Great start to an all-new series from the Harry Potter Universe

Rating: 9/10 (20 November 2016)

I went to see this film with ONE expectation: make me feel magical like HP films did. Bring the magic! Well, Fantastic Beasts delivered.
First of all, let me write down a few lines about Eddie Redmayne's performance and about his Newt Scamander. Eddie was just amazing. He nailed the character. His expression, non-verbal language and kindness bought me over almost instantly. He is shy, closed person who absolutely loves all sorts of fantastic animals and more importantly - understands them. It was a treat seeing him in every single frame he was in. Bravo!
Moving on to Colin Farrell, aka Percival Graves. The moment you first meet him you know this guy means business. He is focused and powerful. What I liked personally was that throughout the whole story you weren't really sure whether Graves is bad or sort of good... I find this morally gray personality compelling, especially in times where we live in Disney Star Wars and Disney Marvel, both featuring pretty damn bland protagonists and antagonists. Breath of fresh air indeed.
No-Maj was outright fun and interactions between Newt and him simply put a big ol smile on my face. That is the kind of humour I do like and enjoy. Great fun!
Now the picture itself. Look, it's nothing ground-breaking, even a little predictable at times, but it's the execution that plays the main role here. Special effects are sharp, clean and very subtle. Beasts are colorful, properly magical and perfectly voiced. You will get lost in Newt's zoo, never wanting to go back to real life. Every character has its logical place and pacing makes sense.
I have yet to create a final opinion about Johnny Depp being casted as Gellert Grindelwald, as I'm not fond of his acting skills. However, this did not hurt my overall rating of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Go see it in IMAX, you will get magically rewarded.