Harry Potter Fans With No Life

I too, think will try to go this weekend - still undecided though. And I agree ... I think that although there is cool magic and creatures, the 'political' may be too overpowering for it to be a great movie.

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I agree Tonks. The whole Depp thing is a bit disconcerting.

Wait a minute ... "hold the clapperboard" ... since when was Depp given the role of Grindelwald??? Seriously? Ugh! Nothing against Depp, but I just don't see it.

wow - they are pulling out all the stops for this movie aren't they.

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I like both those actors a LOT, besides Dumbledore could have liked a pretty face. (And since Depp looks almost the same as he did twenty years ago, its quite possible he's the same age as Dumbledore.)

I think he is great as a leading character - Benny & Joon was awesome, as was the first Pirates movie - and I know he (extremely) gets into character. The movie is supposed to be about Newt and his creatures ... how the heck does Grindelwald even play into this. Unless, of course, it is going totally political and 'war' ish.

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re: Depp - My understanding is that its a subtle mention in this one and bigger part later on. Since this one is set in the 1920s it might be a mention of the previous world war (like a newsreel clip?), or maybe news reports of unrest in Europe?
This one is about Newt recapturing escaped-from-the-suitcase critters, but there have to be side stories to make it less one diminutional. I think most of the "political" is Colin Ferrel being tired of having to hide his magic.

right ... I forgot ... there are going to be two more movies attached to this. Which means it will end with a "to be continued"; and us waiting years to find out if the critters ever get caught. (is my JKR cynicalism showing?)

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YAY - I finally convince hubby to take me to the movie tonight.

ok - ok ... I was so sceptical going into this movie
maybe that is why I ENJOYED it so much. The trailers made me think it was going to be just another political fight between muggles and witches/wizards. It was soooooo much more! Although I don't think it was rightfully titled (let's face it, it wasn't entirely about Newt - sort of but not entirely). There are a few scenes I am still chuckling about! I can't wait until this becomes available on Netflix or DVD so I can watch it again.

who can name all the beasts that were in the movie???

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I just got back from seeing Fantastic Beasts. I loved it.

Granted, Newt mumbles some of his lines (I think Redmayne was still affected by his excellent Theory Of Everything portrayal of Stephen Hawking because he's slouchy/bent, and doesn't articulate quite a few lines very well)...
And the theater I was at is convinced that anyone who comes there is deaf. The previews were painfully loud; all the kids I could see were plugging their ears with their fingers so I did, too.

But!
Cinematically its better than any of the Harry Potter movies. There are NO KLOVES-LACK-OF-SEGUES!!! There are no gaps in logical progression of the story, no jumps from place-to-place in seemingly random fashion!
There's LOTS of magic! With this one they remember that its a magical world (as opposed to, for example, the first DH where there were lots of soap opera dramatic scenes with very few background items moving themselves around or changing themselves. There are always little touches like that going on in this one!)
The "Fantastic Beasts" look like what they should! Spoiler: (Yeah, my Erumpent looked more elephant-ish even though JKR's description is exactly what this one looks like.)
Whoever cast it did PERFECT! Whoever does costumes and sets did PERFECT!

Spoiler: They do a wonderful job showing us what made Adrianna Dumbledore so dangerous after she'd been attacked. Its a fairly major plot point and quite well done.

I want to see it about 87 more times! Loved it!

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yes - the mumbling thing got me too. I only missed a few lines though (another reason a dvd will be a must, so I can read the subtitles). There were no lineups getting into the theatre (which a lady at work thought there was going to be) - actually there were less than 50 people.

LOL - still chuckling over the erumpent scene; way too funny!
I think the characters were very well cast. I am not sure how Dan Fogler got the muggle part, but I am sure glad he did. He was perfect! And Ezra Miller as Credence was brilliant.

... lol ... off to bed to dream about nifflers and bowtruckles

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