It’s difficult to deny that ‘Grindelwald’ is a beautiful movie–at least, in the merit of its technical splendor and thematic complexity. But that portion may be just one of the few things to look at in this sophomore film from a series meant to chronicle the events before Harry Potter.
In the film, the story of the evil necromancer, Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), trapped in one of American Ministry of Magic’s highly guarded prisons, is followed. Presumably inescapable, the heavily fortified prison is proven to be futile in the presence of Grindelwald’s nasty allies. While the path rolled out from the wizard’s explosive escape (which is breathtakingly staged, by the way) arrives at a sense-shuddering cliffhanger, the proceedings that play in between, raise more mind-boggling questions than provide answers.
Of course this comes in cognizance of the fact that ‘Grindelwald’ is just second in at least five films that are supposed to complete Rowling’s new series of Harry Potter prequels. There is enough room to clear the currently cluttered Wizarding World universe, that is.
As the film dives into the darkier depths of the legend, it struggles to deliver its profundities with eloquence, failing to tie all the mysteries it bared, with ease.
One can’t say it never offers excitement, because it does. But that feeling may be actually confined within just few outstanding moments, most memorable of which, the mystery of Credence (Ezra Miller), which leads to one of the most heartstopping revelations in the film.
Eddie Redmayne as the introvert, Newt Scamander, is as cute as ever, joined by the dashing Jude Law as Professor Albus Dumbledore, whose connection to one of the film’s most important characters, may come as a mindblowing surprise.
But the film’s probably most outstanding achievement is no doubt, Johnny Depp, whose visciously despicable, Grindelwald, is terror personified. Depp’s commitment to the film is somewhat questionable, having often involved in several controversies in between doing the film and other cinematic projects, but it is difficult to deny Grindelwald, whose charisma and virility mold the character into a phenomenal persona.
Those things being said, the magic of ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald‘ is still largely predicated upon a hard hitting metaphor: Grindelwald, whose most terrifying power barely emanates from his impecabble maneuver of the wand, conjures abominable horror by employing his method of divide and conquer.
Political undertones lurk from its depths, and in the surface it brims an unfathomable amount of visual flair filled with breathtaking action setpieces – the escape sequence at the beginning, alone will keep you on the edge of your seat. Amazing creatures, exciting new adventures, and a heartstopping reveal awaits in one of JK’s wizarding world’s darkest chapters.
5 – Excellent
4 – Very Good
3 – Good
2 – Tolerable
1 – Terrible
‘Fantastic Beasts: the Crimes of Grindelwald’ is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
