Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

This is the weakest installment in J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world franchise, thanks to confusing characters and a convoluted plot. In New York, circa 1927, shy, gentle Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), the eccentric magizoologist, is recruited when diabolical Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) escapes from captivity in America. Grindelwald is a fascistic shape-shifter who believes that only Pure-Bloods should have power, not Half-Bloods or Muggles. Although he has been forbidden to travel, Newt goes to London, where his ambitious brother Theseus (Callum Turner) is now engaged to Leta Lestrange (Zoë Kravitz), who was Newt’s crush when they were Hogwarts students. Theseus wants Newt to become an Auror (elite wizard catchers). “I don’t do sides,” Newt declares. But then he is implored by Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) to go to Paris to find mysteriously orphaned Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller), who is desperate to discover his lineage. Complicating matters further are Newt’s estranged Auror girlfriend Tina (Katherine Waterston), along with his amiable Muggle pal Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), who is (illegally) engaged to Tina’s sister, telepathic Queenie (Alison Sudol). Plus there’s circus performer Nagini (Claudia Kim), morphing into a gigantic snake; Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam), a French-African wizard who’s been tracking Credence for years; and alchemist Nicolas Flamel (Brontis Jodorowsky), who created the Sorcerer’s Stone. The concept comes from Rowling’s slim 2001 bestiary, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, with this being the second film in a projected series, both so far directed by David Yates. Unfortunately, screenwriter-turned-producer Steve Kloves, who simplified much of Rowling’s work, was not involved in the writing here; perhaps he could have made the jumbled storyline more coherent. Due to all things being popular in the Potterverse, this should be considered a strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the behind-the-scenes featurettes “Unlocking Scene Secrets” (49 min.) and “Wizards on Screen, Fans in Real Life” (20 min.), deleted scenes (15 min.), and the production segments “J.K. Rowling: A World Revealed” (11 min.) and “Distinctly Dumbledore” (10 min.). Exclusive to the Blu-ray are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a muddled sequel.] (S. Granger)