Review by terrellrobinson71

In the last 3 and a half years after reviewing "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald", a lot has changed. Really changed. In the midst of all of that, COViD happened, then a lot of scandals involving J. K. Rowling, Johnny Depp and, more recently, Ezra Miller got revealed all over the world. Suddenly, everybody is turning their backs at the Wizarding World, waiting to see Rowling, Warner Bros., or both to fail for their crimes of humanity. To keep this review drama & gossip free, let me make this perfectly clear: I may not agree with the certain views of people, but the one thing I do respect however is the power of the written word. The Harry Potter series have always been a part of my life and with the case now with the third "Fantastic Beasts" film, these books and movies have always gave me the most important message: In the face of danger and in a world that still doesn't know how to respect those who are different to society, we can't face everything all by ourselves, we have to have those that are pure of heart to help us and guide us through the path. Moving right along to "The Secrets of Dumbledore", this is the one that will be the ultimate make-or-break scenario for this crisis-filled franchise, but I think it's the right rebound. In fact, this is the best of the three, so far. It may lack a little cohesion that the enchanting first one had, but it's a genuine improvement than the good, but really overstuffed "The Crimes of Grindelwald". Dumbledore, as once again played by the remarkable Jude Law, knows that evil wizard (and his former lover) Grindelwald, this time played by the ubiquitously awesome Mads Mikkelsen, is formulating a major plan to lead the Wizarding World and to cause war between the Muggles and the Wizards. To do that, Dumbledore elists the help, once again, of Magizoologist Newt Scamadner (Eddie Redmayne) and his Auror brother, Theseus.(Callum Turner), Newt's secretary, Bunty (Victoria Yeates), the French wizard Yusuf Kama (William Nadylam), Ilverymorny Professor Eulalie Hicks (the phenomenal Jessica Williams) and, of course, the Muggle baker, Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler, a genuine scene-stealing prescence) on a very dangerous task to try to overthrow and confuse Grindelwald. Meanwhile, Credence (Ezra Miller) and Queenie (Alison Sudol, beautifully heartbreaking) are on Grindelwald's side but having some difficulties that blurs the line between good and evil, forcibly. All that leads to the epic climax at the Himalayan Mountains, where our big baddie is trying to botch a very big and important election for the International Convention of Wizards so he can rule. But, knowing this secret-filled Dumbledore, he never misses a trick. "The Secrets of Dumbledore" is the one that I've been waiting for; a movie that finally connects this franchise to the "Harry Potter" series in the most subtle, unexpected ways. J. K. Rowling (along with the help of Steve Kloves, who wrote all (but one) Harry Potter movies) has managed to put together a plot that is still complicated, but is more streamlined this time around. Director David Yates and his incredible cast keeps the energy humming with moments that ranges from emotionally heartfelt (the relationships between Dumbledore, Aberforth, his brother and Grindelwald) to funny (a prison escape and a dinner party that goes comedically wrong) to "OMG, I did NOT see that coming". I even like that some of Newt's fellow beasts including Teddy, the thieving niffler and Pickett, the sensitive Bowtruckle get some major moments too. In light of everything that is going dark in the world right now, the "Fantastsic Beasts" has been a real pick-me-up for me. It brought me back to a time of joy, magic, bravery, hope and wonder, the kind of things we all need in this hate-filled world. I sincerely hope that the series continues and I want to see how it will all come together in the end. And I certainly hope that audiences around the world avoid the negative buzz that's been clouding this series and see it for themselves. Until then, as Dumbledore once said: "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."