Great family adventure

Rating: 10/10 (27 November 2016)

A great family adventure film with lots of spectacle, humour, excitement and even a bit of romance.
From the hugely imaginative mind of Jo Rowling comes a new franchise set in 1920s New York. 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' is easily her best story since, 'Goblet of Fire,' - Harry Potter book four. I do wonder how good the Potter books five to seven could have been if she'd had more time. Not having publishers and producers constantly nagging at her about deadlines has set the author's mind free. This movie is fantastic.
For those who know nothing about the "Potter" universe it is a world in which people who can perform magic exist in parallel with those who cannot. The magically gifted community cast spells with wands and brew potions in cauldrons but otherwise go through life as most normal people do. They go to school, get jobs, have families, retire and die. They keep themselves secret from the normal world though governments have departments and agencies that use them. And, for the purposes of this film especially; magical creatures like dragons and griffins are real. Critically you don't need to know anything about the Potter story to enjoy the movie.
There were two things I don't like about this movie and neither spoiled it. The first is the intro. Multiple newspaper articles drifting and revolving across the screen for a few seconds each is far too busy. If the audience is expected to pick out any details from the writings then the highlights needed to be narrated. But after that it's all good.
The movie rolls onto the screen like an eager peacock. The plot gambles along well enough with interesting characters, some fun and thrills. Then, just when it's got you enthralled it opens its tail feathers to the real spectacle. Great.
The other thing I didn't like was near the end of the movie when a protagonist is revealed and most especially: who the actor is that will play him. I sighed; slightly bored to see that face again and thought to myself, 'Nah, can't see it,' but we'll give him a chance.