Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) has the Hermione role and Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) has the Potter role as a defender of Magical Beasts.
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Film Review by Marlene Ardoin
The “Fantastic Beasts” magical clan in New York does not have the warmth of its English, “Harry Potter” counterpart.
It does not feel like 70 years back in time, rather like 70 years ahead of time. The United States does not have the castles and New York definitely does not have the English countryside. I think it should have started in England, just for reference.
Eddie Redmayne staring as Newt Scamander has the Potter role as a defender of Magical Beasts. In 2014, he starred as Stephen Hawking in “The Theory of Everything” and in 2016, Redmayne starred in the biographical drama “The Danish Girl,” which I could not get out of my mind while I was watching this movie.
What I would have liked to see was Newt capturing those beasts, in England and in other countries, then going to New York. It is not clear why he is going to New York. Why not just go straight to Arizona to release his creatures?
Katherine Waterston staring as Tina Goldstein, has the Hermione Granger role, but is a sorry version of her. Tina is a failure as an auror. She lacks the intelligence, pluck and inventiveness of a Hermione. She looks less powerful and she is less powerful. I would have liked to see her blossom into her power.
I found it hard to believe that Tina could have held onto Newt, without his polite co-operation. This is a very lop-sided partnership.
Turns out, Tina has a sister, Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol), who usurps all the sex appeal, beauty and heart, in her role. Too bad she prefers non-magical folk as possible suitors, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler).
Queenie seems to appreciate Jacob’s appreciation of her cooking. Okay, this is playing it too traditional. They keep Jacob around because he is so likeable?
Toward the end of this story, the magical beasts lose the focus. Now, we need to pay attention to magical children who have been abused by non-magical folk. Harry Potter was abused, but he never became a monster.
To tie this story together, Newt could have tamed this child, just like he does his magical beasts. That would have tied this story together better for me.
Are they a magical clan in New York, or vampires in New York? I was left with a very cold, disappointed feeling.
Screen-writer, J. K. Rowling, seems to suffer under the pressure of trying crank something out. I like it when she is adventurous and really knows and loves her territory.
11/28/2016 # Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.