“Newt, you never met a monster you couldn’t love.” ~Leta Lestrange
Directed by: David Yates
Written by: J.K. Rowling
Cast: Johnny Depp, Eddie Redmayne, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterson, Zoe Kravitz
The second after this film ended I wanted to see it again. Just like with The Empire Strikes Back
There is a lot going on in The Crimes of Grindelwald, but each character is connected by their pursuit of Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller). Miller is pretty much my least favorite young actor, and his inclusion as “The Flash” in the DC Universe movies is why I am apathetic to them, at best. But as Credence, he earns my sympathy as he pursues his past to learn who he really is. This becomes the central theme of the entire film, and Grindelwald uses this to exploit Credence and bring him to the darkness.
Johnny Depp commands respect as Grindelwald, a sinister mastermind who prefers to sway people rather than slay them. Each word uttered is calculated, trance-like, and develops a macabre melody as he seduces his prey. And not everyone has the willpower to resist.
Meanwhile, Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Redmayne) is a reclusive animal lover who is content as a care taker to some . . . fantastic beasts. He doesn’t want to confront the truth that is coming in the form of Grindelwald and his twisted followers. Their ranks are expanding, and the Ministry of Magic is desperate to put an end to his evil machinations, his designs on a world where muggles are subservient to pure-blooded wizards.
The film reunites Scamander with his old Non-Maj [muggle] friend, Jacob Kowalski (Fogler) who is somehow still with Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol), despite the forbidden nature of their relationship. See, the Wizarding World of 1927 isn’t too keen on letting wizards and muggles get together. This conflict of the heart puts Queenie in danger, as she must choose between obedience or love. If you know anything about Queenie, you know how strongly she will fight for Jacob.
And it seems Scamander is torn between two women himself, maybe three if you see the way his assistant Bunty (Victoria Yeates) looks at him. Newt’s brother, Theseus (Callum Turner) is engaged to Leta Lestrange (Kravitz) who also seems to hold an odd flame for Newt from back when they were just students at Hogwarts. Newt is also still very much interested in Queenie’s sister, Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson). Tina is an Auror (a kind of wizard cop), as is Theseus, and Newt wants no part of that life. He’s just a simple kind of man.
Newt is initially approached by Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to track down Credence in Paris and help in the fight against Grindelwald. He’s like, uhm, no thanks, I don’t do sides. But, when he learns Tina is in Paris, Newt miraculously changes his mind. Ah, the foolish men who pursue women at their own peril, what wonderful buffoons we are. Still, it reminds us that even the most feeble man can be brave when he’s in love. That’s what draws me to Newt, he isn’t recklessly brave, he is just very determined and when he makes up his mind about something, he does it. It’s what makes him so great with killer beasts. He still needs work with the ladies.
Speaking of beasts, you will get your fill in The Crimes of Grindelwald. They are indeed fantastic. My favorite creature is this giant Chinese dragon called the Zouwu. This thing was all parts awesome, with a feline nature and colorful sparks shooting out from its lion’s mane wherever it went, it was hard not to appreciate the effects work put into the design. And cat lovers will get a kick out of how Newt handles it.
But, don’t get too excited cat lovers, there’s an allusion to certain Siamese Cats called matagot, which are both beautiful and kind of terrifying. I am predicting you will see these glowing, blue-eyed monsters adorning everyone’s front porch come Halloween. I know we will be getting some!
Everything culminates in Paris, as Tina makes contact with Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam) who reveals the horrific nature of the Lestrange family and how it all ties into Credence’s background. With everything revolving around Credence, it’s easy to miss one incredibly tragic character that Potter fans will immediately recognize (well, maybe not immediately) a Maledictus named Nagini (Claudia Kim) who helps Credence throughout the film.
For those not in the know, according to J.K. Rowling, “A Maledictus is someone who carries a blood curse that, over time, turns them into a beast. They can’t stop it, they can’t turn back. They will lose themselves…they will become the beast with everything that implies.” So Nagini will become a monster. Probably my only gripe with this film is how little we learn about her, but there will be three other films that hopefully shed some light on her cursed past. (Pardon the snake pun – couldn’t resist).
There are other characters that pop up in the end that will be familiar to Potterheads. They join the battle against Grindelwald, but in the end, there is no grand conclusion to his story. Again, this was very much like The Empire Strikes Back – where things are now set in motion for a grand confrontation of good versus evil.
I really enjoy the Rowling mythology and all these characters. The best stories have the purest heroes and the most pernicious villains, and Grindelwald is an exceptionally effective monster. It is evident that he is an allusion to Hitler, more so even than Voldemort, because it was known that Hitler had this dark charisma that couldn’t be ignored.
What was very powerful to me was how Rowling flipped the script on us towards the end and seemingly used that Hitler comparison in reverse, as Grindelwald predicts a terrible war that the muggles will bring upon the Earth. And, what is very chilling to contemplate is that he is not lying. Would a world ruled by dark wizards be a better world than what humanity has wrought? It’s a horrifying question within the Wizarding World, and one that we will have to wait on an answer for until the next chapter.
