I'm still not really sure why the Fantastic Beasts series exists, besides serving as an excuse for J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. to continue the Harry Potter franchise and print more money. I was massively disappointed by 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a thoroughly messy spin-off/prequel that struggled to find tonal consistency while also lacking the emotional weight of the Potter saga. I had built up so much goodwill for the Harry Potter universe that I remember going along for the ride to a certain extent, but the sheer tedium of Fantastic Beasts eventually wore me down. The film essentially exists as a bunch of introductions and little teasers, warning us of potentially major things that will happen in future movies. It was clear from the get-go that director David Yates and Rowling wanted to turn this into a new franchise, and there was always something a bit cynical about that idea. And yet, since the film was generally well-received and somehow made a whopping $814 million worldwide, here we are two years later, preparing for the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. Watch the first trailer below:
It should be illegal to use that classic Harry Potter theme song in the marketing for this movie. I know, I know, this is a part of the franchise, but it's just way too effective. I remember almost crying when I saw the trailer for the original Fantastic Beasts- and that was just from the music! Basically, my point is that the marketing people at Warner Bros. know how to use the nostalgia for this franchise, a series of books and movies that affected a generation in more ways than we'll ever know. But they're skating on thin ice with the Fantastic Beasts movies, and this is the make-or-break installment. If The Crimes of Grindelwald can't spark any interest in this set of stories, then I think it's time to give up on the whole endeavor. Of course, it'll still make a bunch of money and Yates and Rowling will get to complete their five-movie arc. But to put it simply, these movies will no longer feel special if this one is another messy, dull blockbuster.
There's simultaneously a lot to like in this trailer and a lot to be skeptical about. Jude Law looks terrific as a younger version of Dumbledore, but then again, we always knew that he would be great. I love that we're returning to Hogwarts in this installment, and I'm equally pleased that Dan Fogler's Jacob Kowalski is back for another adventure. At the same time, I find it hilarious that they're basically hiding Johnny Depp's Grindelwald in this trailer, as Rowling recently had to go to war with her fanbase over the controversial actor's casting in the film. He's the titular character, and you can't hide him forever. I'm also just not feeling like there's anything new on display here- The Crimes of Grindelwald looks like more of the same from a series that has been dominated by one directorial voice for over a decade.
We'll see how it all pans out, but this time around, I'm going to maintain a certain level of skepticism until the bitter end.
The Crimes of Grindelwald arrives on November 16, 2018.
Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
It should be illegal to use that classic Harry Potter theme song in the marketing for this movie. I know, I know, this is a part of the franchise, but it's just way too effective. I remember almost crying when I saw the trailer for the original Fantastic Beasts- and that was just from the music! Basically, my point is that the marketing people at Warner Bros. know how to use the nostalgia for this franchise, a series of books and movies that affected a generation in more ways than we'll ever know. But they're skating on thin ice with the Fantastic Beasts movies, and this is the make-or-break installment. If The Crimes of Grindelwald can't spark any interest in this set of stories, then I think it's time to give up on the whole endeavor. Of course, it'll still make a bunch of money and Yates and Rowling will get to complete their five-movie arc. But to put it simply, these movies will no longer feel special if this one is another messy, dull blockbuster.
There's simultaneously a lot to like in this trailer and a lot to be skeptical about. Jude Law looks terrific as a younger version of Dumbledore, but then again, we always knew that he would be great. I love that we're returning to Hogwarts in this installment, and I'm equally pleased that Dan Fogler's Jacob Kowalski is back for another adventure. At the same time, I find it hilarious that they're basically hiding Johnny Depp's Grindelwald in this trailer, as Rowling recently had to go to war with her fanbase over the controversial actor's casting in the film. He's the titular character, and you can't hide him forever. I'm also just not feeling like there's anything new on display here- The Crimes of Grindelwald looks like more of the same from a series that has been dominated by one directorial voice for over a decade.
We'll see how it all pans out, but this time around, I'm going to maintain a certain level of skepticism until the bitter end.
The Crimes of Grindelwald arrives on November 16, 2018.
Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
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