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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I watched the movie like a month ago (?) and now also read the screenplay, so I'll just review them both as a whole.
When I watched the movie, I was fascinated by the graphics and all the beasts, the actors were great as well. I really love Eddie Redmayne as Newt. But I wasn't fully convinced by the story. Somehow nobody would feel the same way about it but I guess they just loved it because it was Harry Potter. I doubt the story would have been able to stand on its own. I should probably add that I'm very critical when it comes to films and dislike most of them. I didn't dislike this one but I just thought that it was flawed at some points. The Obscurus was way too powerfull, especially in the movie, from reading the screenplay alone, I wouldn't have had this feeling but on screen it all looked too extreme and too Hollywoodish. The fact that they seemed to not care that much about it at all and could repair all of it in a heartbeat wasn't really realistic or authentic. What also bothered me is that they apparently valued one kid's life more than those of countless Muggles in the city. I also really dislike Tina and do not ship her with Newt AT ALL. I can only hope that they'll never become a thing but I doubt it :-( I did love Jacob and Queenie though (as did everyone I talked with about this movie lol) and like I said, the beasts were stunning.
But I really liked the screenplay, most of the flaws that I saw in the movie, I didn't really realize there and it did make the movie a bit better for me. The descriptions were amazing and it was really like watching the movie (probably also because I had already seen it before).
When I watched the movie, I was fascinated by the graphics and all the beasts, the actors were great as well. I really love Eddie Redmayne as Newt. But I wasn't fully convinced by the story. Somehow nobody would feel the same way about it but I guess they just loved it because it was Harry Potter. I doubt the story would have been able to stand on its own. I should probably add that I'm very critical when it comes to films and dislike most of them. I didn't dislike this one but I just thought that it was flawed at some points. The Obscurus was way too powerfull, especially in the movie, from reading the screenplay alone, I wouldn't have had this feeling but on screen it all looked too extreme and too Hollywoodish. The fact that they seemed to not care that much about it at all and could repair all of it in a heartbeat wasn't really realistic or authentic. What also bothered me is that they apparently valued one kid's life more than those of countless Muggles in the city. I also really dislike Tina and do not ship her with Newt AT ALL. I can only hope that they'll never become a thing but I doubt it :-( I did love Jacob and Queenie though (as did everyone I talked with about this movie lol) and like I said, the beasts were stunning.
But I really liked the screenplay, most of the flaws that I saw in the movie, I didn't really realize there and it did make the movie a bit better for me. The descriptions were amazing and it was really like watching the movie (probably also because I had already seen it before).
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When the film of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was first announced, I was incredibly excited. I felt that making an original prequel set in the same world but at a different point in time with different characters was a very cool way to engage with the world of Harry Potter. Rowling has created a very rich world in her books, one that’s well worth revisiting.
Disclaimer: I’ve tried to keep this free of spoilers, but if you have yet to see the film or read the screenplay, read this at your own discretion. Some small spoilers might have slipped in by accident.
Before I get around to its contents, I want to say how beautiful this book looks. Of course, I love pretty covers and nice editions as much as the next person, but I especially like this one. The monotone colours, the beautiful font, the swirly patterns that include some of the fantastic beasts from the book…all of which give a 1920s feel as well. The prettiness doesn’t end with the cover, as the pages themselves also look wonderful. Scene dividers, pretty decorations at the page numbers…and occasionally you’ll find some illustrations of the various fantastic beasts present in the story. They’re not overly detailed, but they’re in the same style as the ones on the cover and they look lovely. Honestly, just the book’s aesthetics makes it worth to have it on your shelf.
Superficialities aside, let’s get to the plot. I had already seen the film before finally getting around to reading the screenplay, so this doesn’t bring anything new to the table. That should be obvious, because it’s a script, and it’s very loyal to the film (or would that be the other way around?). Still, it was fun to revisit the film this way and I’ve noticed some details I had initially missed while watching the film. Though the descriptions are nowhere as detailed as a novel would be, you still get a good sense of the scenery and the emotions the characters have throughout the story. Fantastic Beasts doesn’t take long to read through either; it took me two to three hours, though I’m a fairly fast reader.
The narrative itself is actually quite simple. Newt Scamander, an explorer and Magizoologist, arrives in New York City. However, his suitcase filled with magical creatures is displaced and he becomes involved in events that threaten to expose the American wizarding community to the No-Majs (Muggles). It was a joy to see (or read about) the magical creatures and the way magic is utilized in America and by Newt himself (especially his suitcase). Despite the narrative’s seeming simplicity, however, Rowling has also introduced some darker themes. Child abuse, the introduction of the Obscurus that was disturbing yet intriguing….all of this made Fantastic Beasts a bit more mature and compelling.
Newt is a very likable main character; socially awkward but lovable, and he goes to great lengths to keep the fantastic beasts he’s taking care of safe. There’s also Jacob, a No-Maj who becomes involved with the magical world — and his sense of wonder should be something relatable for every fan of the franchise. Finally there are the female characters: Tina and Queenie Goldstein. Queenie’s a treasure; though she initially seems ditzy, she’s an amazingly sweet and lovable character whose smarts and resourcefulness surprised me. I felt her sister Tina was a little bland unfortunately, but hopefully the future films (screenplays?) will flesh her out more. Seraphina seems very interesting as the president of the Magical Congress, but we have yet to see more of her. Percival Graves is also a very intriguing character, but saying more about him will result in spoilers. Finally, there is the tragic Credence Barebone, who needs a hug. Seriously.
If I had to give some points of critique, it would be that something more could have been done with Senator Shaw and his family. I felt they had a much bigger part to play than a mere plot device to make the wizarding community panic. I felt these characters could have caused to more tension, but ultimately they didn’t really deliver. The inclusion of more grey area in the characters also could have been interesting, but that might happen in the future films that include Grindelwald. Nonetheless, Fantastic Beasts certainly delivers on the magic that the original Harry Potter was known for. The film made for an enjoyable visit to a beloved world, and the screenplay is a wonderful way to revisit the film.
When the film of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was first announced, I was incredibly excited. I felt that making an original prequel set in the same world but at a different point in time with different characters was a very cool way to engage with the world of Harry Potter. Rowling has created a very rich world in her books, one that’s well worth revisiting.
Disclaimer: I’ve tried to keep this free of spoilers, but if you have yet to see the film or read the screenplay, read this at your own discretion. Some small spoilers might have slipped in by accident.
Before I get around to its contents, I want to say how beautiful this book looks. Of course, I love pretty covers and nice editions as much as the next person, but I especially like this one. The monotone colours, the beautiful font, the swirly patterns that include some of the fantastic beasts from the book…all of which give a 1920s feel as well. The prettiness doesn’t end with the cover, as the pages themselves also look wonderful. Scene dividers, pretty decorations at the page numbers…and occasionally you’ll find some illustrations of the various fantastic beasts present in the story. They’re not overly detailed, but they’re in the same style as the ones on the cover and they look lovely. Honestly, just the book’s aesthetics makes it worth to have it on your shelf.
Superficialities aside, let’s get to the plot. I had already seen the film before finally getting around to reading the screenplay, so this doesn’t bring anything new to the table. That should be obvious, because it’s a script, and it’s very loyal to the film (or would that be the other way around?). Still, it was fun to revisit the film this way and I’ve noticed some details I had initially missed while watching the film. Though the descriptions are nowhere as detailed as a novel would be, you still get a good sense of the scenery and the emotions the characters have throughout the story. Fantastic Beasts doesn’t take long to read through either; it took me two to three hours, though I’m a fairly fast reader.
The narrative itself is actually quite simple. Newt Scamander, an explorer and Magizoologist, arrives in New York City. However, his suitcase filled with magical creatures is displaced and he becomes involved in events that threaten to expose the American wizarding community to the No-Majs (Muggles). It was a joy to see (or read about) the magical creatures and the way magic is utilized in America and by Newt himself (especially his suitcase). Despite the narrative’s seeming simplicity, however, Rowling has also introduced some darker themes. Child abuse, the introduction of the Obscurus that was disturbing yet intriguing….all of this made Fantastic Beasts a bit more mature and compelling.
Newt is a very likable main character; socially awkward but lovable, and he goes to great lengths to keep the fantastic beasts he’s taking care of safe. There’s also Jacob, a No-Maj who becomes involved with the magical world — and his sense of wonder should be something relatable for every fan of the franchise. Finally there are the female characters: Tina and Queenie Goldstein. Queenie’s a treasure; though she initially seems ditzy, she’s an amazingly sweet and lovable character whose smarts and resourcefulness surprised me. I felt her sister Tina was a little bland unfortunately, but hopefully the future films (screenplays?) will flesh her out more. Seraphina seems very interesting as the president of the Magical Congress, but we have yet to see more of her. Percival Graves is also a very intriguing character, but saying more about him will result in spoilers. Finally, there is the tragic Credence Barebone, who needs a hug. Seriously.
If I had to give some points of critique, it would be that something more could have been done with Senator Shaw and his family. I felt they had a much bigger part to play than a mere plot device to make the wizarding community panic. I felt these characters could have caused to more tension, but ultimately they didn’t really deliver. The inclusion of more grey area in the characters also could have been interesting, but that might happen in the future films that include Grindelwald. Nonetheless, Fantastic Beasts certainly delivers on the magic that the original Harry Potter was known for. The film made for an enjoyable visit to a beloved world, and the screenplay is a wonderful way to revisit the film.
This book is exactly the movie and it's fantastic.
This is a very cool introduction to what I know is going to be an EPIC story. Loved going back to the Wizarding World with JK Rowling.
💛 Mi filosofía es que preocuparse es sufrir dos veces 💛
Disappointed that the screenplay has been edited to match exactly how the final cut of the film plays out. There are several deleted scenes that the filmmakers have told us about (and said would be on the DVD) that make no appearance here. Chief among these is a scene involving Jacob and his (ex)fiancé towards the beginning of the film. Every one of the "making of" books references this scene in which Mildred, Jacob's now ex-fiancé, dumps him after he fails to get a loan from the bank. This scene makes no appearance in the screenplay. The filmmakers have talked about this scene and said it'll be on the DVD.
One of the most fun parts of reading a screenplay for a finished film is being able to see the little bits that didn't make it into the final cut. This publication of the screenplay erases all those little scenes that we ALREADY KNOW ABOUT, thus robbing us of that joy.
As a screenplay itself, it's good. The movie was good. It's just disappointing that the screenplay was edited to perfectly match the final cut instead of preserving the deleted scenes that we know were in the original shooting script.
One of the most fun parts of reading a screenplay for a finished film is being able to see the little bits that didn't make it into the final cut. This publication of the screenplay erases all those little scenes that we ALREADY KNOW ABOUT, thus robbing us of that joy.
As a screenplay itself, it's good. The movie was good. It's just disappointing that the screenplay was edited to perfectly match the final cut instead of preserving the deleted scenes that we know were in the original shooting script.
I loved it! This is actually the first screenplay that I have read outside of a class. JK Rowling did a great job. While I do have some issues with the American wizarding world (mainly history and structure), the characters and story are great. Newt is the ultimate Hufflepuff and his love for his creatures is just the best. Loved Jacob and Queenie's love story. I liked that Tina was the only one to truly care about and reach Credence. Of course, the Aurors and government officials get in the way of things. I had the Graves/Grindelwald reveal spoiled for me before reading the screenplay, but you could just tell from the set photos and trailers that "Graves" was up to no good. I liked how Modesty was a red herring for the Obscurial. Reading the screenplay makes me want to see the film even more!
adventurous
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5/5 Het was alsof ik de film nog eens zag, maar dan in boekvorm. Ik irriteerde mij geen enkel moment aan het screenplay, aangezien ik alles toch in mijn hoofd zag. Ik ship Tina/Newt en Queenie/Jacob echt ontzettend. Nu even hun shipnamen bedenken.