Fantastic, lives up to its name!

Rating: 9/10 (2 December 2016)

This is another movie I've been champing at the bit to see and have high expectations. So, let's just get something out of the way from the get. Although, this is another J.K. Rowling creation directed by David Yates, Beasts is NOT Harry Potter. It's the wizarding world created by Rowling, but events take place in 1926 America. New country, new characters, new stories. That being said
For me, the movie started a little slow, only because I've been all over Pottermore devouring all the new info/material Rowling has released (while avoiding the actual book) with the run up to the film. As such, I was just impatient to get to the meat of the story without preamble. Not that the preamble itself is nicely done and quite enjoyable as far as origin stories go. Being a period piece, the creators have gone all out with ornate set design, costuming, and props all which suck you into the story that unfolds and adds to the magic and wonder.
The cinematography, lighting, editing, musical score, and visual effects are first rate and serve to create a world that feels real enough to actually step into. No small feat given the use of CGI in today's film. In particular the world where Newt's fantastical beasts resides is absolutely stunning and deserving of its own movie. I could easily get loss in exploring every nook and cranny.
Eddie Redmayne, as Newt Scamander is a joy to watch. No surprise given his recent turns in movies from Les Miserables to The Danish Girl. Quite the chameleon actor. Redmayne uses everything at his disposal: body language, awkwardness, and mannerism to create a charming, interesting, and endearing three dimensional character. I can't wait to learn more about/see him in future franchise films.
Dan Fogler is pure gold as Jacob Kowalski. A "no-maj" in the wrong place at the wrong (or is it right time?) that finds magic is real and is taken for the ride of his life far beyond anything he can conjure in his imagination. Fogler is perfectly cast. Extremely likable, funny, open, and amazed at the magical world unfolding around him, makes for the ideal surrogate for the audience.
The story itself is deceptively straight forward on the surface (magical creatures get lose in New York and need to be captured before the non-wizarding world discovers magic is real), but like other/best epic films such as Harry Potter or Star Was is merely the seed for a more encompassing, far reaching, adult tale that will fire the imagination and entertain for years to come.
Wands at the ready and head to the theater. This one is a solid 9 and needs to be seen and enjoyed on the big screen.