Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

[Tg11]

Mads Mikkelsen I actually like his take on Grindelwald despite the script he got...he actually did a good job with what he was given but it just isn't the same without Johnny Depp as Grindelwald

 

[Marvolo]

I still can't believe they made a Wizarding World film about a damn election decided by a deer. Grindewald has had years to build a following and search the world for more magic and weapons. He has the Elder Wand. He's incredibly powerful. And this is the best he can do?

I get that they want Grindelwald to take a more "civilized" approach to taking power by way of manipulating the systems and laws as opposed to a hostile coup, but its just not as interesting as Voldemort. We didn't even see it happen in DH, but the single line reveal at the wedding, "The Ministry has fallen.They are coming." was more thrilling than the entirety of Grindelwald's plot.

The Wizarding World used to be about secret prophecies, dark resurrections, assassination, double agents, secret love, deadly mysteries,, and a boy who defied the odds and death. Now its about bitter exes and a deer deciding an election.

 

[Drizzle]

This is now streaming on HBO Max so I checked it out.

I thought it was at least better than Crimes of Grindelwald, but not by a wide margin. This at least felt more eventful and to its credit, they at least made a "fantastic beast" a big part of the plot. Mikkelsen, Law and Fogler made it worth watching but it was still too long. I didn't think it was bad, just kinda meh.

I doubt this series will continue as anything but an HBO Max series, if at all.

 

[Primal Slayer]

This is now streaming on HBO Max so I checked it out.

I thought it was at least better than Crimes of Grindelwald, but not by a wide margin. This at least felt more eventful and to its credit, they at least made a "fantastic beast" a big part of the plot. Mikkelsen, Law and Fogler made it worth watching but it was still too long. I didn't think it was bad, just kinda meh.

I doubt this series will continue as anything but an HBO Max series, if at all.

Not even that since JK is against a series.

 

[MadVillainy]

Broken record but they really need to buy this series from her. And I've been saying this before the transphobia.

They already f'ed up two potential series but if it gets away from Rowling (and Yates honestly) maybe it could open this thing up and get more creative and have some fun with it.

Say what you want about George Lucas but at least he allowed Star Wars to grow with tons of games, animation, comics, books, etc...and yeah as far as I know he isn't a racist, sexist, or _____phobe.

 

[Sithborg]

Broken record but they really need to buy this series from her. And I've been saying this before the transphobia.

They already f'ed up two potential series but if it gets away from Rowling (and Yates honestly) maybe it could open this thing up and get more creative and have some fun with it.

Say what you want about George Lucas but at least he allowed Star Wars to grow with tons of games, animation, comics, books, etc...and yeah as far as I know he isn't a racist, sexist, or _____phobe.

To be fair, he did use a lot of racial caricatures in TPM, which isn't great. But, it seems he took criticism to heart, and not doubled down.

Plus, when he got his money from Disney, he used it to champion affordable housing where he lives, so you know, actions speak louder than words.

 

[MadVillainy]

I mean everyone does/did or play into stereotypical race, gender, sexual orientation tropes in films. Even today. I can't knock him for that more than I do everyone else in Hollywood. As you said, at least he didn't double down or continue

But my main point is more about even pre Disney he allowed the Star Wars universe to grow and wasn't so detrimentally protective of it and killed all of its potential

 

[Spider-Fan]

Watched on HBO Max with the wife. Was it better than Crimes of Grindelwald? Yes. Was it good? No. This was less offensively bad, but it was boring and meandered most of the movie.

Put this series out of its misery

 

[Doctor Jones]

Yeah, I was wrong about this being the best one by default. It's better than the last one but aside from some good ideas and moments, this was a drab bore. And Mikkelson's recasting, as good as he always is, has already made this a little outdated.

This franchise needs to go away for a while and come back with a fresh pair of eyes.

 

[Closerframe]

Mads was significantly better than Depp. He played Grindelwald in a more believably seductive way, but I still stand by the idea of Farrell playing him throughout the three films.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Mads was better, but it also didn't make a monumental difference. The movie was just dull and I don't think it would have been a disaster with Depp (from an acting standpoint). The worst aspect of Depp"s version was the design. He looked stupid, and I think the scenes with Dumbledore would have been funny regardless how good Depp possibly could have done it because he looked so silly. But that isnt something I put on Depp. That is a design choice. In other words, sure he was an improvement in this movie with Mads, but it didn't make the movie all that much better in the end.

The Wizarding World needs to go back to formula.

 

[OtherwiseKnownAs]

I mean, Rowling holds the keys the Wizarding World, and she’s doing her damn best to make this franchise as toxic and unattractive as possible.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Yeah, I thought this was pretty much bad overall. I didn't hate the first 2, but all in all, this trilogy just did not work at all. I have no idea what they're gonna do with this world next, but it needs to be interesting.

 

[Marvolo]

So I finally watched all of this and this was so low energy I'm shocked. I liked the characters a lot, and I'm still very much invested in them and their futures. But my God, Yates direction isn't even remotely exciting anymore. There was some fun in the manticore prison scene but the rest was the equivalent of mood music in a coffee shop.

And I'm entirely convinced now that Yates genuinely doesn't care at all about the magic. At this point, I think he's only involved for Rowling and the actors and the paycheck. Every scene with magic seemed like Yates was begrudgingly including it and trying to get it over with as soon as possible. Take the suitcase 3 card monty scene. Theseus and the Professor Hicks get into a fight with a handful of Grindelgoons and all of them are shooting clear spells with the tiniest shimmer of blue that is blink and you'll miss it. All the spells make the same sound. It lasts maybe 30 seconds. The most interesting moment is Professor Hicks throws objects at one goon...and of course, they are clear glass orbs, because that's the limits of Yates imagination.

Another moment is when Yusuf decides whether he will side with Grindelwald or Dumbledore. Its been building to this decision through the whole film.. will he or won't he. The scene holds on his face then he spins around plants his wand in the ground the camera pulls in tight and the ground and bricks rush at the goons and they are all knocked out. Lasts maybe 15 seconds.

Thats the kind of magic the film has to offer.

And what the hell was up with Dumbledore's mind duels? Idk about yall but I didn't want to see Dumbledore and Grindel imagine a duel for 15 seconds. I didn't sit through 3 films for that. I wanted a massive earth shaking duel with actual consequences and injuries.

Another good example of how unmagical Yates films have become. When they walk into the Room of Requirement to take the port key to the election its just an empty bare stone room with a cgi prayer wheel in the middle. Theres nothing that stands out as Room of Requirement. Nothing dynamic. Now imagine instead, they enter the Room of Requirement and it's the cathedral size room where all the student's lost items go. Jacob is floored by the scale of it. The prayer wheel is an old relic and a port key specifically for reaching the election location and Dumbledore keeps it in this room of lost things. Cause he's Dumbledore and eccentric and does things for his own reasons. Wouldnt that have been more interesting than a bland empty stone room?

And one last thing, and I'm honestly sad about this, I didn't like Mickelson's Grindelwald. Depp at least brought an unhinged dangerous quality to the character. I believed that his Grindelwad was in control and not going to let people get in his way. Mickelson's Grindelwald seems pitiful in comparison and like a guy who just wants allies and to be loved. He doesnt even fight the protagonists. They **** all over his victory and Grindelwald looks like a frustrated kid who's had a cookie taken from him. The limits of his defiance is being flustered and saying, "You have no proof!". This guy has spent years working towards this goal and this group of people have destroyed his plans and others have betrayed him and he doesnt do a damn thing. Then before leaving he looks sad and says none of the wizards are his enemies. What?! This is the guy who builds a prison to hold his enemies. A guy that will conquer Europe. A guy that set an obscurus loose on new York and tried to destroy Paris with Fiendfire simply to distract and kill a handful of Aurors. One of the greatest dark wizards in history. Just gets sad, sulks, and leaves?


Please, WB, fire Yates, and continue this series. It just needs a director with some creativity and a sense of fun. I would looooove to see what Taika could do with this series.

 

[KillerMcQueen]

So I finally watched all of this and this was so low energy I'm shocked. I liked the characters a lot, and I'm still very much invested in them and their futures. But my God, Yates direction isn't even remotely exciting anymore. There was some fun in the manticore prison scene but the rest was the equivalent of mood music in a coffee shop.

And I'm entirely convinced now that Yates genuinely doesn't care at all about the magic. At this point, I think he's only involved for Rowling and the actors and the paycheck. Every scene with magic seemed like Yates was begrudgingly including it and trying to get it over with as soon as possible. Take the suitcase 3 card monty scene. Theseus and the Professor Hicks get into a fight with a handful of Grindelgoons and all of them are shooting clear spells with the tiniest shimmer of blue that is blink and you'll miss it. All the spells make the same sound. It lasts maybe 30 seconds. The most interesting moment is Professor Hicks throws objects at one goon...and of course, they are clear glass orbs, because that's the limits of Yates imagination.

Another moment is when Yusuf decides whether he will side with Grindelwald or Dumbledore. Its been building to this decision through the whole film.. will he or won't he. The scene holds on his face then he spins around plants his wand in the ground the camera pulls in tight and the ground and bricks rush at the goons and they are all knocked out. Lasts maybe 15 seconds.

Thats the kind of magic the film has to offer.

And what the hell was up with Dumbledore's mind duels? Idk about yall but I didn't want to see Dumbledore and Grindel imagine a duel for 15 seconds. I didn't sit through 3 films for that. I wanted a massive earth shaking duel with actual consequences and injuries.

Another good example of how unmagical Yates films have become. When they walk into the Room of Requirement to take the port key to the election its just an empty bare stone room with a cgi prayer wheel in the middle. Theres nothing that stands out as Room of Requirement. Nothing dynamic. Now imagine instead, they enter the Room of Requirement and it's the cathedral size room where all the student's lost items go. Jacob is floored by the scale of it. The prayer wheel is an old relic and a port key specifically for reaching the election location and Dumbledore keeps it in this room of lost things. Cause he's Dumbledore and eccentric and does things for his own reasons. Wouldnt that have been more interesting than a bland empty stone room?

And one last thing, and I'm honestly sad about this, I didn't like Mickelson's Grindelwald. Depp at least brought an unhinged dangerous quality to the character. I believed that his Grindelwad was in control and not going to let people get in his way. Mickelson's Grindelwald seems pitiful in comparison and like a guy who just wants allies and to be loved. He doesnt even fight the protagonists. They **** all over his victory and Grindelwald looks like a frustrated kid who's had a cookie taken from him. The limits of his defiance is being flustered and saying, "You have no proof!". This guy has spent years working towards this goal and this group of people have destroyed his plans and others have betrayed him and he doesnt do a damn thing. Then before leaving he looks sad and says none of the wizards are his enemies. What?! This is the guy who builds a prison to hold his enemies. A guy that will conquer Europe. A guy that set an obscurus loose on new York and tried to destroy Paris with Fiendfire simply to distract and kill a handful of Aurors. One of the greatest dark wizards in history. Just gets sad, sulks, and leaves?


Please, WB, fire Yates, and continue this series. It just needs a director with some creativity and a sense of fun. I would looooove to see what Taika could do with this series.

I've never been much of a fan of Yates, and you saying he doesn't seem to care about the magic sums it up pretty well. He's basically a black hole sucking all the magic out of the franchise, wizard fashion has basically just become muggle fashion 90% of the time (long coats do not qualify as robes), almost no one ever actually says the spells they're casting, spells and duels are more often than not simplified into a bunch of bland bolts of light, supposedly "beautiful" locations appear run-down and drab with bland color grading, and the "fanastic beasts", spend most of their time relegated to one-off set pieces or stuffed into suitcases.

 

[Spider-Fan]

So I finally watched all of this and this was so low energy I'm shocked. I liked the characters a lot, and I'm still very much invested in them and their futures. But my God, Yates direction isn't even remotely exciting anymore. There was some fun in the manticore prison scene but the rest was the equivalent of mood music in a coffee shop.

And I'm entirely convinced now that Yates genuinely doesn't care at all about the magic. At this point, I think he's only involved for Rowling and the actors and the paycheck. Every scene with magic seemed like Yates was begrudgingly including it and trying to get it over with as soon as possible. Take the suitcase 3 card monty scene. Theseus and the Professor Hicks get into a fight with a handful of Grindelgoons and all of them are shooting clear spells with the tiniest shimmer of blue that is blink and you'll miss it. All the spells make the same sound. It lasts maybe 30 seconds. The most interesting moment is Professor Hicks throws objects at one goon...and of course, they are clear glass orbs, because that's the limits of Yates imagination.

Another moment is when Yusuf decides whether he will side with Grindelwald or Dumbledore. Its been building to this decision through the whole film.. will he or won't he. The scene holds on his face then he spins around plants his wand in the ground the camera pulls in tight and the ground and bricks rush at the goons and they are all knocked out. Lasts maybe 15 seconds.

Thats the kind of magic the film has to offer.

And what the hell was up with Dumbledore's mind duels? Idk about yall but I didn't want to see Dumbledore and Grindel imagine a duel for 15 seconds. I didn't sit through 3 films for that. I wanted a massive earth shaking duel with actual consequences and injuries.

Another good example of how unmagical Yates films have become. When they walk into the Room of Requirement to take the port key to the election its just an empty bare stone room with a cgi prayer wheel in the middle. Theres nothing that stands out as Room of Requirement. Nothing dynamic. Now imagine instead, they enter the Room of Requirement and it's the cathedral size room where all the student's lost items go. Jacob is floored by the scale of it. The prayer wheel is an old relic and a port key specifically for reaching the election location and Dumbledore keeps it in this room of lost things. Cause he's Dumbledore and eccentric and does things for his own reasons. Wouldnt that have been more interesting than a bland empty stone room?

And one last thing, and I'm honestly sad about this, I didn't like Mickelson's Grindelwald. Depp at least brought an unhinged dangerous quality to the character. I believed that his Grindelwad was in control and not going to let people get in his way. Mickelson's Grindelwald seems pitiful in comparison and like a guy who just wants allies and to be loved. He doesnt even fight the protagonists. They **** all over his victory and Grindelwald looks like a frustrated kid who's had a cookie taken from him. The limits of his defiance is being flustered and saying, "You have no proof!". This guy has spent years working towards this goal and this group of people have destroyed his plans and others have betrayed him and he doesnt do a damn thing. Then before leaving he looks sad and says none of the wizards are his enemies. What?! This is the guy who builds a prison to hold his enemies. A guy that will conquer Europe. A guy that set an obscurus loose on new York and tried to destroy Paris with Fiendfire simply to distract and kill a handful of Aurors. One of the greatest dark wizards in history. Just gets sad, sulks, and leaves?


Please, WB, fire Yates, and continue this series. It just needs a director with some creativity and a sense of fun. I would looooove to see what Taika could do with this series.

My better idea is fire Yates, kill this series, and do something else

 

[Drizzle]

My better idea is fire Yates, kill this series, and do something else

After how horrendously Secrets of Dumbledore performed, if there's another Wizarding World film in the pipeline I doubt it'll be helmed by Yates anyway.

 

[InCali]

For my own reasons, I haven't seen it; and don't plan to, but maybe it would have been more exciting to have a house select/bipartisan committee appointed to figure out what was really going on???

I won't be doing anything to give JKR any dough.

 

[Marvolo]

I've never been much of a fan of Yates, and you saying he doesn't seem to care about the magic sums it up pretty well. He's basically a black hole sucking all the magic out of the franchise, wizard fashion has basically just become muggle fashion 90% of the time (long coats do not qualify as robes), almost no one ever actually says the spells they're casting, spells and duels are more often than not simplified into a bunch of bland bolts of light, supposedly "beautiful" locations appear run-down and drab with bland color grading, and the "fanastic beasts", spend most of their time relegated to one-off set pieces or stuffed into suitcases.

Don't forget the magic "goo" that spells become when wands lock together. Yates looooves the magic goo.

The last really inspired bit of magic Yate's directed was Dumbledore vs Voldemort in OOTP. He actually put thought into it with the duel being entirely elements of nature: Darkness to light, fire to water, glass to sand. And voldemort trying to hit Harry with the bolts richocheting from Dumbledore's wand was pretty cool too. Since then tho its just been as little effort as possible.

Oh and they need to fire Mark Day as well. He is a hack in an editing bay.

 

[Erzengel]

I just watched this and yeah it’s better than the last but I did find it hard really caring about everyone and the characterization and arcs seemed just to change from the last movie. I felt this movie tidies up all the characters for this series except for Dumbledore and Grindlewald. Do we really need another movie to resolve that? Does anyone really care?

 

[Marvolo]

Grindelwald hasn't conquered Europe or started imprisoning his enemies yet. After the events of this film he continues to fight and isn't imprisond until 1945.

This film needed to end with Grindelwald beginning to conquer territory and at least one major head of government imprisoned or dead. Then the next film could have began in the 1940s with Grindelwald on the verge of total victory. End film 4 with the last of Europe's Wizarding governments falling and Britain being his next target. Film 5 then would be about overthrowing Grindelwald and the big final duel.

Ending this film with Grindelwald running leaves it seeming like he is finished which isn't the case.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I think they ended it the way they did so they could quit and move on. You are technically correct, but at the same time no one cares about these. No point in a 4th or 5th film

 

[Sithborg]

Well, Emma Watson has come out and said she would not return to Harry Potter unless Rowling was not involved. So, you can probably scratch that emergency button off your list.

 

[InCali]

Still haven't seen it. Won't see it and wasn't even aware people were talking about it until it popped up in new posts. Good on Emma.

 

[MadVillainy]

Well, Emma Watson has come out and said she would not return to Harry Potter unless Rowling was not involved. So, you can probably scratch that emergency button off your list.

Still haven't seen it. Won't see it and wasn't even aware people were talking about it until it popped up in new posts. Good on Emma.

No she didn't. It's clickbait at best and just made up at the worst. GiantFreakingRobot isn't a known reputable site and just look at the site's homepage...or don't so they don't get any more clicks. Even some of their confirmed scoops are shaky at best.

This is what the article says:

A key part of that would be getting back the original stars of Harry Potter, but our trusted and proven sources have told Emma Watson will only return to the franchise if JK Rowling is not involved in any way.

No actual quotes from Watson regarding the matter. Just "our sources say".

It's not unbelievable that Watson, or a lot of the cast, feel that way. I'd be more surprised if they didn't. But Watson never came out and explicitly said that. GFR is just throwing out a very obvious and likely theory and hoping that it sticks. It's just a clickbait farm.