FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE

UK, 2022, 137 minutes, Colour.

Eddie Redmayne, Jude Law, Mads Mikkelsen, Ezra Miller, Callum Turner, Richard Coyle, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, Poppy Corby-Tuech, Alison Sudol, Jessica Williams.

Directed by David Yates.

This is the third film in the Fantastic Beasts series. The stories are the works of J.K.Rowling and the director is David Yates who made four of the Harry Potter films.  The first film made an impression but the fans were very disappointed with the second film. With the third, there are some changes. First of all, American writer Steve Kloves, who wrote all but one of the Harry Potter films, has joined J.K.Rowling for the screenplay. Fans and critics have already noted that the plot is clearer, better dramatic development.

Of course, the focus of the Fantastic Beasts tales is Professor Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts (and there is a visit to Hogwarts in this film, the students, the staff, and echoes of the musical theme). But, as in the earlier films, Dumbledore, played again by Jude Law, is in conflict with his former friend, Grindlewald. In fact, this film opens with a confrontation between the two, Grindlewald asserting an enmity and his overpowering desire to control the world of the wizards and even to conquer the world of Muggles.

A big difference for this film is that in the previous films Grindlewald was played by Johnny Depp. This time he is replaced by the Danish actor, Mads Mikkelsen, and always worth seeing, and has played many an effective villain over the decades. Here he is more subdued, always menacing.

And the other central character, Newt Scamander, once again played by Eddie Redman, gets caught up in the conflict. He is joined in the struggle to defeat Grindlewald by his brother, Theseus (Callum Turner).

The occasion for the struggle and a climax is an election for the best candidate to be the Chief Wizard. Grindlewald is relying on an acknowledgement by a small magical Dragon whose talent it is to recognise interior goodness and bow before that person. But, there are twin dragons and while one is magically controlled by Grindelwald, the other is eventually free to bow before the accepted leader.

Quite a lot of adventures, the finding of the dragons in Chinese forests, a hostile expedition led by Credence (Ezra Miller looking for all the world like a young version of Septimus Snape) to steal the little dragon, the involvement of the Muggle baker, Kowalski (Dan Fogler), and assorted allies, female and male, including Dumbledore’s brother, (Richard Coyle).

The climax takes place at quite an exotic setting, the last Castle, staircase and halls in Bhutan.

This film is often dark, even visually dark, and a film for adults rather than younger audiences (although those younger audiences for the Harry Potter films are now older, ready for Fantastic Beasts).

J.K.Rowling and the producers have promised two further episodes.

1. The impact of the first two instalments? Expectations of this episode? Fulfilment?
2. The work of JK Rowling, co-writing, the heritage of Harry Potter, the origin story of Albus Dumbledore? And glimpses of Hogwarts?
3. The title, the focus on Dumbledore? Yet new to Scamander as the central character?
4. The settings, the early 20^th century, New York City, Berlin, the world of the wizards, Bhutain? Grindelwald’s headquarters, castle? Hogwarts? The musical score and popular themes?
5. The opening, Dumbledore waiting, the touches of magic, sugar in his tea? Grindelwald’s arrival? The past friendship, Dumbledore’s love for him? The bond, the sealed necklace? Grindelwald and his ambitions, despising of Muggles? The setting up of the conflict?
6. Out in the woods, Mute, the Dragon, giving birth, Credence and his group, the attack, abducting the little dragon? New discovering that there were twins, taking the twin?
7. The character of Grindle world, past history, his associates and their loyalty, with the little dragon, killing it and absorbing the blood, in the pool? Going to Berlin, his candidacy for head Wizard, the management of the candidacy, the three candidates, Asian, female? The manoeuvrings? Kowalski, his presence, the attempt on Grindle Bolt, the accusations, the escape?
8. Dumbledore, mute as his pupil, Theseus and his presence? The emissions? The new to and his case, the picture of Tina? With the dragon? Theseus and his imprisonment? The rescue? The visit to Hogwarts? Dumbledore in charge, Kowalski at the table, the jokes?
9. Dumbledore and his associates, LE Hicks, Bunty? Dumbledore and his brother, his work, sullen? Credence, Dumbledore discovering his background, the family relationship, credence taken up by Grindle Bolt? Leading the team to kidnap the dragon? Treatment by Grindle Bolt? Dumbledore getting to him, building up to the confrontation, his death? His appearance like Septimus Snape?
10. Going to Bhutan, the five cases, the deception? Mute with the real dragon? In return, the various attacks on those with the cases, lonely and Theseus taken? Kowalski and the confrontation with Grindle Bolt, the wand, Kowalski rescued? The confrontation with mute, the woman taking the case, his pursuing her?
11. The assembled wizards, the election, acclamation, the Dragon, bowing to Grindle Bolt, the objection, the twin Dragon, bowing to Dumbledore, his declining, going towards the female Wizard and bowing to her, her becoming the head?
12. Adventures, magic, audience familiarity with the characters from the past, enjoying the adventures, the confrontation with Grindle Bolt and his shielding himself and disappearance, for future episodes?