The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them films provide a fresh perspective on the wizarding world. The brilliance of the first Harry Potter films, as well as the expectations of Harry Potter fans for more of the same, will always cast a shadow over these flicks. The films were originally intended to be more about the globe-trotting travels of the book’s author, Newt Scamander, but later changed its course to something else entirely. Of course, the audience expected some alterations, which are unavoidable. However, here are the top 5 instances Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them disappointed Harry Potter fans:
1. No vocal spells are ever used in Fantastic Beasts
In the past few years of Harry Potter, every witch and wizard in the magical community has generally conducted magic through incantations. These spells are evidently so significant that Hermione Granger tries to correct Ron Weasley’s mispronunciation of Wingardium Leviosa in a widely celebrated scene. Encounters like these are a big part of what makes the original films so appealing. The current generation (actually the older one) of Fantastic Beasts wizards, on the other hand, seems unconcerned about this. In the movies, there are almost no spells at all, and when there are, they don’t involve the use of any vocal cords.
2. No exploration of important characters like Credence Barebone
A significant member of the New Salem Philanthropic Society is barely noticeable. Credence is intriguing because he resembles the youthful Severus Snape from Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part II. Furthermore, he has an abused past with Mary Lou always belt-whipping Credence. This only adds to his fascination. Credence, on the other hand, is untouched, leaving us with a terribly diluted character. This isn’t even taking into account Credence’s odd, one-sided bond with Percival Graves. It would have been good to see more of that.
3. Where the hell is Dumbledore in the first part and why doesn’t he have more screen time?
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is one of the most prominent characters who is mostly absent from the first film. There are multiple explanations why this incredibly intelligent man was required to appear in this film. One of the most significant is that there should have been some form of a link connecting all of the original eight films and the introductory prequel film. Why wait until the later films to introduce Dumbledore, when it was previously known that he would play a major part in the new Wizarding World, as detailed in Rita Skeeter’s The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore?
4. How do the beasts flee Newt’s case when there’s a whole world inside it?
Do they find a crack in the ground or an opening that they can see in the sky? Furthermore, why and how are they always escaping? Newt’s briefcase has an unpleasant clasp that refuses to stay locked throughout the film. It’s amusing at first, but it quickly devolves into something more like never-ending heartburn. All that “clicking” signifies is that another animal is ready to break out and run amok in New York. But does Newt not know any magic spells to keep his bag closed? Hermione’s Reparo spell comes to mind; alas, she’s not born yet!
5. Rons & Hermione’s outrage with each other “Are you a witch/wizard or not?” often comes to mind while watching this movie
Repeating the last point, Why doesn’t Newt lock his briefcase with magic? Why can’t Newt just learn some beast-catching spells instead of running behind them like a bloody Muggle? Why didn’t the ministry kill the witches and wizards on trial by the traditional Unforgivable Curse/Avada Kedavra method? (Not that we support murder, but at least do something right!) Several scenes in the prequel movie made the Potterheads go mad in their heads with annoyance and frustration.
