Proceed with caution, if you haven't watched the movie yet, don't waste time and just do what you have to do. Go give the movie a try first, and hopefully you'll find it worth the wait.
As for me...
First of all, woah!
Secondly, woah again.
I started fangirling, like really hard, once I stepped foot into Hogwarts again. [Yes, I know, it's all happening inside my head, but it's still real. Full stop.]
Like c'mon, Hedwig's theme gave me the chills, it just never fails to leave me awed, with a flood of the memories.
JK Rowling stood by her word, "Hogwarts will always be there to welcome us home."
Though I know it probably wouldn't have served the actual plot much, I wanted to see more of Hogwarts and/or the Fantastic Beasts to get myself overwhelmed with nostalgic feels.
I just loved the 'welcome back to the fandom' sensation, and the nerve-wrecking moments and possibly years of waiting for the next movie as soon as the one before came to an end.
Starting simple, the graphics were professional, making me really feel everything, and the tension arose with all the explosive enchantments and roaming creatures. Also, most if not all the actors are exceptionally talented and in-character.
Now, let's put this straight.
SPOILER ALERT!
READ ON, AT YOUR OWN RISK!
DON'T SAY, I DIDN'T WARN YOU!
So, you're still here, aren't you? Yes- fine, stay.
*Clears throat*
Just my take...
Jacob never fails to make me laugh or at least crack a smile, with all his subtle comments and talented performance, even if he doesn't talk at all, just his facial expression is enough.
But tonight, Jacob made me want to cry, again. He's so in love that he risks everything, he even leaves his heart to break... but when he's forced between what's right and what he wants (as to be with Queenie), what's right came first.
I have to admit that the sudden character shift in Queenie caught me by surprise, but then again, she had been so desperate to marry the one she loves (and he loves her just the same) and live in peace, away from all the political persecution. Good intentions, yes, but wrong choices.
But that only shows how persuasive and manipulative Grindelwald really is... maybe even way more than Voldemort himself.
You see, Grindelwald played it right. Especially during the grande meeting, he brainwashed his followers into believing that his path is the right one, for their own good, for the greater good.
However, ol' Voldy made it plain clear from the very beginning that he strived for immortality and personal power more than anything -even more than overthrowing the ministry, and all he desired was to get an end to the chosen one, because he was marked to destroy him. Anyway!
Talking about that, Grindelwald exploited on emotions and trust way better, something Voldemort doesn't even understand... I mean, look at Credence.
Tbh, I have a lot of pitiful sympathy saved for Credence. He just wanted to figure out his real origin and identity. It's so painful to live without a family, but what's more agonizing is to not have a name to carry on and forever cherish... not remembering their presence, not even knowing them, is beyond pain.
But Credence should have took Nagini's words at heart, before jumping to become a blind follower: "he (Grindy) only knows who you are born as, not who you really are." Or along those lines, hehe.
Grindelwald, being who he is, made great use of such vulnerable weakness. And Credence just got himself trapped in a game of pain, controlled by the hands of ol' Grindy, just like a puppet tool.
That's why I think the great plot twist revealed at the very end that dropped everyone's jaw to the ground... is nothing but a LIE, yes you heard/read that right, a mind-trick by the great manipulative Grindelwald, ta-da.
Besides, it's canonically impossible for Credence to turn out to be a Dumbledore, let alone Albus' long lost sibling. Check the timeline, it's easy. [Percival in Azkaban, Kendra dead, long before Credence was even thought of.] That makes Credence Albus' brother from different parents, which I have no idea how it could possibly work.
Why, a lie? Grindelwald wants Credence to be the one to destroy Albus Dumbledore. He thinks Credence can do so, given his magical abilities. he gave Credence a wand (thou I don't know what happened to the golden rule of "the wand chooses the wizard") and put him in the mindset of revenge-seeking.
Grindelwald has his hopes up high of making Credence at least a somehow close match of magical strength to Dumbledore.
Bear in mind, up till now, Grindelwald and Dumbledore literally CAN NOT fight each other, even if and no matter how much they may want to. It's the blood pact that must be destroyed first.
[Who knows, I may even write a fanfiction around this, before the next movie is released... but the main drawback is I can't go back to re-watch the movies, so I'll have to rely on my memory, eek.]
Speaking of Dumbledore, I couldn't be the only one who wanted more scenes, even just a bit more in-depth mentions of Ariana and/or Aberforth. Also, I was sitting on the edge of my seat for the awaited moment of having Dumbledore and Grindelwald meet in any way... but I got nothing of that, oh well, maybe next time.
Now, that reunity would be eventful and intense, I am sure, can't wait for it. Like siriusly, just get it done already!
I appreciate that I felt this middle-aged Albus is exactly how I imagined him to be. Truly, it was spot on...
a) his calm demaneour and smooth teaching strategy, though everyone should know that he taught Transfiguration, for Merlin's sake, not DADA. [and that Minnie wasn't even born back then, let alone teaching transfig, nah-ah I beg to differ. sorry, not the point here, but had to take this off my chest.]
b) the despair in his eyes, when asked to fight Gellert, he says "I can't..." and he truly means it. Let alone, the departing of ways with the ministry proves that history indeed repeats itself over time.
c) "Regret is my constant companion, don't let it be yours too." Albus, being the best in giving advice in polished words, offers a helping hand to Leta...
both Leta and Albus knew exactly what it felt like to lose a sibling [and no, I don't mean Credence for either of them] Being the one responsible for that loss, no doubt, tortured them endlessly.
Worth pointing out, Leta was only mentioned in the first movie as a taker not a giver, maybe because he was hurt that she chose his brother over him, I suppose. But now, I see more depth in her character than even Tina, the love interest herself.
Siriusly, I very much loved Leta Lestrange! She's probably the most multi-dimensional character in this movie, her backstory is portrayed with perfection. And I really sensed her flaws and inner tensions with every single detail, idk it spoke to me.
She made it plain clear to Newt, "you never met a monster you couldn't love."
Why do all the pained ones see themselves as monsters? [Rings a bell, Remus?]
Why do all the characters who felt remorse and deep love have to die? [Rings a bell, everyone?]
Why do those who came from a dark childhood/broken family have to sacrifice themselves? [Rings a bell, Sirius?]
Add more questions to the list, if you'd like.
No answer will satisfy me...
On a lighter note, it's time for the most Hufflepuffy case-holder of all. You're wrong if you thought I might have forgotten the one and only Newt Scamander, tut tut, but I kept the best for the last.
Now, what in the name of Merlin should I say, hmm? Awkward or not, Newt is an adorable smol bean. Everything he says and/or does is just precious in and of itself, alrighty, that's all.
Oh, and almost forgot, I really liked the inclusion of his brother into the storyline. At the very end, fighting hand-in-hand alongside each other, for apparently the first time in a while, made up for what broke between them.
The silent moment when Newt glanced at his brother after the protective spells forced the explosions down, understanding flashed between them, Thesaus mourning and Newt comforting.
I knew what will happen, I just knew it. And being me, I just blurted out "oh, aww, just hug already!" and it was a relief that they did, and my friends cheered me on, lol.
Newt reaching over to hug his brother, both clutching on to each other for dear life, was just... *content sigh*... more than what my heart could handle.
At first, it reminded me of Sirius and Regulus in a possible AU life where they could have been given a choice to sort out their very much intense differences, BUT tbh that seems far-fetched.
... The more relavant parallel of lives seems to be between Thesaus Scamander and Percy Weasley in choosing family -in the end- over authority... but what adds to it here are the feelings of jealousy/betrayal from being in the love triangle with Leta, which makes me wonder who did Leta truly love?
So, that's it, *phew* my so humble reactions to the Crimes of Grindelwald are out. All in all, I enjoyed watching the movie... despite of deviating from canon multiple of times [which I don't feel like discussing much now, because hey, let's focus on the good things for once]
But at least, let's all agree that this movie had nothing to do with the original series of Harry Potter, with the timeline mixed up beyond repair and all. The failed attempt in matching the stories together is the greatest understatement of the century. Fine, it's more than failure.
• Did you mention Salamanders?
• They won't hurt you. *attacks them.* Unless you attack them. Oops! *runs/slides for ones life*
Now then, the microphones are with you... what do you guys think about the movie, overall reviews and/or go into specific details mentioned or even point out further controversies I may have forgotten??? I would really love to hear from you anything you have to say.
Also, RoseLupin27 I did my waiting (!) and finally got the chance to watch the movie. thought you might be interested in my not-so-good review, like you've asked. Feel free, of course, to agree or disagree.
Until next time, lovelies <3
Oh and, please vote and COMMENT what you think.
Now, I really need to get back to writing my story, don't you reckon? "Hey, writer's block, try me. Oi, just don't put your best effort, because I'm not in the mood for a bloody fight."