Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) | Movie Review

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), directed by David Yates, is the magical prequel to the beloved Harry Potter franchise. Based on the fictional textbook written by J.K. Rowling, the film introduces a new cast of characters and a fresh magical world set in 1920s New York City. With dazzling special effects, quirky creatures, and a rich historical backdrop, this film transports audiences to an era where magic is both wondrous and dangerous.
Plot Overview
Set in 1926, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them follows Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne), a British magizoologist (magical zoologist) who travels to New York City with a suitcase full of magical creatures. He plans to release some of his creatures into the wild, but his arrival in the city sets off a series of unexpected events. When one of his creatures escapes, it leads to a series of mishaps that threaten the delicate balance between the magical and non-magical (Muggle) worlds.
As Newt navigates the magical underworld of New York, he crosses paths with Tina Goldstein (played by Katherine Waterston), a former Auror (magical law enforcement officer) who is trying to regain her position, and her sister Queenie (played by Alison Sudol), a Legilimens (someone who can read minds). Together, they uncover a dark force, Gellert Grindelwald (played by Johnny Depp), who is beginning to rise to power and threatens the fragile peace between the magical and non-magical communities. Along the way, they also befriend Jacob Kowalski (played by Dan Fogler), a no-maj (non-magical person) who accidentally becomes entangled in the magical chaos.