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| Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them - 2016 |
Coming up next we have 2016's "Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them", the first in a prequel series to the very successful Harry Potter franchise. British wizard Newt Scamander arrives in America and finds out that a whole bunch of strange things are going on in the wizarding world. On top of all this, several of his magical creatures have escaped.
The film's cast includes Eddie Redmayne, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Carmen Ejogo, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Johnny Depp, and Gemma Chan.
Arriving in New York in 1926, British wizard and magizoologist Newt Scamander has come to study the magical creatures of America.
The briefcase he has brought with him is full of strange and wondrous things. When you're writing a book on the subject of magical creatures, it's only fitting that you should own some, and Newt keeps all of his in this Mary Poppins sort of briefcase.
One of these creatures, a niffler, gets loose and is attracted by all things shiny and valuable. Unfortunately, Newt is unable to catch him.
Inside the case is a thunderbird named Frank. It's Newt's intention to return him to his natural habitat, "the wilds of Arizona".
There are many, many types of creatures in Newt's briefcase. Newt's new friend and aspiring bakery owner Jacob Kowalski can't believe his eyes. "I don't think I'm dreaming," he tells Newt. "I ain't got the brains to make this up." Jacob is a no-maj, a regular human with no magical capabilities and Newt has broken some rules by allowing him to glimpse into magical life.
Newt is also in possession of an Obscurus, which lives inside magically gifted children with suppressed capabilities. It's considered highly dangerous in the wizarding world.
With Jacob's help, Newt is able to track down the niffler, who is hiding out in a jewelry shop.
Several of Newt's creatures have escaped, including this monster, who falls in love with Jacob. He's got to wear special gear in order to lure it close enough for Newt to re-capture it. "Why would I have to wear something like this?" Jacob asks Newt. Newt replies, "Because your skull is susceptible to breakage under immense force."
Newt and Jacob are aided by two magical sisters, Tina and Queen Goldestein. Queenie and Jacob form quite the bond and it's adorable to watch their relationship grow. Tina and Newt have a sort of love/hate relationship.
Newt's arrival in America couldn't have come at a worse time. Things aren't going well for the wizarding community in New York, and the President of MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America) wants answers. Non-magical humans are being killed and relations between the two worlds are becoming hostile. What's more: evil wizard Gellert Grindelwald has escaped from prison and no one knows his whereabouts.
Groups such as the New Salem Philanthropic Society, led by Mary Lou Barebone, condemn witches and wizards to the citizens of New York. "Hear my words, and heed my warning, and laugh if you dare. Witches live among us!" she proclaims to the gathered crowds.
Mary Lou's adopted son Credence is at a loss to know what to do. He's been educated to hate the wizarding world, yet he is being actively sought out by Percival Graves, the director of magical security. The dilemma literally tears him apart.
And a mysteriously powerful obscurus is terrorizing New York. This magical being is even more powerful than the one that Newt has contained in his briefcase.
Soon, the magical forces are on display for wizards/witches and the no-maj humans to see, and none can believe their eyes.
And the appearance of Gellert Grindelwald, who has been hiding in plain sight, shocks everyone. "Do you think you can hold me?" he asks MACUSA president Seraphina Picquery. "We'll do our best, Mr. Grindelwald," comes her measured reply.
Cast rundown:
Eddie Redmayne..............................Newt Scamander
Dan Fogler.......................................Jacob Kowalski
Katherine Waterston.........................Tina Goldstein
Alison Sudol....................................Queenie Goldstein
Colin Farrell.....................................Percival Graves
Carmen Ejogo..................................Seraphina Picquery
Ezra Miller.......................................Credence Barebone
Samantha Morton.............................Mary Lou Barebone
Jon Voight.......................................Henry Shaw Sr.
Johnny Depp....................................Gellert Grindelwald
Gemma Chan...................................Madam Ya Zhou
And that's it for Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. During the filming for the Harry Potter movies, Eddie Redmayne auditioned for the role of Tom Riddle, but he was turned down after reading just one line. For Fantastic Beasts, according to J.K. Rowling, he was the only one in consideration for Newt Scamander and was offered the part without having to audition.
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