The CGI is really good, with both these instalments doing a much better job than the Harry Potter movies did.
Also, I recently got to know that this is the 2nd one in a total of 5. Why 5? We already know that the finale is 1 long duel between Grindelwald and DumbleDore. And we have them both introduced already. Why pad something which requires no padding?
However, in terms of detailing the world and its characters, Rowling seems to be doing a better job with her screenplays than she did with her epic books.
Johnny Depp seems aptly cast, even though many thought the opposite when the news of his casting was published initially. While I also felt the same, I did think he makes us see beyond Depp the star, when he wants to. He did take this paycheck seriously, and that's a good thing.
I did wish we got to see more of the titular 'crimes' from the villain, after all that's in the title. For some reason, we only get a couple (really serious ones, I might add).
We also really don't get much of the main characters' backstory either, and while that might be sequelitis, it's a pity for something as superior as I felt this was getting to be. Another example is the ditziness with which Queenie's character has gotten sketched. Does both her character and the actress an enormous disservice.
Ditto for 1 of the other French characters, a hench person of sorts.
I don't know if it's sequelitis, but the way certain supporting characters have been sketched did leave me wanting more, especially a key French figure (not the hench person), whose last name again connects this flick to the larger universe, but creates more confusion than anything else.
Was also confused by another key character who's setup both in the foreground and with multiple flashbacks, their family name used as a red herring (as indicated earlier), but is then dropped.
The score, other than its nods to the Harry Potter series, is magnificent. Especially during the (non) climax.
Dan Fogler is the pick of the performers, along with Redmayne. Jude Law's DumbleDore calls to mind his Watson, not just due to his makeup or the period setting, and it's déjà vu all over. Rowling seems to be correcting some lapses in her writing of his characterization (based on feedback?), and that adds some depth to his character. Something that conservative minds might find unpalatable, if they do understand it.
All in all, while it seemed unsatisfactory overall, I also feel that how the next one is structured will determine the final assessment of this one's quality.
Mandatory watching for Harry Potter completionists, like myself. For the others, the CGI might be the selling point.
Also, I recently got to know that this is the 2nd one in a total of 5. Why 5? We already know that the finale is 1 long duel between Grindelwald and DumbleDore. And we have them both introduced already. Why pad something which requires no padding?
However, in terms of detailing the world and its characters, Rowling seems to be doing a better job with her screenplays than she did with her epic books.
Johnny Depp seems aptly cast, even though many thought the opposite when the news of his casting was published initially. While I also felt the same, I did think he makes us see beyond Depp the star, when he wants to. He did take this paycheck seriously, and that's a good thing.
I did wish we got to see more of the titular 'crimes' from the villain, after all that's in the title. For some reason, we only get a couple (really serious ones, I might add).
We also really don't get much of the main characters' backstory either, and while that might be sequelitis, it's a pity for something as superior as I felt this was getting to be. Another example is the ditziness with which Queenie's character has gotten sketched. Does both her character and the actress an enormous disservice.
Ditto for 1 of the other French characters, a hench person of sorts.
I don't know if it's sequelitis, but the way certain supporting characters have been sketched did leave me wanting more, especially a key French figure (not the hench person), whose last name again connects this flick to the larger universe, but creates more confusion than anything else.
Was also confused by another key character who's setup both in the foreground and with multiple flashbacks, their family name used as a red herring (as indicated earlier), but is then dropped.
The score, other than its nods to the Harry Potter series, is magnificent. Especially during the (non) climax.
Dan Fogler is the pick of the performers, along with Redmayne. Jude Law's DumbleDore calls to mind his Watson, not just due to his makeup or the period setting, and it's déjà vu all over. Rowling seems to be correcting some lapses in her writing of his characterization (based on feedback?), and that adds some depth to his character. Something that conservative minds might find unpalatable, if they do understand it.
All in all, while it seemed unsatisfactory overall, I also feel that how the next one is structured will determine the final assessment of this one's quality.
Mandatory watching for Harry Potter completionists, like myself. For the others, the CGI might be the selling point.