Fans of creature design, 1920s aesthetics, and bittersweet endings. Worst For: Anyone hoping for a lighthearted Pokémon chase or a simple Hogwarts reunion.
In the end, Fantastic Beasts 1 is like Newt himself: awkward, kind, deeply wounded, and far more interesting than it first appears. It just couldn’t carry the weight of an entire cinematic universe on its suitcase straps. Featured image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures / 2016 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Things go wrong when Newt accidentally swaps suitcases with Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a kind-hearted No-Maj (American for Muggle) cannery worker who dreams of opening a bakery. Jacob inadvertently releases several creatures into Manhattan. Fans of creature design, 1920s aesthetics, and bittersweet
★★★½ (3.5/5)