Fantastic Beasts : The crimes of Grindelwald reviewed.

When a movie begins with Johnny Depp making an eerie entrance, it sure is going to be one hell of a movie.

And it is indeed. The sequel to the vastly popular and insanely spectacular 1st film, Crimes of Grindelwald builds itself perfectly for the next part (Something that studios are relying on these days rather than a happy ending; there are 3 more planned).

Frequent collaborators JK ROWLING and DAVID YATES give us yet another hell of a visual extravaganza putting that crazy imagination on the screen. That eerie silence between crunch scenes and the part soothing part mysterious score by JAMES NEWTON HOWARD add to the terrific effects (and that would be putting it very subtly) that create an audio-visual rhapsody (No reference to the Bohemian Rhapsody there).

The plot is an extension of the first film where Grindelwald is now free and pulling wizards from the wizardry world into his fold and trying to rule over both the worlds. Johnny Depp would have played this role at the drop of a hat. He walks through it with relative ease leaving you awestruck as he plays this devious wizard trying to gain control. His eyes portray pain and desperation which only amplifies his supreme power.

Jude Law is introduced as a young Dumbledore and comes as a whiff of fresh air in an otherwise weird world of FANTASTIC BEASTS. His fondness and the relation he shares with Grindelwald as kids (read GAY) is carefully woven into the story. They're bound by blood he says; but it's a very interesting take with a very powerful and central character (can't actually wait for the next part; to discover this aspect)

All the characters from the first film return with new ones added. And of course, new FANTASTIC BEASTS are added, and, I must say, they're quite FANTASTIC.

The screenplay tends to slow down every now and then. But that can be excused as it's only preparing the audience for a climax which is almost POETIC as Grindelwald takes centre stage and wreaks havoc. Take a bow Johnny Depp; he plays devious with so much ease (Seen before in Public Enemies and Black Mass). Good old Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is great as always but the real hero of the film is the incredible imagination of the team and insane CGI (probably better done than MCU).

The detailing is so immaculate and the story is so convoluted with the wizardry universe that you don't want to miss out even on a single frame.

The good part is that it includes a larger audience base as it isn't related to the Harry Potter universe directly in anyway. You watch the first film and you're on board.

The first film was about protecting Credence (Ezra Miller) and this one is about liberating him. The scene where he finds out about his mother really did give me goosebumps.

A great watch. Do not miss it. Watch it in IMAX (For an enhanced experience) and if possible, watch the 1st movie and go in for this one.

Hats off to the amazing J K ROWLING.