Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Director:

David Yates

Writer:

J.K. Rowling

Stars:

Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol

Won 1 Oscar. Another 14 wins & 52 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Eddie Redmayne	...	Newt
Sam Redford	...	Customs Official
Scott Goldman	...	Customs Official (voice)
Tim Bentinck	...	Witness
Tristan Tait	...	Reporter
Colin Farrell	...	Graves
Tom Clarke Hill	...	Photographer 2 (as Tom Clarke-Hill)
Matthew Sim	...	Photographer 1
Katherine Waterston	...	Tina
Samantha Morton	...	Mary Lou
Dan Fogler	...	Jacob Kowalski
Ezra Miller	...	Credence Barebone
Faith Wood-Blagrove	...	Modesty Barebone
Jenn Murray	...	Chastity Barebone
Cory Peterson	...	Bank Employee

Storyline

In mid-20s New York, Newt Scamander, the British young activist wizard, arrives in town, holding a mysterious leather suitcase which shelters a wide array of diverse and magical creatures that exist among us. Amid an already fragile equilibrium of secrecy, and the increasing disasters ascribed to the dark wizard, Gellert Grindelwald, Newt's precious suitcase will be lost--and to make matters worse--several creatures will manage to escape. Before long, this situation will catch Senior Auror Percival Graves' attention who will target Newt, in the background of an invisible, devastating, and utterly unpredictable menace that still wreaks havoc on 5th Avenue. In the end, is there a hidden agenda behind Graves' intentions; moreover, what will happen to the remaining fantastic beasts still loose in the streets?

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Plot Keywords:

suitcase | magic | wizard | new york city | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

From J.K. Rowling's wizarding world.

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some fantasy action violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Khmer

Release Date:

18 November 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

Animales fantásticos y dónde encontrarlos

Filming Locations:

Leavesden Studios, Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$180,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$74,403,387, 20 November 2016, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$234,037,575

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$814,037,575

Company Credits

Production Co:

Heyday Films, Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Sound Mix:

DTS (DTS: X) Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos Dolby Surround 7.1 12-Track Digital Sound IMAX 6-Track Auro 11.1 Sonics-DDP

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The record of Newt's expulsion from Hogwarts is very similar to Hagrid's in 1942, as detailed in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Both involve "accidents" regarding a dangerous magical creature, although it is possible that Newt was justly accused, unlike Hagrid, who was framed by Tom Riddle. A further connection between the two characters might be inferred, in that Hagrid refers to himself as Norbert the dragon's "mummy", and when Newt approaches the nest of occamies, he says, "Mummy's here."

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Goofs

At the scene of a building collapse a cop tells the crowd it isn't a gas explosion because there is no smell of gas. But natural gas is both odorless and colorless, adding odor to the gas was globally adopted after the New London School explosion of 1937. So even if there had been a gas leak or explosion, the cop would not have been able to smell gas.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Newt Scamander: [whispers to his case] Dougal... settle down now, please.
[Dougal grumbles]
Newt Scamander: It won't be long.

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Crazy Credits

An occamy slithers into the film title to form the S in "Beasts".

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Connections

Referenced in Good Morning Britain: Episode dated 27 February 2017 (2017)

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Soundtracks

Hedwig's Theme
by John Williams

User Reviews

Fantastic, lives up to its name!

This is another movie I've been champing at the bit to see and have high expectations. So, let's just get something out of the way from the get. Although, this is another J.K. Rowling creation directed by David Yates, Beasts is NOT Harry Potter. It's the wizarding world created by Rowling, but events take place in 1926 America. New country, new characters, new stories. That being said…

…For me, the movie started a little slow, only because I've been all over Pottermore devouring all the new info/material Rowling has released (while avoiding the actual book) with the run up to the film. As such, I was just impatient to get to the meat of the story without preamble. Not that the preamble itself is nicely done and quite enjoyable as far as origin stories go. Being a period piece, the creators have gone all out with ornate set design, costuming, and props all which suck you into the story that unfolds and adds to the magic and wonder.

The cinematography, lighting, editing, musical score, and visual effects are first rate and serve to create a world that feels real enough to actually step into. No small feat given the use of CGI in today's film. In particular the world where Newt's fantastical beasts resides is absolutely stunning and deserving of its own movie. I could easily get loss in exploring every nook and cranny.

Eddie Redmayne, as Newt Scamander is a joy to watch. No surprise given his recent turns in movies from Les Miserables to The Danish Girl. Quite the chameleon actor. Redmayne uses everything at his disposal: body language, awkwardness, and mannerism to create a charming, interesting, and endearing three dimensional character. I can't wait to learn more about/see him in future franchise films.

Dan Fogler is pure gold as Jacob Kowalski. A "no-maj" in the wrong place at the wrong (or is it right time?) that finds magic is real and is taken for the ride of his life far beyond anything he can conjure in his imagination. Fogler is perfectly cast. Extremely likable, funny, open, and amazed at the magical world unfolding around him, makes for the ideal surrogate for the audience.

The story itself is deceptively straight forward on the surface (magical creatures get lose in New York and need to be captured before the non-wizarding world discovers magic is real), but like other/best epic films such as Harry Potter or Star Was is merely the seed for a more encompassing, far reaching, adult tale that will fire the imagination and entertain for years to come.

Wands at the ready and head to the theater. This one is a solid 9 and needs to be seen and enjoyed on the big screen.