

In comparison, New York seems bleak, dirty, and harsh. The most magical elements were buried deep in Newt’s bag, hidden away in a supernatural speakeasy, or locked in the kitchen of Tina and Queenie’s apartment. The film doesn’t have the charisma and exuberance that made the first few Harry Potter films, and books, so successful.

However, the plot this time around doesn’t lend itself to the grandeur of Harry Potter’s wizarding world. Unlike the previous films, where fans were slowly brought into the tragic and dangerous elements hidden in the magical community, Fantastic Beasts jumps right in. It’s set in the heart of the Prohibition era with the Great Depression looming on the horizon and World War I having just been fought. It’s a dark time in American history, and the film capitalizes on the desolate attitude of a nation.

Overall, Fantastic Beasts successfully sets the scene for the next movies, and though it lacks a bit of charm, there’s a comfort in seeing Rowling's world again that’s as warm and cozy as your favorite blanket. It’s like meeting up with an old friend for coffee; things may have changed since the last time you saw each other, but regardless of how much time has passed, you're still invested in their life. And that bond, between two friends or between readers and their favorite book, will never go away.

3 / 5 stars