Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Parent Guide

Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is having a peak experience for any magizoologist: midwifing the birth of a qilin. This rare deer-like creature holds a special place in the wizarding world due to its ability to see into a person’s soul. Traditionally, qilins were used to pick leaders of the magical community by determining their goodness and worthiness so the timing of this birth is fortuitous. The International Confederation of Wizards (a magical version of the United Nations) is choosing a new leader and having a qilin confirm character would be helpful. Unfortunately, as Newt watches the mother greet her baby, they are attacked by dark wizards determined to seize the infant qilin for their own twisted purposes.

Arch-villain Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is back and soon to be cleared of charges relating to his evil deeds in the earlier films. Once exonerated, he declares his candidacy for the international leadership of the magical world, with a plan to declare war on Muggles, who he describes as “animals”. Obsessed with pure wizarding blood, he declares his intention to burn down the non-magical world and establish a new order ruled by wizards and witches.

Only one person knows Grindelwald well enough to stop him…but he is magically bound in such a way that his hands are tied. Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Grindelwald were lovers in their youth and swore a blood oath so neither could hurt the other. Horrified by Grindelwald’s violent xenophobia, Dumbledore reaches out to Newt Scamander to save the day. Fortunately, Newt knows a few things about qilins and he also knows how to pick his friends.

Fans of the Harry Potter universe will have one question. Is this movie as disappointing as the second one in the franchise or does it regain the magic of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them? The answer is “sort of”. The Secrets of Dumbledore is mercifully better than Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald but it doesn’t achieve the enchanting wonder of the first film. This is partially due to the darkness of the plot, as Dumbledore family secrets intertwine with an increasingly authoritarian magical community. It’s also because the movie feels a bit overstuffed thanks to the multiple plot lines weaving through the story. At one point, Dumbledore warns his colleagues that Grindelwald now has the ability to see the future, so they are going to have to employ “counterthought”. This is apparently the use of “many overlapping plans to confuse Grindelwald and his future sight”. At times it feels like the movie has overlapping stories that can confuse audiences, but, thankfully, the narrative arcs all resolve by the end of the film.

As with other films in Rowling-related franchises, the major concern in this production is violence. There are frequent wand duels which result in injuries and massive property destruction. This film also features a horrifying monster which resembles a gigantic, multi-stingered scorpion, accompanied by scores of smaller critters. This ravenous creature will definitely frighten younger viewers. Parents with traditional views of sexuality will also be unhappy that Dumbledore’s homosexuality is front and center in the plot but it should be noted that there is no romantic activity of any kind.

Content issues aside, this movie is a serviceable outing for a franchise that is expected to run to five films. It’s true that the “Queenie on the dark side” (Alison Sudol) subplot has always been unconvincing. It’s not always clear what’s going on with Newt’s assistant, Bunty (Victoria Yeates). And Lally’s (Jessical Williams) accent is intensely annoying. However, even if this film isn’t mind-blowingly magical, it’s at least absorbing. It doesn’t amplify the series but at least it doesn’t destroy it. Sometimes that’s as good as it gets.