A Fantastic Start… That Should’ve Stayed Standalone
Let’s Start Off By Showing Y’all The Trailers Shall We? 🎬
Before I get into the movie itself, I have to say something that’s bugged me ever since this came out.
This should have been a standalone movie.
Seriously.
This film tells a complete story. Newt comes to New York, chaos happens, Grindelwald is exposed, Jacob gets his bakery, and Newt returns home. Roll credits.
But nope.
Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling decided this needed to become a five-film saga.
Five.
And after seeing where the sequels went…yeah…this really should’ve just been left alone.
Non-Spoiler Plot Overview 🧭
Set decades before Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts follows Newt Scamander, a magizoologist who arrives in New York carrying a magical suitcase filled with incredible creatures.
Unfortunately for him, he accidentally swaps briefcases with Jacob Kowalski, a kind-hearted No-Maj (Muggle) who’s simply trying to get a loan so he can open his own bakery.
You can probably already guess where this is heading.
Creatures escape.
The Ministry gets involved.
Newt has to round up his magical animals before the wizarding world is exposed.
It’s actually a very simple story.
Unlike the sequels that became obsessed with world-ending wizard politics, bloodlines, prophecies, and confusing lore, this first movie keeps everything grounded.
It’s basically one giant magical adventure with a surprisingly lovable cast.
Character Rundown 🎭
Newt Scamander is probably one of the most unique protagonists in the Wizarding World.
He’s awkward.
Socially uncomfortable.
Much more interested in magical creatures than people.
But that’s exactly what makes him likable.
He’s not trying to become a hero.
He just wants to protect his animals.
Jacob Kowalski absolutely steals this movie.
He isn’t a wizard.
He has no clue what’s happening.
He’s basically dragged into the adventure kicking and screaming, yet somehow becomes the heart of the entire film.
His chemistry with Newt is fantastic, and honestly, most of the comedy comes from Jacob simply reacting to how insane the wizarding world is.
Then we have Tina Goldstein.
She’s trying to prove herself after falling out of favor with MACUSA, and while she isn’t the funniest character, she’s a solid lead alongside Newt.
Her sister Queenie is probably one of the most entertaining characters in the movie.
Her ability to read minds creates some genuinely funny moments, but she’s also incredibly sweet.
Her relationship with Jacob ends up becoming one of the emotional highlights of the film.
Then there’s Credence Barebone.
He’s easily the most tragic character here.
Raised in an abusive household, constantly told to suppress who he is, it’s no surprise he eventually breaks.
His storyline is dark compared to the rest of the movie and adds some much-needed emotional weight.
Speaking of his family…
Samantha Morton plays Mary Lou Barebone, Credence’s abusive adoptive mother.
This is actually the third thing I’ve now seen Samantha Morton in.
First was The Walking Dead, where she played Alpha.
Second was Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, where she played Circe.
And now Fantastic Beasts.
She really does have a talent for playing intimidating characters, because Mary Lou is absolutely awful. She’s abusive, controlling, fanatically anti-magic, and you completely understand why Credence eventually snaps.
Finally we have Percival Graves…
Or should I say…
Grindelwald.
I’ll be honest…
I never found this twist surprising.
The movie literally shows Grindelwald’s hairstyle near the beginning, then shortly afterward introduces Colin Farrell from behind with an almost identical hairstyle.
I remember thinking…
“Yeah…that’s obviously him.”
Still…
Colin Farrell does a great job throughout the movie, and Johnny Depp’s reveal certainly changes the energy heading into the finale.
Pacing / Story Flow ⏱️
This movie moves surprisingly well.
It’s constantly introducing new magical creatures, taking us to different parts of New York, and balancing comedy with darker moments.
One minute you’re laughing at Jacob.
The next you’re watching Credence suffer horrific abuse.
Then suddenly you’re inside Newt’s magical suitcase, which remains one of the coolest locations ever introduced in the Wizarding World.
The film rarely slows down too much, and because the central plot is so simple, it’s easy to follow from beginning to end.
Pros ✅
Jacob is amazing.
Seriously.
He completely steals almost every scene he’s in.
The magical creatures are incredibly creative.
Nifflers are still adorable little thieves.
The Erumpent sequence is hilarious.
The suitcase world is beautiful.
This movie expands the Wizarding World without feeling like it’s trying too hard.
The humor lands far more often than it misses.
The chemistry between Newt and Jacob carries the movie.
The New York setting is refreshing after spending so many years at Hogwarts.
And despite my issues with the sequels…
This first film genuinely feels magical.
Cons ❌
This really should’ve been a standalone movie.
Knowing where the franchise eventually goes actually hurts this film in hindsight.
The Grindelwald reveal is incredibly obvious.
The movie tries to treat it like some huge mystery…
…but I figured it out almost immediately.
Some supporting characters don’t receive a huge amount of development.
And while Johnny Depp’s design isn’t terrible…
It always felt like they were trying a little too hard to make another iconic Voldemort-style villain.
Final Thoughts 💭
I still really enjoy Fantastic Beasts.
Honestly…
It’s my favorite movie in the Fantastic Beasts trilogy by a mile.
It’s funny.
It’s heartfelt.
The creatures are memorable.
Jacob is fantastic.
Newt is a refreshing protagonist.
And the movie tells a complete story that didn’t need four more installments.
Had Warner Bros. simply marketed this as a standalone Wizarding World adventure…
I honestly think people would remember it even more fondly.
Instead, it’s forever attached to sequels that, in my opinion, never came close to recapturing what made this first movie work.
Sometimes less really is more.
Rating ⭐
9.5 / 10
⚠️ Spoiler Warning ⚠️
Everything below this point contains full spoilers for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016).
Spoilers 🩸
The suitcase mix-up between Newt and Jacob accidentally releases several magical creatures throughout New York, forcing the group to track them down before the wizarding world is exposed.
Meanwhile, Credence’s abusive upbringing causes him to develop an Obscurus after suppressing his magic for years. Graves secretly manipulates him, believing Credence can lead him to this powerful force, never realizing Credence himself is the Obscurus.
After Credence loses control, MACUSA attacks him, seemingly killing him.
Graves then drops his disguise and declares that wizards should stop hiding from humanity.
Newt and Tina stop him, revealing that Percival Graves was actually Grindelwald in disguise all along.
While I don’t think the reveal is particularly shocking, it does set up the future conflict.
The ending is bittersweet.
Jacob’s memories are erased to protect the wizarding world, and Newt returns home believing he’ll never see his friend again.
But Queenie quietly visits Jacob’s bakery, and although his memories are supposedly gone, you can tell something deep inside him still remembers her.
It’s a genuinely sweet ending.
And honestly…
It would’ve been the perfect place to leave this story.
