If you grew up in the pages of the wizarding world like this Potterhead, hearing there are going to be five new movies filmed was as exciting as receiving your Hogwarts letter (if only!) And in traditional J K Rowling fashion, the movie is filled with uplifting friendship, quirky encounters and courageous deeds.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is full of Harry Potter feels, intriguing new characters and some familiar villains. These were my favorite and familiar feels brought on by the newest of Rowling's creations:
1. The Importance of Embracing Yourself Fully
One of my all time favorite and comforting things about J.K. Rowling's writing is the constant reminder that we are all different and that it's good that we are different. That aspect of her writing is not left out in this movie and it is encouraging as always. Several of the characters have suppressed their 'undesirable' qualities and the audience sees the turmoil that unfolds as a result.
2. The Importance of Respect and Understanding
It has been a few years since I have read the Harry Potter series but every magical creature that crossed the scene immediately came back into memory. There were many new creatures making appearances as my nostalgic heart swelled under the big screen. Aside from the reminiscences, Newt's admiration of magical creatures and his foresight into the importance of understanding these mystical creates is enviable. Throughout the film Newt Scamander reiterates the magical creatures he has illegally brought to the state are not dangerous, just misunderstood. Kinda like himself...
3. Love Arrives in All Fashions
There are a couple of on screen romances developing during Fantastic Beast, and hopefully they continue in the series. For me Rowling is one of the best authors when it comes to love. Not just romantic love. The kind of love that comes with friendship, compassion, fellowship and the will to triumph over evil! The kind of love that happens beautifully unexpected as seen in Fantastic Beasts and the Harry Potter series, is my favorite type! Seeing these new love stories unfold in the wizarding world brought happy tears to my eyes
4. We All have Demons to Conquer
In our day to day lives we don't typically have the opportunity to heroically conquer dementors or the Dark Lord for example but once you face any fear you feel like a hero afterwards. Like we see often in Harry Potter, having a friend along the way to inspire and encourage you during your fight is the best way to go. And just because you fail in one aspect of life, doesn't mean you cannot thrive in another.
5. Albus Dumbledore
" Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times. If one only remembers to turn on the light." Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
As if this man hasn't given us enough already when it comes to feels! In Fantastic Beasts we are beautifully reminded briefly, through Dumbledore vouching for Scamander, those who don't fit in still belong in this world, magic or not, and deserve to be included regardless of their quirks or perceived annoyingness. Our differences make us special and the piece of us that make us special should never be suppressed because it will usually end up saving the day.
The magical world of Harry Potter wonderfully lives on through the series of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. If you're ready for a walk down memory lane or just and interested muggle (I'll never refer to a non-magical person as a no-maj, sorry I'm not sorry) check out Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them at a theater near you.
