FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM (2016)

Summary:

In 1926, the eccentric British magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in New York City with a magically expanded briefcase full of dangerous magical creatures, some of which inadvertently escape. This coincides with a period of heightened tension between the magical community and the No-Maj (American term for Muggles) world, fueled by the extremist anti-witchcraft group known as the New Salem Philanthropic Society. Newt's arrival and the subsequent chaos put him at odds with the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA), the governing body of American wizards, who enforce strict secrecy laws.

Newt, aided by an ambitious former MACUSA auror named Tina Goldstein, her Legilimens sister Queenie, and a No-Maj baker named Jacob Kowalski, embarks on a mission to recapture his creatures. As they navigate the clandestine magical world of New York, they uncover a far more sinister threat: an Obscurus, a dark parasitic magical force unleashed by a repressed young wizard. The investigation leads them into a confrontation with the powerful MACUSA Director of Magical Security, Percival Graves, whose true intentions and identity prove to be a grave danger to both the magical and No-Maj worlds.

Keywords: Fantastic Beasts, 2016, Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, J.K. Rowling, Fantasy, Adventure.

Plot:

The year is 1926. Newt Scamander, a shy, eccentric British wizard and magizoologist, disembarks from a ship in New York City. He carries a battered brown leather briefcase that, unknown to any but himself, contains a vast, magically expanded habitat for numerous magical creatures he has rescued and studied. His visit to America is brief, intended only to release a Thunderbird named Frank back to its natural habitat in Arizona. However, while observing a meeting of the New Salem Philanthropic Society, an anti-witchcraft group led by the fanatical Mary Lou Barebone, a mischievous Niffler escapes from his briefcase, leading Newt on a chaotic chase through a bank. During the pursuit, he accidentally swaps briefcases with Jacob Kowalski, a cheerful No-Maj (American term for Muggle) factory worker and aspiring baker who has just been denied a loan to open his own business. Jacob's briefcase contains his baking samples, while Newt's holds his magical menagerie.

The confusion attracts the attention of Tina Goldstein, a disgraced former Auror for the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA). Tina, hoping to regain her position, arrests Newt for possessing unregistered magical creatures and for violating the International Statute of Secrecy. She takes him to MACUSA headquarters, a grand Art Deco building concealed within the Woolworth Building. However, MACUSA Director of Magical Security Percival Graves dismisses Tina and Newt, believing the Niffler incident to be trivial. Undeterred, Tina takes Newt and the now-awakened Jacob (who has accidentally opened Newt's briefcase, releasing several creatures and exposing him to magic) to her apartment, which she shares with her Legilimens sister, Queenie Goldstein. Queenie, a beautiful and free-spirited witch, instantly forms an attraction to Jacob, who is fascinated and bewildered by the magical world.

While Newt, Tina, Queenie, and Jacob attempt to recapture the escaped creatures (including a mischievous Bowtruckle named Pickett, a thieving Niffler, and a rampaging Erumpent), a much darker force is at play in New York. A mysterious, destructive entity, later identified as an Obscurus, begins to wreak havoc across the city, causing widespread damage and fear among both No-Maj and magical communities. The MACUSA leadership, particularly President Seraphina Picquery, believes the Obscurus is being controlled by the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, who is currently terrorizing Europe. They fear that the Obscurus's destruction will expose the magical world to the No-Majs, leading to a catastrophic war.

Newt and his companions manage to recapture most of the creatures, but their efforts lead them back to MACUSA. There, Newt is accused of being responsible for the Obscurus attacks and is sentenced to death, along with Tina, for breaking the Statute of Secrecy and endangering the magical world. Jacob is also sentenced, as No-Majs who witness magic are typically Obliviated (have their memories erased). However, Queenie uses her Legilimency to read Graves's mind, discovering he intends to take Newt's briefcase. She then helps Newt and Tina escape their execution, with Jacob in tow. They retrieve the briefcase and, with the help of a Goblin informant named Gnarlack, discover that one of Newt's creatures, a Demiguise, has witnessed the true location of the Obscurus.

The Obscurus is revealed to be connected to Credence Barebone, the deeply troubled and abused adopted son of Mary Lou Barebone, the leader of the Second Salemers. Graves, who has been secretly manipulating Credence, promising to free him from his adoptive mother and teach him magic, is revealed to be seeking the Obscurus. He believes it is a powerful weapon that can be used to expose and control the No-Maj world. Graves is initially disappointed when Credence, whom he thought was a Squib, doesn't immediately manifest the Obscurus. However, after Mary Lou attempts to whip Credence and he inadvertently kills her and her daughter Chastity, the Obscurus fully manifests from within him, revealing that Credence himself is an Obscurial – a young wizard who has suppressed his magical abilities to the point where they fester into a destructive dark parasitic force.

The Obscurus, now fully unleashed and out of control, rampages through New York City, causing immense destruction and threatening to expose the magical community. MACUSA Aurors, led by President Picquery, attempt to contain it, but their spells prove ineffective against its raw power. Newt, Tina, Queenie, and Jacob confront Credence in a subway tunnel. Newt tries to calm Credence, recognizing the boy's pain and the tragic nature of his condition. Graves arrives, attempting to coerce Credence into joining him and using his power. He reveals his true intentions to overthrow the Statute of Secrecy and wage war on the No-Majs, accusing MACUSA of living in fear.

As Credence's Obscurus continues its destructive path, MACUSA Aurors intervene. Despite Newt's desperate pleas to save Credence, believing he can still be helped, the Aurors unleash powerful spells that seemingly obliterate the Obscurus and Credence, reducing him to wisps of black smoke. Graves, enraged by Credence's apparent death, engages in a fierce duel with Newt. The duel is intense, showcasing Graves's formidable magical prowess. Ultimately, Newt and Tina manage to subdue Graves, and Newt uses a Revelio charm to expose his true identity: he is Gellert Grindelwald, the infamous dark wizard who had been terrorizing Europe, having disguised himself as Graves to infiltrate MACUSA and locate the Obscurus.

With Grindelwald apprehended, MACUSA faces the challenge of repairing the extensive damage and, more importantly, erasing the memories of millions of No-Majs who witnessed the magical chaos. Newt devises a brilliant solution: he releases Frank, the Thunderbird, into the sky. Frank then disperses a magical rainstorm over the city, carrying a powerful Obliviate potion mixed with Newt's Swooping Evil venom. This rain erases the memories of all No-Majs who come into contact with it, effectively restoring the Statute of Secrecy. Jacob, despite his heartfelt protests, also has his memories wiped, losing all recollection of the magical world and his new friends. Before Jacob is Obliviated, Queenie gives him a goodbye kiss, and Newt subtly leaves him a silver Occamy egg as a parting gift.

In the aftermath, Tina is reinstated as an Auror, and Newt prepares to return to England, promising to deliver a copy of his book, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," to Tina. Back in the No-Maj world, Jacob, unknowingly inspired by the Occamy egg's silver shell and his subconscious memories of Queenie's baking, secures a loan and successfully opens his own bakery, producing pastries that uncannily resemble Newt's magical creatures. Queenie visits Jacob's bakery, smiling as he offers her a pastry, hinting that perhaps some memories, or at least feelings, can linger even after Obliviation.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander
• Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein
• Dan Fogler as Jacob Kowalski
• Alison Sudol as Queenie Goldstein
• Colin Farrell as Percival Graves
• Ezra Miller as Credence Barebone
• Samantha Morton as Mary Lou Barebone
• Jon Voight as Henry Shaw Sr.
• Carmen Ejogo as Seraphina Picquery
• Johnny Depp as Gellert Grindelwald

Crew:

• Director: David Yates
• Screenwriter: J.K. Rowling
• Producers: David Heyman, J.K. Rowling, Steve Kloves, Lionel Wigram
• Music by: James Newton Howard
• Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot
• Editor: Mark Day

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: November 18, 2016
• Language: English
• Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
• Running Time: 132 minutes
• Accolades: Academy Award for Best Costume Design