WB's 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' original script by J.K. Rowling - Part 1

[DarthSkywalker]

Well at least the girls were cute.

 

[Marvolo]

All the movies after the first 2 could have used another 15 mins, except for the last two. Should have been one movie.

The last book had too much necessary stuff to be crammed into a single 2.5 hour film. Hell, two films barely even got the job done.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

The last book had too much to be crammed into a single 2.5 hour film.

It didn't have to be 2.5 hours. You push the limit, just like the LotR did. There was no reason you couldn't make a 3 hour plus Harry Potter. They already proved at WB people will sit around for family flicks.

 

[Marvolo]

It didn't have to be 2.5 hours. You push the limit, just like the LotR did. There was no reason you couldn't make a 3 hour plus Harry Potter. They already proved at WB people will sit around for family flicks.

A 3 hour film wouldnt have been enough. They couldnt even cover everything with 4.5 hours. The book needed two 150 minute films at least.

 

[Drizzle]

You know the school romance is way better Voldemort's origin. Which would you rather have?

You forgot the unnecessary attack on the Burrow they added for no particular reason other than they needed an action scene.

That flashback GIF reminded me that they did show Gambon as Dumbledore in the 1940's, a time period which they will no doubt cover in the Fantastic Beasts films. While I very much doubt Gambon would come back, I wonder if they're going to cast an older actor for Dumbledore.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

A 3 hour film wouldnt have been enough. They couldnt even cover everything with 4.5 hours. The book needed two 150 minute films at least.

Disagree. There is drag in both films, which is funny when you consider the second film is like 2 hours.

 

[Marvolo]

Disagree. There is drag in both films, which is funny when you consider the second film is like 2 hours.

The pacing could have been improved in both films without abandoning the two film structure.

I dont even think part 2 drags. It goes by entirely too fast and short changes the battle and characters and resolutions. That film really needed another 30 minutes and a better structured battle.

Part 1 could have benefited from showing what was going on in Hogwarts with Ginny and Neville and doing a better job with Dumbledore's backstory. Mixing that in with the camping (the only section that I think drags) would have helped Part 1.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

The pacing could have been improved in both films without abandoning the two film structure.

I dont even think part 2 drags. It goes by entirely too fast and short changes the battle and characters and resolutions. That film really needed another 30 minutes and a better structured battle.

Part 1 could have benefited from showing what was going on in Hogwarts with Ginny and Neville and doing a better job with Dumbledore's backstory.

Combined the two films are 276 mins. Cut 12 mins of the credits for one, it is down to 264 mins.

The essential story is:

- Voldemort takes over the Ministry and Hogwarts
- The trio set out
- They break into the Ministry
- Ron gets injured, has a fit and leaves
- Harry gets the sword
- Ron comes back, they destroy a Horcrux, and they are captured
- They get free and Dobby dies
- They break into Gringotts
- They head back to Hogwarts
- They battle of Hogwarts
- they find the final Horcruxes
- Snape dies
- Harry sees the visions
- Harry Dies
- Harry comes back to life
- Harry kills Voldemort
- Epilogue

You can do that in 210 mins. They did The Fellowship of the Ring in 170 mins. There is no reason reason to hang out with characters who have been all but irrelevant for 6 films.

 

[fancyarcher]

There was no need. Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire pretty much got all of the essentials from the books. The one glaring omission from POA was the backstory of the Marauders. GOF had a little bit more excised from the book, but it didn't really effect the narrative. Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince are a different story, those had too much important stuff left out of the films, especially HBP. While I appreciated that Deathly Hallows was split into two films since it adapted most of the book, I do think they could have done it in one 3-hour film. But, you know, money.

GOF isn't bad, but it really doesn't focus a whole lot on the mystery angle as much as it could have, like the book, which is one of the things I admittedly don't particularly care about it.

 

[fancyarcher]

A 3 hour film wouldnt have been enough. They couldnt even cover everything with 4.5 hours. The book needed two 150 minute films at least.

Heck all of three of the last Potter books could have been turned into two part films easily. There's just much so much going on in all three books.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

You cannot just turn one story into two different stories. Doing so remove the balance of the story. When you make an artificial "ending" and "restart" point, that is what you get. At lest one artificial film.

 

[redhawk23]

Just got back from seeing the new film. I liked it a lot more than I expected.
All in all it was a nice little adventure. The only shame is that I'm afraid that it will the the first and last of these films to really work on its own terms.

The movie gives us a glimpse at a time and a place in the wizarding world that we've never seen. Unfortunately, Wizard America is a dour place. It is harsh and severe. Magic isn't just hidden but in the case of magical creatures outright stamped out in the name of wizard security.

The advertised plot of the film is basically you're rune of the mill "Put the monster back in the box" plot seen elsewhere in movies like Goosebumps or Jumanji. But really that's just a lead in that brings together a group of likable characters into contact with the real plot.

This movie introduces brewing forces in a major wizarding conflict as has been reported and discussed elsewhere. Even all that though just provides the sets up the context for what is actually moving, individual story, and with a lot of subtext to unpack.

 

[redhawk23]

It seems like it was written directly for the fans, instead of a broad audience. Not so much on the lingo and terminologies but the other stuff? Like knowing who the Goldstein sisters and the big baddie are, historically speaking, and their significant to the lore?

Wait, where else have the Goldstein sisters ever come up?

 

[redhawk23]

Even then, how would that be interesting. I would think after a while, it would be difficult to make the whole monster catching plot less tedious.

That is more or less the plot of several successful family films.

 

[Victarion]

My only regret from the eight movies is how they shortchanged Voldemort's flashbacks.

 

[LoganGambit87]

'Fantastic Beasts' Eyes Fantastic Opening that Could Top $90 Million
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4242&p=.htm

 

[TheVileOne]

Didn't Order of the Phoenix delete a subplot where Kreacher ended up spilling the beans to Bellatrix because she's of the House of Black?

 

[Wheels]

Wait, where else have the Goldstein sisters ever come up?

The textbook.

 

[Marvolo]

You cannot just turn one story into two different stories. Doing so remove the balance of the story. When you make an artificial "ending" and "restart" point, that is what you get. At lest one artificial film.

They didn't turn one story into two different stories. Both parts were the same story: finding the horcruxes and stopping Voldemort.

 

[Marvolo]

Combined the two films are 276 mins. Cut 12 mins of the credits for one, it is down to 264 mins.

The essential story is:

- Voldemort takes over the Ministry and Hogwarts
- The trio set out
- They break into the Ministry
- Ron gets injured, has a fit and leaves
- Harry gets the sword
- Ron comes back, they destroy a Horcrux, and they are captured
- They get free and Dobby dies
- They break into Gringotts
- They head back to Hogwarts
- They battle of Hogwarts
- they find the final Horcruxes
- Snape dies
- Harry sees the visions
- Harry Dies
- Harry comes back to life
- Harry kills Voldemort
- Epilogue

You can do that in 210 mins. They did The Fellowship of the Ring in 170 mins. There is no reason reason to hang out with characters who have been all but irrelevant for 6 films.

I can't imagine cutting 54 minutes out of the DH films. That's a lot to lose. You really think they should have cut Grindewald, Dumbledore's past, and the Elder Wand and the Hallows? They cut that stuff to the bare minimum, but cutting it entirely would have been terrible.

And neither parts of the film "hang out with characters who have been all but irrelevant for 6 films." I'm not even sure which characters you are referring to.

 

[Crosswind Ghost]

Just got back from seeing it in 70mm. Over 400 people in my theater, I absolutely adored it, great world building on Jo's part, the cast was really special, Newt extrovert mannerisms were extremely relatable, Eddie created a great character, and I thought Dan Fogler did an excellent job, holy hell did we dodge a bullet with josh gad, I cannot believe he was being considered, that really could've ruined the character and overall my attitude towards the film. I'm anxious to see where this story goes.

 

[def28]

Got back and enjoyed this film alot more then I thought I would. My friends hated it though.

I was really surprised at how dark it got it times and how that contrasted to the fun beast hunting side of things. I'll be curious to see how most audiences respond. Loved the setting here.

The one thing I was really disappointed in was[BLACKOUT] that is seems Colin Farrel will not be returning. Thought he didn't have enough time here and when given the screen time was a force to be reckoned with. Shame he seems to be replaced. [/BLACKOUT]

8/10

 

[tanita_mors]

Got back and enjoyed this film alot more then I thought I would. My friends hated it though.

I was really surprised at how dark it got it times and how that contrasted to the fun beast hunting side of things. I'll be curious to see how most audiences respond. Loved the setting here.

The one thing I was really disappointed in was[BLACKOUT] that is seems Colin Farrel will not be returning. Thought he didn't have enough time here and when given the screen time was a force to be reckoned with. Shame he seems to be replaced. [/BLACKOUT]

8/10

Me too. I'm kind of bummed out to be honest.[BLACKOUT] I don't hate Depp, but his work in the past 10 years has been mostly lacking. Farrell really gave me the menace, subtlety and allure I wanted from Grindewald. I'm hoping they may bring him back in some capacity. [/BLACKOUT]

 

[tanita_mors]

Didn't Order of the Phoenix delete a subplot where Kreacher ended up spilling the beans to Bellatrix because she's of the House of Black?

Yes it did. I think every movie deleted at least one subplot per book that JK and producers believed didn't directly affect the ending of the series. It was mostly felt in HBP - that was full butchery. The rest were more or less balanced enough. The only way you could do every book fully is if you had a 7 season 10 episode Netflix or HBO series. Maybe we will, in a few decades.

 

[def28]

Me too. I'm kind of bummed out to be honest.[BLACKOUT] I don't hate Depp, but his work in the past 10 years has been mostly lacking. Farrell really gave me the menace, subtlety and allure I wanted from Grindewald. I'm hoping they may bring him back in some capacity. [/BLACKOUT]

Agreed

[BLACKOUT]Farrell has really been underrated this decade and I thought this was gonna be his chance to have a significant role in a big franchise. Right when his character started to get interesting his time seems to be up. To be replaced by someone like Depp who has had more then his fair share of over exposure just felt like Hollywood ********. But yeah, like you said hopefully there is more to the character and he will return in some capacity. [/BLACKOUT]