"Yesterday, a Wizard entered New York with a Case" Fantastic Beasts Review

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

5/5

Directed By: David Yates

Written By: J.K. Rowling
Rated: PG-13

           In the roaring 20's another day begins on the busy streets of New York City. A man walks to his job at a canning factory, members of the Magical Congress of the United States (MACUSA) file wand permits, an elderly woman makes her way to the steps of a bank where she will hand out leaflets, a sister waits at home and makes clothes to pass the time, a little girl recites a nursery rhyme, a boy sits alone in the darkness of his room, and a gentleman in a blue coat arrives from across the sea with only a wand and a case, a case full of fantastic beasts.
           David Yates' Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Fantastic Beasts) is a marvelous tale of estranged wizards, brave witches, a brilliant no-maj (non-magical), a wicked family, dark and terrible presences, and a numerous multitude of remarkable creatures, who have unfortunately escaped. In its essence, the film is a simplistic story about a team searching New York for these escaped creatures. More than this, though, the film dives into elements of oppressing magic, a need for understanding the unknown, the archetypal good pursuing knowledge, and the inherit evil attending chaos.
           The first standout ingredient of Fantastic Beasts is its marvelous characters. The main protagonist is the quirky magical zoologist and lead chaser of creatures Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). Accompanying him is the inquisitively sharp MACUSA magical police officer Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson). Joining them is the no-maj with impeccable comedic timing and an extraordinary heart, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Folger), and Tina Goldstein's delightfully splendid sister, Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol). In addition to the film's outstanding main cast is a whole city of memorable characters, such as the impressive President of the MACUSA, Seraphina Picquery (Carmen Ejogo), the cunning director of magical security, Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), and the tentative and aloof son, Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller). To say the least, all of the characters in Fantastic Beasts are uniquely genuine, and part of the joy of watching their adventure is seeing for yourself what they are capable of and where they go within this world.

           The world these characters inhabit is brought to life through the film's cinematic design. Each location is filled with detail and every object feels as if it has its own story and purpose. Every shot is engaging and often impossible to look away from. The camera movements are clearly done with care and precision, so as to bring audiences closer into the streets of 1920's New York City. The special effects and computer generated beasts are astonishing. The magic is tangible and the creatures could almost come home with you. All of these visual elements never distract from the unfurling adventure. They enhance the film by adding intensity to great battles, tenderness to soft whispers, or amazement to the next mystical creature sighting.

           Perfectly complimenting the visual aspects are Fantastic Beats' noteworthy orchestrations. The accompanying  music adds a new facet to this alluring motion picture. It is used to parallel the action on screen, and also to bring out new and indescribable feelings deeper within the story. The music also found unique ways to counteract what was happening onscreen making viewers perceive a moment with a visual and emotional perspective. I listen to the soundtrack often, for it reminds me of my splendid time at the theatre and how much I long to revisit this world.

           What makes this world so inviting by bringing these characters visual effects and musical compositions synergistically together is the story. This screenplay separates and elevates Fantastic Beasts above other films. This screenplay is an original work by J.K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter novels), and she has outdone herself. The dialogue runs the gamut of style and tone. It is fast paced witty and hilarious, engrossing enchanting and aw inspiring, or methodical revealing and crepuscular. Like the visual design, it always enhances and never distracts. Rowling's tale always felt free and wild, as if she could take her audience anywhere. Everything Rowling yearned to show her audience was present, because unlike her Harry Potter series Fantastic Beasts is not an adaptation. There is nothing missing from it, which gives the narrative a fundament of completeness. This is the whole work, and everything in is delved into with adventurous spirit and thrilling intrigue.

           While Fantastic Beasts is an original narrative, it takes place within J.K. Rowling's familiar and wonderful world of witchcraft and wizardry. Fantastic Beasts is in a sense a prequel to the Harry Potter series, however it does not rely on the success of that franchise. The film never uses emotions drawn from the Harry Potter franchise to construct the audiences' opinion of Fantastic Beasts. There was no deliberate use of nostalgia, and all harkens back to the first eight films were not without purpose and importance in this film. Audiences do not have to see any of the first eight films in order to appreciate this new and fantastic motion picture. This is a fresh start, and I implore you to hop on board.

           There is an uncountable number of gifts Fantastic Beasts has. Perhaps the greatest gift it offers is it is a treat for everyone. In our modern culture there are ever so few films with the ability to attract viewers of all ages and keep their focuses maintained. I am delighted saying Fantastic Beasts is a film for all ages and for the ages. The youngest of children will be dazzled by the playful nature of the film's characters and creatures. Youths will be entertained by the magnitude of this new and explorable world and the darker places lurking within it. Parents can rest assured their family will have a splendid time with this picture, while they too are hooked on the dynamic drama provided in this piece. Everyone will find something magical within Fantastic Beasts they will want to relive, and there will always be something new to discover with each viewing experience.

Verdict: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an engaging adventure with a riveting screenplay by J.K. Rowling herself, marvelous characters, remarkable creatures, and breath taking visuals, making for one unforgettable experience not to be missed.

"Forget Everything you Think you Know" Doctor Strange Review

Doctor Strange

3.5/5

Directed By: Scott Derrickson

Rated: PG-13

There is more to this life than anyone can possibly imagine. What is seen in this physical world is only a fraction of what exist. In our daily lives, there is a battle raging, a battle between a greater will power and endless darkness. It is a never ending assault on us to stop pursuing a life of humility and take from this world what we believe we deserve. Every second of our lives, there is an inward struggle. It is only magnified by what exist outside, not just outside of our bodies, but outside our understanding. What can we not explain? What will we never be able to explain? Few films have dared to explore this realm, and none of them are as engaging and mesmerizing as Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange.

Doctor Strange is the story of a man, a physician, with status, wealth and talent far beyond everyone else. He is a suffering man who hoards his bountiful gifts for himself; excessively lavishing himself with luxuries, placing himself on a pedestal above his neighbors, and refusing to treat patients in fear of losing his portrait of perfection. All this is taken from him in an instant. One fateful car wreck takes away all of his perceived gifts. Without his hands to operate and his wealth to keep him blissful, he is nothing but the man he already is. Searching the world for answers and miracles, he finds a group of prudent wizards following one enlightened leader. Through his time with these enchanters, he learns powers beyond his imagination, sees dangers no man can face alone, and hears the call to rise up and become a hero.

The special effects in Doctor Strange are second to none. The psychedelic promises from the trailers are all true, and they are not disappointing. Worlds collide with each other, matter bends in on itself, skyscrapers and streets merge, and unmatched shadows flood the screen. These effects never try to deliberately wow the audience, rather they employ themselves only when necessary. There are moments when buildings are flipping in on themselves and it takes the audience's breath away, but there are other times when a simple hand reaching through a portal is all that is needed. Doctor Strange is a great balance of mesmerizing kaleidoscopic cinematic scene-scapes, and the simple graces of a man floating up out of darkness.

Beyond the special effects, and unique story elements, Doctor Strange offers tremendous performances from its entire cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is perfect casting as Dr. Stephen Strange. Without his skill and commitment for his craft, this latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe could have been just another origin story worth nothing more than simply passing the time. Thankfully, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the leading role of Dr. Stephen Strange, with charisma, charm, and an unattractive arrogance. More than any other character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stephen Strange is dynamic. He not only rises up through gaining magical powers, but also through letting go of his ego. His development is engrossing, and worth watching.

Though the film has much to offer, there lies a great problem in Doctor Strange. Unfortunately it is a systemic one. The editing and pacing for the film is atrocious. Jump cuts do not seemed planned. The camera moves from room to room, without first establishing in which room the action originated. Characters wildly trade blows with each other, but the audience is left guessing for themselves who is winning and if they truly have the upper hand. This makes the fight scenes overbearing and difficult to pay attention to, but it is not enough to make the film unwatchable. Personally, I think most audiences will not even see this as a problem.

Marvel Studios Doctor Strange is a reminder to ourselves that there is more to life than we can possibly imagine. Stephen Strange is an excellent reminder of this. Even if all our work is lost, our efforts are in vain, and we sink lower than we could ever rise, there is always something more. There is something worth striving for greater than ourselves. For the power to flow out of your own body, fight the forces of evil with unrelenting passion, and bend time to your will is nothing compared to the true strength which comes through self sacrifice.

Verdict: Doctor Strange is a mystifying experience, with unforgettable special effects, excellent characters and a strong message on the temptations of pride and the heroics of humility.