Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (Blu-ray)

"Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" is a spellbinding journey that masterfully expands the wizarding world we all adore. Directed by David Yates and written by the legendary J.K. Rowling, this film is a visually stunning and narratively rich addition to the Harry Potter universe. **Plot and Storyline** The story picks up where the first film left off, diving deeper into the complex and darkening world of magical creatures and wizarding politics. Johnny Depp delivers a chilling performance as Gellert Grindelwald, embodying the sinister charisma of the dark wizard. Jude Law's portrayal of a younger Albus Dumbledore is equally compelling, offering a fresh perspective on the beloved character. The plot twists and turns, revealing secrets and setting the stage for an epic showdown between good and evil. **Characters and Performances** Eddie Redmayne returns as the endearing Newt Scamander, whose quirky charm and deep empathy for magical creatures continue to make him a standout character. The ensemble cast, including Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, and Ezra Miller, each bring depth and nuance to their roles, enriching the film's emotional landscape. Zoë Kravitz's portrayal of Leta Lestrange adds layers of intrigue and complexity, making her one of the film's standout characters. **Visuals and Special Effects** Visually, "The Crimes of Grindelwald" is a feast for the eyes. The special effects are breathtaking, bringing to life an array of magical creatures and stunning landscapes. From the bustling streets of Paris to the majestic halls of Hogwarts, the film's settings are immersive and beautifully crafted. The magical duels are particularly spectacular, showcasing cutting-edge visual effects that enhance the film's action sequences. **Themes and Messages** The film delves into deeper themes of loyalty, identity, and the moral complexities of power. It raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of good and evil, and the choices that define us. These themes resonate strongly, adding depth to the fantastical elements of the story. **Overall Experience** "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" is an enchanting and thrilling addition to the Harry Potter saga. It balances intricate storytelling with stunning visual effects, creating a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Fans of the series will appreciate the connections to the wider wizarding world, while newcomers will be drawn in by the compelling narrative and rich character development. In conclusion, "The Crimes of Grindelwald" is a magical adventure that captivates and excites. It is a must-see for anyone who loves the wizarding world and a testament to the enduring appeal of J.K. Rowling's creation. Prepare to be spellbound!

Great quality, sound and picture wonderful. No skips or blurs.

Great movie

This film Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is an action packed and suspenseful fantasy film that my husband and I fortunately had a chance to initially see in the theaters and fortunately now my husband and I can view this film as often as we like because I purchased the digital version via Amazon. The film features a vast group of actors/actresses who are well-known by many moviegoers:Eddie Raymane (Newt Scamander), Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski), Allison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein), Zoe Kravitz (Leta Lestrange), Johnny Depp (Gellert Grindelwald), Jude Law (Albus Dumbledore), Callum Turner (Theseus Scamander)Katherine Waterston (Tina Goldstein) and more actors/actresses. The way that the character of Grindelwald features significantly in the film relates to the charismatic/persuasive nature that Seraphina Picquery (Carmen Ejogo) gives a heads up to the other characters involved in the beginning of the film. This event foreshadows why Grindelwald is able to build up a team of people around him despite his history. Multiple leaders affiliated with the Ministry of Magic try to convince Newt Scamander to take up the mantle of dealing with Grindelwald. They even go as far in enlisting Theseus Scamander to convince Newt Scamander, however Newt Scamander has understandable reasons why he is initially hesitant. I refrain from saying more to be considerate to those taking the time to look at this review who are completely new to seeing this film. It was an easy choice for my husband and I to see this film in theaters and for I to purchase Fantastic Beasts Crimes of Grindelwald for my husband and I to see this film however much we prefer to for multiple reasons. My husband and I both enjoyed watching the first film and I have even had a Fantastic Beasts poster since later 2016 hanging on the apartment wall of where my husband and I live so naturally I had an inclination towards seeing this film when it was released. However, even if you are a complete novice to seeing this film, Fantastic Beasts Crimes of Grindelwald is worthwhile to see if you enjoy watching fantasy time films with magical and action packed slants.

This is the next movie in the Harry Potter prequel series, Fantastic Beasts. It is somewhat unusual in that at least for a few of the characters (mainly Dumbledore and Grindelwald) we know from the Potter films that they have a battle in 1945 and Grindelwald loses. But for the other characters who are never seen or even mentioned in Potter, we have no idea what their fates will be. Presumably, not all of them will make it to the Potter era, given that as of this film we are still in the 1920s, whether it is because they grow old and die of natural causes or otherwise. Most of this movie is laying out Grindelwald's plan to allow for those who are magical to stop hiding from the muggles/no-majes. He is definitely a different kind of evil than Voldemort was, which was good. I think Johnny Depp plays him well, although in a pretty eccentric style that has become his "thing" since taking on the Jack Sparrow role. The other big addition to the cast is Jude Law as a young Dumbledore. I would classify it as an extended cameo role, that will clearly expand as the series goes on. I think he does a good job with the role, given that it was the intention that young Dumbledore is not the same character, but has some of the same characteristics, as we see in the Potter films. All of the main characters from the first Fantastic Beasts movie reprise their roles here. Eddie Redmayne is still quirky as Newt, but since he is more in his element in this movie (it starts in London and ends up in Paris), it was a different quirky than in the first movie. The plot of this movie is a lot more convoluted than the plot of the first one and is clearly setting up the larger story that will play out over however many other movies. It ends not so much on a cliffhanger, but a big reveal and leaves a lot of loose ends. For those who get the 4k discs, the movie looks and sounds great. It continues the Potterverse movie tradition of outdoing special effects and visuals. This time, magical Paris, and the French Ministry of Magic make up the bulk of the stunning visuals. For extras, which are all included on the "regular" blu-ray, there are about an hour's worth (give or take) of behind the scenes and making-of featurettes. While I don't think it is as good as the first movie and is clearly setting up whatever comes next, it is still enjoyable. Definitely worth adding to your collection if you have the other movies on disc, and worth spending a bit more to get the 4k version.

I missed seeing this film in theaters and so have only now seen the movie on this 2-disc special edition DVD. I pre-ordered this when it was advertised as a DVD set that included the special features. Too many recent film releases don't (e.g., "Solo"). I then kept a close eye on the various versions being released. The extended cut was tempting. But, it's only available on the digital version and I don't know whether the extended cut includes the deleted scenes (included on disc 2 of this set) or the deleted scenes and other footage. So, I stuck with what I pre-ordered and am glad I did. For those, like me, with a working DVD player, no Blu-Ray player, and no means to watch the digital version while sitting in a recliner, this 2-disc special edition DVD set for $17.99 is the best buy. Disc one contains the theatrical release of the film and a short documentary (didn't time! 10-20 minutes?) on the creation of the French Ministry of Magic. The second disc contains the rest of the special features and the deleted scenes. I've enjoyed all the special features. One of these (Wizards on Screen, Fans in Life) is a discussion between Ezra Miller (Credence/Aurelius) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) that ended rather abruptly and before I was ready for it too! This 2-disc special edition DVD set is one I completely recommend adding to your Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts collection. In regard to the movie, shortly before writing this review, I read a film review that called the film "underwhelming" and had issues with Johnny Depp as Grindelwald. I completely disagree with both those assessments. "Crimes" has amazing sets, new characters, new and amazing creatures, and many new tentacles of interest to expand on and resolve as the story continues. Grindelwald and Dumbledore are iconic characters and need similarly iconic actors to portray them. Kudos to those involved behind the scenes for their typically wonderful casting of all the actors bringing these characters "to life" on screen, particularly Johnny Depp as Grindelwald and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the established cast and of those introduced in "Crimes," such as Fiona Glascot (young Minerva McGonagal), Brontis Jodorowsky (Nicolas Flamel), Claudia Kim (Nagini), Callum Turner (Theseus Scamander), and William Nadylam (Yusuf Kama), as the story continues.

I love this Series. Excellent Movie.

It's November 1927, six months after the end of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", when Macusa finally captured Grindelwald. Now he's being transferred to Europe to stand trial for his crimes on their continent. Remember, as they tied his arms six months before, Grindelwald said, "Do you think you can hold me?" His confidence was not wishful thinking. There's a great escape sequence, and it all takes place before the opening credits, like a James Bond film. The Ministries of Magic in England and France now have two urgent jobs: recapture Grindelwald, and find Credence Barebone. Like the first Fantastic Beast film, this movie has lots of foreshadowing of the days of Voldemort and Harry Potter to come. The best is Nagini, but Nicolas Flamel is a nice touch (see what he has in his cupboard!), and the story of Dumbledore as a young man is a long time coming. The biggest surprise for me, though, and it wasn't a pleasant surprise, was Queenie. Say it isn't so! This set has both a BluRay and a DVD disc (as well as a code for downloading). Both discs have the movie, but the BluRay has many more Bonus Features. If you buy the movie on disc, subtitles and audio are available in several languages, on both the movie and the Bonus Features. Audio Options: English, English Descriptive Audio, French, Spanish. Also Portuguese on BluRay only (not on DVD) Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish. Also Portuguese on BluRay only (not on DVD) Bonus Features: ...A... "J.K. Rowling: A World Revealed" (10 minutes) Commentators include J.K. Rowling, David Heyman (producer) and David Yates (director). Heyman: "I think Grindelwald is a much more interesting villain than Voldemort.... Grindelwald is, for me, immeasurably scarier, because he persuades, he makes sense, he talks in seemingly rational terms." ...B... "Wizards on Screen, Fans in Real Life" (14 minutes) This is a fun feature – but if you haven't seen the movie, it has spoilers. In August, 2018, Ezra Miller (plays Credence) and Evanna Lynch (played Luna Lovegood) get together to view preview scenes from "Crimes of Grindelwald". One thing they bring up, that I hadn't remembered, was that the first mention of Grindelwald in the movies is in the very first, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone". On the train, Harry and Ron open chocolate frog cards. The back of a card with Dumbledore states, "Professor Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945." ...C... "Distinctly Dumbledore" (10 minutes) New commentators include Jude Law (plays Dumbledore), Colleen Atwood (costume designer), Eddie Redmayne (plays Newt) and Jonny Depp (plays Grindelwald). ...D... "Unlocking Scene Secrets" (49 minutes) If you like the how-they-did-that of films as much as the films themselves, you will really love these. Scenes include Return to Hogwarts, Newt's Menagerie, the Circus Arcanus, Paris and Place Cachée ("hidden square"), the French Ministry of Magic, and Grindelwald's escape and his ring of fire. The French Ministry of Magic feature is the only on on the DVD. If you're wondering, there is a real statue at the location for the entrance to the magical hidden world, but it looks nothing like the skirted woman in the movie. She's 100% CGI. I was disappointed! ...E... "Deleted Scenes" (15 minutes) Ten short scene-lets. Jonny Depp, in Bonus Feature D, says, "No one no matter who they are or how horrible they are, how evil they are, they don't wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and say, 'I'm going to go out and do really bad things today.' No, he's doing what he believes is right at whatever cost." Depp wouldn't have been my first second third or twenty-third choice for Grindelwald, but he did really understand his character. So his Grindelwald grew on me. 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5! "Magic blooms only in rare souls." Happy Reader