More of this would’ve been most welcome, but instead Rowling and co take us into a more sombre second half that doesn’t do the usual Hollywood trick of cranking up the pace to relentless speeds. With such a gloomy atmosphere enveloping the film, it’ll come as no surprise to learn the standout scene is one of comic relief - as Newt and Theseus evade some scorpion-like critters in a cavernous space by adopting the sort of pose you might see in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Alongside him is Credence (Ezra Miller), who - like Queenie - has lost his way, left spellbound by Grindelwald. Filming in muted colours, Yates does little to play down the comparisons.Įarly on, Dumbledore implores Anton Vogel (Oliver Masucci), the German Minister of Magic, to “do what is right, not what is easy”, but “insufficient evidence” is found to convict Grindelwald of his crimes, thus clearing the way for him to stand for election as the Head of the International Confederation of Wizards - a position that will facilitate his grasp for power. With scenes set in Berlin, Grindelwald’s amassed forces and fascist-like rhetoric (“the world will hear our voice and it will be deafening,” he claims) boast less-than-subtle allusions to pre-Second World War Europe. Scripted by Rowling and regular Potter scribe Steve Kloves, The Secrets of Dumbledore is quite a downbeat film in many ways. Mads Mikkelsen as Gellert Grindelwald in 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'. At least Dumbledore has the good grace to give him his very own wand to play with. Reluctantly, he has no choice but to join Newt and co to bring Queenie to her senses. The baker from Queens - a so-called 'muggle' with no magic powers - had quite the time in the earlier films, not least losing the love-of-his-life Queenie (Alison Sudol) to Grindelwald’s army. It is Hicks who is tasked with convincing Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) to join them on this risky quest. The only way is to hatch a series of plans to confuse him.Ĭentral to this will be Newt Scamander, the Magizoologist played by Eddie Redmayne (and, yes, Pickett, the ‘stick-bug’ that sits in his top pocket, and the fluffy Niffler that hides in his suitcase, are ever present).Īlso a part of the crack team to take down Grindelwald are Newt’s cocksure brother Theseus (Callum Turner) and charmingly besotted assistant Bunty (Victoria Yeates), as well as wizard Yusuf (William Nadylam) and Professor Eulalie Hicks (Jessica Williams, playing the role with real swagger). The Dark Wizard can see snatches of the future, making him almost impossible to defeat. As Dumbledore gathers a team to stop Grindelwald at all costs, it’s not going to be easy.

The secrets of dumbledore