It certainly lives up to Potter

Rating: 7/10 (20 November 2016)

Well, I had not that much of expectations for "Fantastic Beasts" upon viewing. I like the Harry Potter franchise (my favourite is The Prisoner of Azkaban) but I can't consider myself a big fan. I regard the Potter films as quite good features on their own merit. With that said, I was pleasantly entertained with "Beasts". I don't if it was the quirky acting (specially from Redmayne, Waterson and Sudol) or the astounding VFX work, but I can assure you this one is worth your money.
Plot-wise it is fairly linear and simple. It surely gains from J.K.Rowling involvement. My only issue is with one of the two major twists you will find here. The Credence one, I dunno if it happened to everybody but I kinda saw it coming - there was so much focus on is little sister that I became kinda sick of it, and was like, oh stop it already, it isn't her. The Graves one I can't say it caught me by surprise, cause I was finding some of his actions quite strange and abnormal. All and all, its a good plot that still gives some throwbacks to the Potter franchise - Dumbledore and Leta Lestrange being the most blunt and direct.
Directorial-wise its not that impressive. The way David Yates drives "Beasts" is quite normal and risk-free. He simply follows the formula.
During its 2h13min runtime there is always lots of exposition - who is this? what is that? how does it work - but it never feels saturated or boring. The characters are quite likable and the dynamic established between them is as unique as only Rowling could write it.
Do yourself a favour and go enjoy yourself with this one.