Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Exclusive Series Special) (HBO Max/Peacock)
- Matt Palmer
- Apr 19, 2022
- 2 min read
Initial release date: November 16, 2018
Studios: Warner Bros/ Heyday Films
Tagline: Who will change the future?
The fate of one will change the future of all
Plot: In an effort to thwart Grindelwald’s plans of raising pure-blood wizards to rule over all non-magical beings, Albus Dumbledore enlists his former student Newt Scamander, who agrees to help.
Cast
Eddie Redmayne - Newt Scamander
Johnny Depp - Grindelwald
Ezra Miller - Credence Barebone
Kevin Guthrie - Abernathy
Carmen Ejogo - Seraphina Picquery
Wolf Roth - Spielman
Zoe Kravitz - Leta Lestrange
Callum Turner - Thesus Scamander
Derek Riddell - Torquil Travers
Cornell John - Arnold Guzman
Jude Law - Albus Dumbledore
Dan Fogler - Jacob Kowalski
Alison Sudol - Queenie Goldstein
Katherine Waterston - Tina Goldstein
Claudia Kim - Nagini
Fiona Giascott - Minerva McGonagall
Writer: J.K. Rowling
Director: David Yates
Rated PG-13 for some sequences of fantasy action (134 minutes)
‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’ is the second entry of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’/Wizarding World franchise. Despite the 2018 sequel getting the most divisive/mixed reviews of the entire series (including Harry Potter), it’s actually better than the initial reviews were saying.
Just like the first prequel, this was the first time since I initially reviewed this for the Examiner that I have watched this. The visual effects in this movie are amazing and there are some moments that are very thrilling and action-packed.
And, even though ‘Crimes of Grindelwald’ can be an exciting watch, the plot can be a little all over the place and the movie does have a lot going on. There are some twists and turns in the movie that either work really well and a few that don’t.
‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ can be streamed on either HBO Max or Peacock.
And, catch my review of ‘Secrets of Dumbledore’ in the 4/27 edition of the Examiner and my website.
Here are a few interesting tidbits for ‘The Crimes of Grindelwald’:
Johnny Depp signed on without reading a script. He wanted to be a part of the series because he is a self-proclaimed massive fan of the series.
Newt Scamander carries a wand, practices magic and works for the Ministry of Magic, even though he was expelled from Hogwarts, which puzzled several fans online, especially since Hagrid wasn’t afforded those liberties. Rowling explained that the reason for this will be revealed throughout the series.
Hogwarts exteriors, like some interiors, were shot in the historic Lacock Abbey, dating back to 1229. This abbey, located in Wiltshire, England, had already been used for the same purpose for the first films of the ‘Harry Potter’ saga.
When Nicolas Flamel opens his locker, the Philosopher's Stone can be seen glowing inside.
The ‘Crimes of Grindelwald’ title was revealed on November 16, 2017, exactly one year before the film’s release.
The film grossed $159.6 million in the US and Canada, and $495.3 million in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $654.9 million, against a production budget of $200 million. It’s the lowest-grossing Wizarding World installment at the moment.
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