The Wizarding World continues to spark discussions due to the incredibleHarry Potterfilms, yetFantastic Beasts:The Secrets of Dumbledoreoften gets overshadowed.TheFantastic Beastsseries is already being forgotten, and I know the film did not do so well with audiences and critics alike. However, despite the reception, I believe thatFantastic Beasts 3has a unique charm that resonates with viewers like me, as it offers new takes on the enchanting world ofHarry Potterthat I love while forging its own engaging path.
Though the film has its fair share of flaws, I still find something undeniably engaging aboutFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,and, in my opinion,Fantastic Beasts 3fixes the franchise’s previous problems.For me, it stands out as the most mature and driven entry in the spinoff series, even if it can’t hit the same heights as theHarry Pottersaga.Fantastic Beasts 3’ssetting, action, and emotional depth make it far better than its predecessors, making it my favorite Wizarding World spinoff to date.
Fantastic Beasts 3 Captures The Harry Potter Magic Through Its Setting And Acting
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledoremay not have ended the Wizarding World spin-off franchise the way I and many others hoped it would—Fantastic Beasts 3killed the franchise, after all. Yet, I believe it truly shines isits ability to recapture the magical atmosphere that madeHarry Potterso enchanting. The film’s setting, from the towering Hogwarts castle to the intricately designed Ministry of Magic, never ceases to transport me back to the spellbinding world I fell in love with years ago.
There are no current plans forFantastic Beasts 4,according to director David Yates. This is disappointing, as there are many waysFantastic Beasts 3perfectly sets itself up for a sequel.
However,Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledoresurprises with new stunning locations such as the German and Brazilian Ministries of Magic, the German Erkstag prison, the Austrian Nurmengard Castle, and The Eyrie, a beautiful ancient magic city in Bhutan, China. Each ofthese locations oozed the magic of the broader Wizarding World. Both the new and nostalgic backdrops, paired with the beautiful and enigmatic cinematography, pull the audience into a realm that feels familiar yet refreshing.
Beyond the magical visuals, the performances inFantastic Beasts 3breathe life into the franchise. Jude Law’s portrayal of Albus Dumbledore is one of the film’s standout elements. His magnetic presence brings gravitas to every scene he is in.Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) continues to be a perfect protagonistfor the series, even though he is consistently sidelined throughoutFantastic Beasts 3.
Yet the best performance comes from Mads Mikkelsen, who steps into the role of Grindelwald, delivering a chilling villain, providing a fresh takethat feels more grounded and grandiose than Johnny Depp’s. Despite the positives of Johnny Depp’s performance,Mikkelsen should stay Grindelwald inFantastic Beasts 4,if it happens. The performances of these three actors help elevate the film beyond its narrative shortcomings and immaculately recapture the magic of earlier installments.
Fantastic Beasts 3’s Story Has Plenty Of Redeeming Features (Despite Its Flaws)
The Film Offers Exciting Political Action And Intriguing Moments
While the story ofFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledorehas received its fair share of criticism, it is not without its strengths. At its core, the film continues to explore the fascinating dynamic between Dumbledore and Grindelwald—two former friends turned enemies. Their relationship, while not fully developed, adds emotional depth to the film that the previous installments lacked.This thread provides enough intrigue to keep audiences invested, even when the larger plot stumbles.
I’m Disappointed The Fantastic Beasts Movies Won’t Deliver On Their Best Promise
The Fantastic Beasts movies had their ups and downs, but if the franchise is gone for good, the central story will likely never be told properly.
Additionally, the movie attempts to balance the familiar with the new, bringing in intriguing magical elements like the phoenix and the qilin, both significant to the lore of the Wizarding World. While some subplots may feel undercooked or overly complex,the film does have moments that deliver genuine excitement. InFantastic Beasts 3,the stakes feel higher than in the previous entries, and there’s a sense of impending doom that keeps the audience engaged.
Despite its imperfections,Fantastic Beasts 3manages to offer more than enough compelling content to redeem its shortcomings, reminding fans of the darker, more mature themes that made the laterHarry Potterfilms so captivating.
The political drama and tight pacing were successful elements of the film’s narrative, and were the major contributing factors to why I vastly preferred this film to its predecessors. While the suitcase scene and climax were riddled with plotholes and issues, they were unforgettable sequences and two of my favorites in the series. Despite its imperfections,Fantastic Beasts 3manages to offer more than enough compelling content to redeem its shortcomings, reminding fans of the darker, more mature themes that made the laterHarry Potterfilms so captivating.
What Fantastic Beasts 3 Has That The Other Two Movies Don’t
Tighter Writing And Character Moments Make This Title Reign Supreme
What setsFantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledoreapart from its predecessors isits focus on character development and emotional depth. Unlike the first two films, which struggled to balance their expanding lore with personal stakes,Fantastic Beasts 3hones in on its key players—particularly Dumbledore and Grindelwald. This character-driven narrative helps the film feel more cohesive and grounded, despite the numerous plot contrivances. It’s the first time the franchise really dives deep into the psychology of its characters, adding layers of complexity that the other two movies barely touched on.
Fantastic Beasts 3’sshift in tone, combined with the more intense action sequences, makesFantastic Beasts 3feel like a higher-stakes adventure compared to the slower, more exploratory nature of the first two films.
Another thing the film offers is a sense of urgency and momentum that was missing in the previous installments, much in part due toFantastic Beasts 3’sless convoluted writing. The plot, while flawed, moves at a faster pace, keeping the audience on edge as the story unfolds.Fantastic Beasts 3’sshift in tone, combined with the more intense action sequences, makesFantastic Beasts 3feel like a higher-stakes adventure compared to the slower, more exploratory nature of the first two films.
As a result,Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledorestands out as not only the most dynamic and emotionally resonant entry in the series, but also the most tight, political, and action-packed in the series. For all of its shortcomings,Fantastic Beasts 3has carved out a unique and memorable place in the Wizarding World. It is my favorite Wizarding World spinoff film, and to me, its flaws don’t hold it back from living up to its title as a fantastic film.
