Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald

I wrote two years ago that the first Fantastic Beasts would come to be admired at the summation of the franchise for having the confidence to kickstart this spin off with a slow, auspicious beginning. Whilst those comments are true in light of its sequel; Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald, it’s unfortunately for the wrong reasons with the first looking like a heavy hitting thrill ride in comparison to the treacle that is this second. It’s insufferably slow, the mind boggles that they signed on to a five film franchise when there’s barely enough content so far to justify one film. I’m all for a gentle introduction, the more exposition the better in the most part (Deathly Hallows Part 1 being a most premium example) but looking at your watch during a post-two hour blockbuster, set in the Wizarding world no less, is unforgivable. We don’t even see the so called 'crimes' of its title; we rejoin Newt Scamander (with Eddie Redmayne really growing into the role) on the search for the first film’s MacGuffin Credence on behalf of Dumbledore (more on him shortly) with Grindelwald giving chase in the opposite corner. His faux-Nazi rhetoric of segregation and the ‘Wizarding race above all others’ feels like it wants to be a political statement but lacks depth. We know he and Dumbledore have a blood pact (there’s clearly more to this as well but frustratingly we’re left in the dark as to the true nature of their relationship when this would have been a great opportunity to break transgressions) which is why our Albus can’t get more involved in the wider plot. Perhaps this was a ploy to test audiences with Jude Law’s controversial younger portrayal but there’s really no need; he’s fantastic in the role and easily the best thing here, channeling his charm and wisdom to do the character justice. It’s a shame he’s not featured more. There’s plenty of fan bait ranging wildly from the good (Dumbledore as aforementioned, the Mirror of Erised and a spine-tingling Hedwig’s Theme and Hogwarts exterior shot combo) to the downright unnecessary and ridiculous (a character mentioned but not seen in Potter who serves no purpose here other than to ruin the otherwise excellent CGI and a final twist which will make you want to throw popcorn at the screen due to its baffling logic and randomness.) It’s plenty gorgeous, long standing Director David Yates knows the franchise inside out and his colours and shot choice are excellent as it has been throughout his tenure, but the lack of plot progression and feeling of treading water just won’t go away. Whilst I’m grateful for the harks back to Potter-lore they feel loaded rather than seamless and sometimes hinder the new characters (the excellent Jacob is underused here.) Most gallingly though, it’s the lack of plot logic which drags the film down. Despite Rowling’s blessing (and writing credit) it plays with internal logic and canon to make fans scratch their heads. There’s still potential in this franchise but Crimes... is a colossal disappointment. 2 stars **