“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”

Susan Granger’s review of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (Warner Bros.)

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When Harry Potter studied at Hogwarts, one of his textbooks was “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” by Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). So Newt’s story is an imaginative prequel.

Newt, a British Magizoologist, travels to New York City in 1926, arriving on Ellis Island with a bottomless satchel of supernatural creatures, several of which escape, thrusting nerdy Newt into the company of Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a gullible, good-natured No-Maj (American for Muggles).

They’re spotted by Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson), an astute ex-Auror who’s eager to regain her Investigator post. Members of the Magical Congress of the United States (MACUSA) are strictly segregated and secretive, hidden within a skyscraper (the Woolworth Bldg.).

Its immense Magical Exposure Threat Level Barometer is color-coded at Orange for “severe unexplained activity” because sinister, manipulative Dark Wizard Gellert Grindlewald is on the loose. Pressure is heightened by fanatical witch hunters, Second Salemers, led by bigoted Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton).

One of her troubled acolytes, Credence (Ezra Miller), tips off Director of Magical Security Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), who becomes suspicious, forcing Newt and Tina to flee with Jacob and Tina’s mind-reading sister, Queenie (Alison Sudol).

Their chaotic travels take them through the Lower East Side, Central Park and a stylized Jazz Age speakeasy run by Goblin Gnarlak (Ron Perlman), to a confrontation in Manhattan’s old City Hall subway station.

Based on her own mythology, screenwriter J.K. Rowling, working with longtime “Harry Potter” director David Yates and cinematographer Phillipe Rousselot, touches on timely xenophobia (paranoia leading to prejudice and intolerance), while focusing on conservationist Newt’s magical CGI menagerie.

There’s naughty, duck-billed Niffler, who loves shiny, sparkly objects; sprig-like Pickett, the devoted Bowtruckle; the hulking, rhino-like Erumpent; the explosive Obscurus; and Arizona’s majestic Thunderbird – among others.

But Redmayne’s mumblings are often incoherent and it’s overly long – with four episodes to come.

On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is an engaging, enchanted 8, a fun-filled return to the wizarding world.

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