I liked it (Detailed Review)

Rating: 8/10 (1 March 2017)

When I heard of the announcement of FBAWTFT movie, I was extremely excited and overwhelmed, because I really miss Harry Potter and like any dedicated potterhead I have a continuous thirst and craving for the wizarding world. However, my expectations for the movie have dropped to rock bottom after reading The Cursed Child. I was afraid and worried that the movie might actually ruin my favorite series of all-time.
And since it's an original screenplay, I can say that it's a quite frightening experience when you go to watch a movie that is based on your favorite book/film series while being completely clueless about the plot and the characters.
Yesterday, I finally got the chance to watch it, and I got very emotional from the very first second when the Hedwig's theme started playing. And after watching the movie, I'm glad to announce that my worries were put to rest. I might be biased but I liked it, despite its many flaws. It gave me a nice feeling and made me recall beautiful memories. It was funny, entertaining, visually and aurally stunning and I enjoyed every Harry Potter reference. I think Harry potter is still way better, but this one is good too. It's kind of like a grown up version of Harry Potter for us the grown up potterheads.
(Spoilers ahead, don't read if you haven't watched the movie)
The movie has two major story-lines, Newt Scamander and his beasts and the second story-line was about the weird events in New York and the 'Obscurus'. I was intrigued by the latter very much. It made me think for a while and wonder if Ariana Dumbledore is an Obscurus too. I hear there was a deleted scene about Credence survival. Please make him survive, I liked this kid a lot. I don't think we knew everything about him. They didn't tell us about his parents or how did Mary Lou find him and why does she hate his mother so much. I want more of him.
Colin Farrell did a great job as Graves, I think he stole the show. I really wish if they would keep him as Grindelwald instead of Depp. I liked him more. And BTW, what did Grindelwald mean when he looked at Newt and said "Will we die, Just a little?" Was that an implication that they both were seeking the deathly hallows? I hope so. I'm madly interested in Grindelwald and I only hope that Johnny Depp will do justice to his character.
Eddie Redmayne was good as Newt. I think he acted the awkwardness and shyness of Newt well. But his character was one-dimensional with no development. I really wished that they let us know more about his past Instead of some of the heavily CGI creatures' unnecessary scenes. Harry Potter had better CGI-ed creatures without claiming to have fantastic beasts in its title. And that Leda Lestrange mention! Is she related to Bellatrix? And what did she do to Newt? The movie brought up a lot of questions that hopefully we will get answers of in the upcoming movies.
The main characters were okay. Not bad and not good either. I think the flat characters is one of its biggest flaws, unlike Harry Potter complex great characters. The No-Mag was funny and he asked the right questions to enlighten the confused muggle viewers. The sisters are fun. I dislike Queenie a bit because of her brutal joke about Hogwarts.
And I really liked Rowling's political statement on suppression and fear of other and her criticism of the segregation and racism between muggles and wizards (expressed from both sides) in the American magical society.
I'll have to warn you that the movie gets cheesy and predictable at some points, but overall it was entertaining. You won't regret it, especially if you're a potterhead.
The movie is like an appetizer and it lays a foundation for the upcoming 4-movies. Hopefully they will be better. I still have faith in Rowling's imagination and I really can't wait for them. Especially after the hint from Rowling that the famous Dumbledore and Grindelwald duel might be on the final film. And I hope that some of the old characters will get back. I'd love to see a young Snape, Lily, Siruis or Lupin.