Review: The Surprising Idea Behind ‘Fantastic Beasts’

Bago Games FLICKR | Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is the main character in the latest film of the “Harry Potter” universe, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.’

This review contains major spoilers for “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

In the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling, there is a whole host of magical surprises. “Fantastic Beasts” marks Rowling’s first attempt at screenwriting and it was a smashing success.

Rotten Tomatoes, a website dedicated to film and television reviews, gave “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” a review of 73 percent, which is considered to be “certified fresh” by the website. In other words, the critics give their thumbs up.

What “Fantastic Beasts” signifies to fans of “Harry Potter” is a return to the world they had to say goodbye to five years ago. The wizarding world is a drug to many.  It gives a brief escape from reality, but most importantly it speaks to our humanity.

What some people may not realize was Rowling also released the screenplay of her film. It contains every word said, every action taken, even the motion of the camera. In short, it’s the movie in the form of the written word, and it offers a chance for “Potterheads” to relive the magic once more.

When one reads the screenplay, like this writer did, a particular theme can be delineated from “Fantastic Beasts.” While the screenplay and the film are visually different, they do not stray in terms of this theme. J.K. Rowling is a master of the written word, and she certainly excels in storytelling.

In “Fantastic Beasts,” a compelling narrative about acceptance takes center stage. The setting is 1926, New York, and wizarding society is riddled with prejudice and fear with the most cardinal law being that any witch or wizard is forbidden from having contact with a “No-Maj,” a non-magical person.

Newt Scamander, the main protagonist and a Hogwarts alumnus, comments how the law seems particularly “backwards.”

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the film involves the character Credence. Credence, along with the rest of his family, belongs to the organization known as the “Second Salemers” who actively seek to expose witches as a malignant force in New York society. Unbeknownst to his family, Credence is a wizard. Due to this unique conflict of interest, Credence develops an “obscurus.”

An “obscurus” is a dark magical force that grows inside a child when he or she tries to suppress their magic. This force ultimately kills the child, and leaves a trail of death and destruction in its wake. At the end of the film, Credence erupts with this dark magic effectively pulverizing a large portion of New York. He is however stopped by the MACUSA (the Magical Congress of the United States of America) and is killed.

What should be known about this tragedy is it wasn’t Credence’s fault. He didn’t want to kill. He was just scared and afraid.

Grindelwald, the main antagonist of the film, tries to manipulate Credence and use him as a weapon. It is because of this manipulation that Credence lashes out. What the audience should take from the screenplay and the film is the importance of acceptance.

If Credence had been in a better situation with a family that accepted his magic as a part of who he is, he wouldn’t have had to die. He could have lived and quite possibly others wouldn’t have died as well. It is because of hatred and fear being capitalized by individuals like Grindelwald that things fall apart.

It is possible Rowling wanted to parallel her story with that of our world’s. It is possible she wanted to show that the world could be a better place if we accepted everyone despite their differences. This isn’t a novel idea, but it was one that should be talked about.

The screenplay for “Fantastic Beasts” can be bought at most major retailers for those who would want to both relive the magic and hear Rowling’s lesson first hand.

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