3/5 stars
Spoilers ahead.
Directed by David Yates, Secrets of Dumbledore is the latest instalment in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise. The third in the series, this film lacked plot and missed some opportunities for crucial character development.
At the heart of this franchise is still Newt Scamander’s (Eddie Redmayne) love for magical creatures and we are reminded of this from the start. From there, we dive into both the wizarding world and muggle world – both falling apart thanks to Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) and his followers.
The plot centres around Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) putting together a team to take down Grindelwald. At the end of the previous instalment, it was revealed that he could not do so himself due to a blood pact the two made when they were teens.
Some fans were sceptical about Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Grindelwald as previously Johnny Depp played the character. However, Depp was dropped from the franchise after the court battle between the actor and Amber Heard surrounding a series of abuse allegations. Although it was strange not seeing Depp as Grindelwald, Mikkelsen makes the character his own and is interesting to watch.
The team is made up of characters both old and new with Newt at the helm. The magical zoologist is joined by muggle friend Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), brother Theseus (Callum Turner), his assistant Bunty (Victoria Yeates), charms teacher Eulalie Hicks (Jessica Williams) and Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam). Of course, Newt also has help from his animal companions Pickett the Bowtruckle and Teddy the Niffler.
The team’s plan is to confuse the dark wizard as he is able to see their every move after gaining foresight at the start. A plan that could have been interesting, but ultimately leaves the audience feeling confused at times. At some points the film feels slow, with scenes not moving the plot forward, and at other points a magical battle erupts to show off stunning CGI, but it feels like a cover up for the lack of plot.
The CGI is what carries the film through the slower parts. Yates does an amazing job at showing audiences new ways that magic can be used such as in hand-to-hand combat. The final magical sequence between Dumbledore and Grindelwald is short but visually stunning.
There have been numerous controversies surrounding this third instalment with Ezra Miller (who uses they/them pronouns) notably absent from press tours in light of their recent arrest for harassment and disorderly conduct. Due to this, Warner Bros. is halting the production of all future projects involving the actor, including their DC film The Flash.
With two more films set to be released in the Fantastic Beasts franchise, it will be refreshing to see the next instalment with a clear plot that builds anticipation for the fifth. However, Secrets of Dumbledore left fans feeling underwhelmed with its anticlimactic ending compared to its predecessor Crimes of Grindelwald ending on an exciting cliff hanger which should have created a perfectly enticing plot.
Secrets of Dumbledore is available in cinemas up and down the country.
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