“Secrets of Dumbledore” review: Where did the beasts go?

“Should you agree to do what I ask, you’ll have to trust me, even when every instinct tells you not to.” -Albus Dumbledore

Just like what the quote says, this is what the film, the creators and the production company are asking you before seeing the film.

Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore tells the story of how Albus Dumbledore, with the help of his former student and famous Magizoologist Newt Scamander, will try to stop Gellert Grindelwald’s evil plans on making the pure-blooded wizards to rule the non-magical people. 

Despite the controversies that had happened during the production, I never lost hope that this film would be different from its predecessors. But forgive me Professor Dumbledore, because the inconsistencies and the underwhelming twists are just really hard to ignore. In fact, this film felt like a band-aid solution that covers up the failures of  creative decisions.

This film felt like a stand-alone plot, only focusing on Dumbledore and Grindelwald’s connection. Director David Yates knew how to relate every film he directed, as we’ve seen from his experience on directing the 4th Harry Potter until the end of the HP Franchise. But the characterizations were not his forte, nor is J.K. ‘s, so they had to get back Steve Kloves for it, as he is one of the main writers from the Harry Potter films. 

The film proved the long-time fan theory of Dumbledore’s homosexuality and relationship with Gellert. This, along with having Hogwarts as one of its settings, and giving a fake wand to one of the beloved muggle characters Jacob Kowalski, shows how the film tries to cater to the rest of its loyal fans back from the Harry Potter franchise.

There’s nothing to look forward to the rest of the characters, especially with one of the protagonists Newt Scamander. His character was subsided throughout the films. It seems that his only job is to take care of his magical creatures and being Albus Dumbledore’s boy toy. The passion of Jacob & Queenie’s relationship are gone, like they were just separated yesterday and got back together again. The rest of the characters are just there to help, with no character development to see. And the sudden decrease of Tina Goldstein’s appearance was still disturbing to me. Was it because of the actress Katherine Waterson’s denouncement of J.K Rowling’s transphobic claims last year, or maybe they just really ran out of scenes to add her?

Still, I would like to applaud its cast for their wonderful performances. Jude Law and Mads Mikkelsen’s chemistry works harmoniously. Mad’s portrayal was truly magnificent, giving us a subtle yet still menacing Grindelwald. Jude Law still managed to capture Dumbledore’s character we knew from the Harry Potter franchise. The empathetic, clever and low-key wizard. 

The film just played safe all throughout its ideals and narrative, and just gave what the fans wanted to happen years ago. In the end, just like its predecessors, Fantastic Beasts: Secrets of Dumbledore are made just to make the wizarding world relevant.

To end this review, where are the rest of the beasts?