MOVIE REPORT CARD: FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

DATE: 11/18/16
TITLE: FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
DIRECTOR: DAVID YATES
STARRING: EDDIE REDMAYNE, DAN FOGLER, COLIN FARRELL, KATHERINE WATERSTON

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GRADES

ACTING: 90
DIRECTING: 85
SCREENPLAY: 75
EDITING: 75
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 90

​FINAL: 83/B

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COMMENTS

While Fantastic Beasts offers a great deal of charm and wonder, the meandering story lets it down a bit. This first entry into the new Fantastic Beast franchise, is bogged down by long points of nothing, and set-up to future installments. It takes a good forty-five minutes, before the meat of the story gets a jump-start. Thankfully, a talented cast, and director David Yates, elevate the film to something else entirely. There's just enough here, to wet the appetite to see where this whole thing goes in the future. Redmayne, is so charming as the kooky Newt, and Dan Fogler, adds some great comic relief. And the titular Fantastic Beasts, are a wonder to watch. It's a miracle that the story was able to hold itself together here, let alone produce a product that came out halfway entertaining. In the end, it's a fun watch.