Day of the 11 year anniversary of the fourth Harry Potter movie, Goblet of Fire, Potterheads flood the movie theaters, once again, around the United States. The day has come. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, introducing a new group of wizards and no-majs alike, was released November 18, 2016 not in hopes of reviving the wizarding world (because let’s be honest, it never died), but to give the seekers and chasers of the franchise more to digest.

Bringing to life the well-known Hogwarts textbook, Newt Scamander (Oscar-winning Eddie Redmayne) goes to America on a muggle boat (automatically revealing his Hufflepuffness) with a case full of magical creatures. Within the first five minutes, you are introduced to the no-maj (muggle for those British wizards out there) Jacob Kawolski (Dan Fogler) and Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston), an ex-American Auror. A could be antagonist is also introduced at the same moment as the three protagonists.  Later, Queenie Goldstein (singer-songwriter Fine Frenzy) is brought up as the quirky, fun-loving but peculiar character every amazing plot is bound to have. By the first 30 minutes, you know every character by name and about half the creatures. Half way through you think you know the plot, but just you wait. There is more than one villain in this story and wreaking havoc upon 1920s New York City. For those who know of the past Harry Potter movies, you may have an idea. At the end, tears will be shed and gasps will be gasped as you yearn for more of JK Rowling’s wizarding world.

Rowling was able to create a world inside a world with Newt’s suitcase. This is a world not even known to the wizard community, let alone the reality outside the book pages and movie screen. Only a bizarre, but brilliant imagination could create such a diverse set of creatures that ultimately help Newt when he is in need. Also, never have we had a non-magical main character other than the Dursley’s. Along with the law that there will be no marriages between wizards and no-majs, having a main character like Jacob opens even more doors to future predictions of character development (hint hint). Rowling once again casts you under a love spell with the new creatures. The Niffler, who gave the audience a heart-warming laugh, and the Thunderbird, Frank AKA Newt’s excuse, give the perfect combination of happiness and sorrow along with so many other creatures one cannot begin to name them all.

Although when one judges the film as a standalone movie, the reviews tend to be mostly negative. Those who don’t know any background from the Deathly Hallows would not understand the introductory plot of this first installment of five. Every scene HAD to debut a new creature as per the title suggests taking away from the real adventure of Newt Scamander. There seemed to be a confusion as to who was the main antagonist of the American wizarding world with the multiple plot twists and dark tone shifts the movie took. As for the film score, the composers could have brought back the old magic of music they had in the Harry Potter films. Other than Hedwig’s Theme at the very beginning, the only sounds appeared to be the crumbling of buildings that happened every other scene (definitely not complaining about the special effects).

**SPOILER ZONE**ONLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THE MOVIE**

On a more positive note, let’s talk about the revival of past characters from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. First off, Fantastic Beasts should be called “Harry Potter and the Prequel No One Knew They Needed.” Everyone has wanted a Marauders movie ever since Sirius Black and Remus Lupin were brought into the world in Prisoner of Azkaban, but that idea has been well over thought throughout the years. Voldemort was highly influenced by Grindelwald’s mission of the Deathly Hallows and “the greater good” of the wizarding world. By making a series strictly about Gellert Grindelwald with a Hufflepuff as the protagonist, the world of Harry Potter has been opened up to new theories (some of which are about Albus Dumbledore) and an expanded horizon of possibilities.

Another thing, how did Newt know to reveal Percival Graves’s real identity? Dumbledore favored him… he was in New York to bring Frank back… come one now. We all know what was really going on. I wouldn’t worry too much on Ezra Miller never coming back as Credence though. If you don’t know why then go watch the movie again and pay close attention to those specific scenes.